low glycemic index sweetener

Guilt-free Sweeteners

by LoseTheGuilt

Fat, oil, carbs, and sugar. These are the most popular items that should be avoided when on a strict body fat loss diet. But what if I told you that you can have these even when you’re on a weight lossdiet? Just know that there is bad fat and there is good fat like Omega-3. Carbs are a good source of energy so it is a staple. The only bad thing about it is having too much. The same goes to sugar. Too much sugar can really be unhealthy. But it’s hard to avoid sugar especially since many dishes call for the sweet stuff. So here are some sweet healthier alternatives that you can use:

Stevia rebaudiana flowers

Stevia – From the stevia herb, stevia is being praised by many for being calorie-free and for its low glycemic index yet it is 200-300 times sweeter than refined sugar. Native to Paraguay, stevia has been used for many centuries.
Coconut Palm Sugar – Coming from the nectar of the coconut tree, coconut palm sugar has a similar taste and texture to brown sugar. And no, it doesn’t taste like coconut.
Sucanat – Offering a rich, molasses flavor, sucanat is organic dehydrated sugar cane juice. It is sugar in its purest form. It is made of many nutrients.
Raw honey – Notice the word “raw”? That’s because processed honey has been stripped off of the antioxidants and natural enzymes included in this natural sweetener. But take note that it has a high fructose content.
Maple syrup – Similar to honey, this natural caramel-tasting sweetener derived from the sap of maple trees is healthy in a sense that it naturally contains minerals. Just make sure to opt for the unprocessed or low-processed versions.
Agave Nectar – Also containing a low glycemic index, agave nectar or agave syrup is a popular sweetener. Derived from the Agave Americana and tequiliana plants, this nectar is sweeter than honey but is thinner in consistency compared to honey.
Coconut nectar – Coconut nectar has a low glycemic index (35) and is in rich in nutrients. Watch out and avoid highly processed ones.

Remember that a healthy lifestyle does not always call for total abandonment of the most scorned food items. Just avoid the more refined or processed versions of food items. Substituting can be a great healthy method. Make sure everything is in moderation or better yet, balanced. A balanced diet (Remember the food pyramid?) is what describes a healthy eating lifestyle.