Craving sweets while on a diet? Here are 7 healthy alternatives to refined sugar

Dieters with a sweet tooth have to deal with their craving for sweet during their diet. Their awareness of the adverse effects of sugar makes most of them reduce their sugar intake. This is done to lose weight and lead a healthier lifestyle. Some however find it difficult to resist their urge of consuming sweets and are tempted by them. To overcome this difficulty here are 7 healthy sugar alternatives that maybe used whilst on a diet –

1.Jaggery

Jaggery, a by-product of sugar cane, is a healthy sugar substitute. Though jaggery and sugar are products of sugar cane, there being processed differently causes them to have different effects. Jaggery is considered to be nutritionally better as it contains nutrients like Iron, minerals and fibre. These nutrients are not present in sugar due to it being a refined product. However Jaggery, even though it has healthy nutrients, is high in its calorific value. It should therefore be consumed only in small quantities.

2.Coconut Sugar

Coconut sugar is a plant based sugar derived from the sap of coconut trees. The sweetener is often used in diets as a healthy alternative as it is plant based and minimally processed. The plant based sweetener has an added advantage of having nutrients like Iron, calcium, potassium and zinc . However dieters should bear in mind its high calorific value and therefore consume it sparingly.

3. Cane sugar

Organic cane sugar is considered better than refined sugar as it retains nutrients and vitamins of sugar cane . Being unrefined and minimally processed makes it a healthier sweet alternative for dieters and should be consumed only in small quantities.

4. Stevia

Stevia is a sugar substitute extracted from the stevia plant. It contains less calories than sugar and helps in maintaining weight. It is a great sweet alternative for people on a low-carb and low calorie diet. The plant based sweetener should be used sparingly to reduce any ill-effects.

5.Honey

Honey is yet another sugar substitute . It is heavily loaded with antioxidants and minerals and aids in a healthy body if consumed in limited amounts . It has a low glycaemic index value and hence does not raise blood sugar level as quickly as sugar. These factors make honey a healthy and sweet companion for dieters.

6.Maple Syrup

Maple syrup may be used to replace sugar in your diet as it is a natural product that is plant based and therefore does not have ill-effects of sugar . The syrup is obtained from Maple palm trees and is loaded with prebiotics, minerals and antioxidants. This popular natural sweetener while having benefits should also be consumed only in moderate amounts.

7.Dates

Dates are sweet candies of nature and are also a great substitute for sugar. They are loaded with antioxidants and minerals such as magnesium, potassium , iron and calcium. Even though Dates have a high concentration of sugar in them , they have a lower glycaemic value than sugar . The high fibre content present in them helps to balance sugar levels and makes it an acceptable sugar substitute when consumed in small quantities.