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Natural Sugar Substitutes Made From Sugar

If you are trying to kick the sugar habit but miss its sweet taste, don't despair. There are plenty of natural sugar substitutes available to sweeten your foods and beverages. These sugar substitutes contain naturally occurring sugars found in plants. They are much sweeter than table sugar, so less is more. This is great for those watching their caloric intake or for diabetics who must watch their sugar intake.

  1. Agave Nectar

    • Agave nectar comes from the blue agave plant in Mexico. It has a caramel-like consistency. It contains fructose and glucose and is sweeter than honey. Agave is high in calories, so use sparingly. It only takes a small amount to equal the sweetness of table sugar.

    Fructose

    • Fructose occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables and honey. It is sweeter than table sugar, so it only takes a small amount to equal the sweetness of table sugar. Limit your intake of processed foods that contain high levels of high fructose corn syrup. Some research shows that ingesting large amounts of high fructose corn syrup can elevate the lipids that cause heart disease. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and use sparingly as a sweetener and for baking.

    Honey

    • Honey is a popular natural sweetener made from nectar. Honeybees make it. It contains glucose, fructose and sucrose. Different honeys will have different tastes depending on the flower source. Single-blossom honeys include red clover honey and orange blossom honey. Because honey is sweeter than table sugar, you can use less to sweeten beverages. It is high in calories, so use sparingly. Honey also has nutritional properties.

    Sugar Alcohols

    • Sugar alcohols have a chemical structure similar to sugar and alcohol, and are called polyols. They are made from a natural fermentation process using fruit. Two common sugar alcohols are sorbitol and maltitol. They have about half the calories as table sugar. Consume in moderation, however, as eating excessive amounts can cause bloating and diarrhea.

    Xylitol

    • Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that has become quite popular in recent years. Also known as birch sugar, it can be used for baking and sweetening beverages. It has the same sweetness level as table sugar. Some research shows it may promote bone health and help prevent tooth decay and plaque buildup. The only drawback is you could experience gastrointestinal discomfort and diarrhea if you consume too much.

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