Kamal Ghorui
A majority of people have a sweet tooth. For some, a meal is incomplete without sweets and for others they can eat sweets any time of the day. Excessive sugar is extremely harmful to the body. It can lead to high blood pressure, weight gain, diabetes, and fatty liver disease. But that doesn’t mean you have to avoid sweets completely, switch to natural sweeteners that are healthy alternatives to sugar. Listed below are a few best natural sweeteners to replace sugar.DateDates are a low-calorie, high-nutrient sugar substitute. Dates are an excellent source of fiber, minerals, and vitamins. But keep in mind that dates are highly sweet, so use them sparingly in your recipes. To prepare date paste, blend a bowl of seedless dates, 1 cup warm water, and 3/4 cup water in a blender. This paste can be served as a chutney with uttapam, chilla, or any other snack.For a sweet taste, it can also be used as a salad dressing. Date energy balls, or laddoos, are highly nutritious and simple to make. Take 1 cup seedless dates, 1/2 cup dry fruits such as almonds and walnuts, and 1/2 cup of seeds such as sesame or pumpkin seeds. In a blender, mix all of the ingredients. Make small balls out of the mixture; this can be eaten for breakfast or as an evening snack.Raisin PasteIf you don’t have dates, you can use raisin or kishmish paste, which is also quite beneficial for your health. Raisins are abundant in Iron- which helps with heart health, Vitamin C- which boosts immunity, Antioxidants- which help with brain function, andFiber- which aids digestion. To prepare a thick and tasty raisin paste, simply blend one cup of raisins and a cup of hot water.You can have raisin paste as a chutney with snacksOr substitute it for refined sugar in breakfast cereals like oatmeal. JaggeryAnother great sugar substitute is jaggery. Jaggery is high in iron, which aids in the prevention of anemia, as well as improving immune function, glucose regulation, and weight loss.Jaggery helps to stimulate the digestive enzymes in our bodies. Have a small piece of jaggery after meals to prevent constipation and aid digestion. You can snack on jaggery and roasted yellow chana, which is also helpful when you have a cold.Add jaggery syrup to your herbal tea or beverages for better taste. HoneyHoney is a natural sweetener, however, it contains more calories than white sugar. Although it has nutritional value, it should be consumed in moderation. Honey is rich in antioxidants, which can help the body fight inflammation. Inflammation can cause several health problems, such as heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. Honey is also used to cure sore throats, and it’s recommended for children. Add a spoon of honey to a glass of warm water and drink it on an empty stomach first thing in the morning for better digestion.It’s warm in nature and is best consumed during winters. Add a spoon of honey to your tea or beverages during a cold climate.If you have a sore throat, a spoon of honey will help you feel better.There are many more natural sweetener options in the market, such as coconut sugar and molasses. However, these sugars are highly processed and very low in nutrition value. It’s just like consuming refined sugar. Switch to these natural sweeteners, but keep in mind that moderation is the key to good health. So consume these natural sweeteners in moderation to avoid any health issues. Authored by: Dr Hansaji Yogendra, The Yoga Institute
