Sugar has a bad reputation as it is often accused of numerous problems, such as cavities, weight gain, or diabetes.
Other natural sugars, such as honey or agave syrup, are not always the ideal solution either, as they are caloric and have a high glycemic index. This means that they cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels, which promotes weight gain and increases the risk of diabetes.
Did you know that it is possible to do without all added sugars, whether natural or not? There are many practical tips for sweetening yogurt, coffee, or homemade pastries without adding sugar. Let’s see closer below.
Add cinnamon
If you like the fragrant taste of cinnamon, don’t hesitate! Use it instead of sugar to sweeten your coffee, tea, or dairy products or to prepare delicious homemade compotes or rice pudding. 1 or 2 pinches are enough.
– It is rich in antioxidants (which help fight against many diseases).
– It is an excellent appetite suppressant.
– It activates the metabolism and helps to regulate blood sugar and cholesterol. Consumed at a rate of 5 g per day after meals, it allows for returning the glycemia more quickly to its reference level.
So many good reasons not to do without it anymore!
Important: half of ground cinnamon is made up of fiber. A teaspoonful provides about 1.3 g of fiber – an ideal way to supplement your intake easily!
Go for vanilla
Naturally sweet, vanilla is a fragrant and delicate spice that can sweeten any dessert. Add a little to your coffee or yogurt, and it will taste sweet. For a really sweet effect, opt for vanilla powder. But then, a pinch is enough!
Vanilla has many health properties: it is soothing and an excellent remedy for stress. It also helps concentration and memory and stimulates digestion.
Good to know: rich in phenols, vanilla is also an excellent remedy to fight against aging.
Use applesauce
Applesauce can be used as a substitute for sugar in dairy products such as yogurts and cottage cheese. It is also ideal for pastries or chocolate mousses.
By adopting this tip, you also benefit from all the goodness of apples: vitamins and fiber in particular (even if applesauce contains less than fresh fruit).
You can use ready-made applesauce (prefer it without added sugar) or prepare it yourself by cooking fresh apples and letting them reduce as much as possible.
Our advice: in the same way, prepare a pear compote!
Give preference to dates
In cakes, especially homemade ones, date purée is ideal for replacing sugar completely (for the same weight). More good news: you’ll benefit from their richness in antioxidants and fiber!
To prepare a date puree:
– Boil 350 ml of water in a saucepan;
– add 500 g of fresh (or dried) dates, pitted and diced;
– let it simmer for about 10 minutes on medium heat;
– Finally, mix and enjoy!
Warning: some dried dates are coated with a sugar syrup. Avoid them.
Think about fruit juices
Fruit juice, especially apple juice, is also an excellent alternative to traditional sweeteners.
To use them in baked goods, reduce them. To do this
– pour 1 l of apple juice (no added sugar, of course, and preferably organic) into a saucepan;
– bring it to a boil over high heat;
– Let it boil for 25 minutes (still on high heat);
– let it cool down.
You will end up with between 180 and 200 g of apple syrup, which can largely replace the same amount of sugar in a cake.
Grated coconut
Grated coconut is ideal for sweetening your desserts!
In addition to giving them a delicate exotic flavor, this oleaginous fruit has many health properties. Rich in fiber, it is also full of minerals such as iron, manganese, and copper. It also contains saturated fatty acids that are beneficial for cardiovascular health, particularly lauric acid, which helps reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol.
You want to read further and know how to reduce your daily sugar consumption as much as possible or because you have diabetes? We have many other tips that are easy to apply!
– How to wean yourself off sugar?
– Which sugar for a diabetic person?
