Who among us doesn’t love sweets? The sweet flavor releases serotonin in our brains, the chemical responsible for our sense of well being and contentment. But when it comes to sweeteners, not all are created equal. There are side effects and health risks from refined sweeteners (like white table sugar and high-fructose corn syrup) and from artificial sweeteners (like NutraSweet, saccharin and Splenda). Refined sweeteners have been stripped of vitamins, minerals and fiber and spike blood sugar, which can often lead to cravings as well as mood and energy fluctuations. Artificial sweeteners are synthetic (chemically developed to imitate natural sweetness) and have been linked to disease in laboratory animals.
This fall, focus on naturally and minimally processed sweeteners. If you start replacing refined sugars and artificial sweeteners with real, whole foods, you will likely reduce your cravings for sugary things.
Here are a few natural sweeteners to substitute in drinks, food and baking. Since they are all approximately 1.5 times sweeter than refined sugar, you can use less. You can easily find these at Janssen’s.
Raw Honey: Honey is one of the oldest natural sweeteners on the market. Honey will have a different flavor depending on the plant source. Some are very dark and intensely flavored. Wherever possible, choose raw honey, as it is unrefined and contains small amounts of enzymes, minerals and vitamins.
Try some Gage honey or pollen made locally in Middletown!
Craig and Adrienne Gage manage this small business along with their four children. Each family member plays a vital role in the business from attending hives to jarring honey. Some great recipes & uses on their website.
Maple Syrup: Maple syrup is the concentrated extract of the sap of maple trees. It adds a rich, deep flavor to foods and drinks. Make sure to look for 100% pure maple syrup, not maple-flavored corn syrup. As with all sweeteners, organic varieties.
Follow FREE & ABEL on Pinterest for some great recipes!
Liz Freeman Abel
Holistic Health & Yoga Coach
twitter @freeman
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