By
M.Sc. Nutrition & Dietetics
Navneet Kaur
Diet
The new year is approaching and you must have started preparing for the celebrations. Here are the top healthy sugar alternatives to refined sugar for your party desserts and sweets.
It is a plant-based non-caloric sweetener derived from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana.
Monk fruit sweetener is derived from the Siraitia grosvenorii plant. It does not have any calories and hence does not impact blood sugar levels.
They are naturally sweet, delicious, and a good source of nutrients like dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, manganese, vitamin A, B6, and antioxidants. One can add them to cakes, bars, cookies, and muffins.
The glycemic index of honey is low than refined sugar, making it a better option. It is packed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
It is derived from sugarcane or palm. Jaggery is considered good for digestive health and is a powerhouse of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Another guilt-free way to sweeten your food is using fresh fruits like banana and applesauce, or in dried form like dried berries, kiwi, pineapple, etc.