10 Sugar Substitutes That’ll Save Your Health

The first thing that all healthy eating practitioners recommend is cutting down on sugar. We know ourselves that sugar is of little benefit to our health; besides, its energy value is 398 kcal for 100 g. But it’s so hard to renounce all the sweet stuff!

Good news! We at Bright Side have found 10 natural sweeteners that’ll help you easily forget sugar.

10. Coconut sugar

Despite its high energy value, coconut sugar has a low glycemic index (which means it assimilates better) and loads of other benefits. Also, it’s simply delicious — much better than common sugar.

• Where to add: Anywhere instead of sugar.

9. Barley malt

Surprisingly, barley malt is also an excellent substitute for sugar. It boosts your metabolism, reinforces the immune system, and even improves eyesight.

• Where to add: Barley malt is used in baking. It gives the dough a special flavor and a crispy crust.

8. Agave syrup

In spite of being calorific, agave syrup is much sweeter than sugar, which means it can be added in smaller quantities. Of course, it’s also much healthier as it’s rich in potassium, calcium, and iron.

• Where to add: Any beverages and cocktails. It’s not as thick as honey and dissolves perfectly in water.

7. Molasses

Thick and sweet molasses are rich in minerals and B vitamins, tasting so much like sugar that you may not even spot the difference.

• Where to add: Best for baked foods and desserts.

6. Dates

Dates are a wholesome and nutritious fruit, often recommended as a healthy snack. Turns out they can also be used to replace sugar.

• Where to add: Sure, you can’t add them straight into tea or coffee, but they can easily take the place of cookies. Or you can obtain date syrup, and add it to anything you can imagine. There’s also date paste that can be included in dessert recipes.

5. Mulberry syrup

In the East, the mulberry is called "the queen of berries" for its healing properties. Mulberry syrup preserves these properties, plus it gives a specific taste to food.

• Where to add: Beverages and desserts.

4. Sorghum sugar

Produced from the sap of sweet sorghum, sorghum sugar has been used in China since antiquity and is renowned for the health benefits it brings. It also contains about half as many calories as common sugar.

• Where to add: Beverages, dough, desserts.

3. Liquid grape sugar

Grape sugar has been making it to the top recently, threatening to oust common sugar. It even won fame as a means to prolong life. Its strongest points are a low-calorie content, clean production, and wholesome properties.

• Where to add: Beverages, dough, desserts, marinades.

2. Maple syrup

Not just good for pancakes! Being low in calories, it lowers the risk of getting cancer and diabetes. It’s also simply tasty.

• Where to add: Dough, salad dressings, marinades.

1. Stevia

The absolute leader among low-calorie substitutes. Stevia is in great demand with those trying to manage their weight. Not only does it contain a mere 18 kcal per 100 grams but it is also 25 times as sweet as sugar, so you’ll only have to add a tiny bit of it.