AS WE know, too much refined sugar isn’t good for us and in an effort to cut back, some people switch to natural alternatives. However, so-called ‘healthy sugar substitutes’ might not be as healthy as you think. Here's a quick look at four…
1. Maple syrup: This has become the ‘healthy’ baking substitute of choice for Instagrammers and food bloggers, thanks to its natural properties. But is it good for you?
“Maple syrup has around three calories per gram, which is one less than table sugar,” explains dietician Sophie Medlin (citydietitians.co.uk). However, she points out that we usually use a lot more syrup as it’s in liquid form. Because of this, we could be unwittingly increasing our calories by opting for syrup.
2. Coconut sugar: Coconut sugar might sound healthy but Medlin says you shouldn’t think of it as any better for you than the refined stuff.
“Coconut sugar sometimes contains prebiotic fibre, which feeds our good bacteria and is linked to slower carbohydrate release,” she says. “That said, you should keep in mind that it’s still going to cause the same tell-tale blood sugar spikes and dental decay that you get with refined sugar.”
3. Honey: Honey contains "trace amounts of useful nutrients such as antioxidants and B vitamins but it still has almost exactly the same effect on our blood sugars and teeth as sugar”, says Medlin. “Just like maple syrup, there may be a tendency to use more of it because we think of it as healthy but it will promote weight gain in the same way as table sugar.”
4. Stevia: If you’re looking to cut down on sugar, many dieticians say stevia is your best bet. “Stevia is made from a plant and is 200-300 times as sweet as table sugar, with very few calories,” explains Medlin. “This means it can provide the sweetness we enjoy from honey, syrups or table sugar, but without promoting weight gain or causing blood sugar spikes.”
The only issue? “Some people notice a bitter or lingering aftertaste with stevia that they don’t experience from other sugars,” says Medlin.
