Alternatives for Sugar

When you are looking to reduce sugar from your normal diet, you might want to still 
have ways to sweeten up foods or drinks. While you shouldn’t rely on these to just eat 
the same way you did before, they can be good for a little treat or to have your morning 
cup of coffee. Here are some of the healthier alternatives for sugar.

Stevia

The first alternative for sugar is Stevia, which is one of the best alternative sweeteners 
you can get. Some people will refer to it as an artificial sweetener, but it is actually 
completely natural. This is extracted from leaves of the stevia shrub, which grows 
primarily in South America. The leaves are naturally sweet, so it is a great option when 
you want to sweeten foods or drinks without using sugar. It typically comes in either 
powdered or liquid form, sometimes flavored. 

Natural Sugars

Don’t forget that if you just want something for your sweet tooth without added sugars, 
you can always have fruit or vegetables. These contain natural sugars, so they are not 
considered bad for you. Your doctor might want you to keep within a certain amount of 
natural sugars each day, but for the most part, these are one of the best alternatives to 
sugar out there. Some of the sweeter fruits include strawberries, raspberries, apples, 
bananas, and dates.

Honey

Another option is to use honey, but this is only good if you use it in low amounts and 
you are not trying to stick to a low-carb diet. Honey can sweeten drinks or foods with a 
much more natural resource that doesn’t have added sugars. Just remember to use 
only natural, organic, raw honey and not the bottled kind you get in your local 
supermarket. Look at the label to make sure it doesn’t have any added sugars. If you 
can get local honey, even better!

Maple Syrup

Your last option is to use maple syrup. It can sometimes be a little higher in calories, so 
use it sparingly. However, a little teaspoon added to your coffee or tea makes it sweeter 
without using sugar or preservatives. Like honey, you want to look for a more natural 
option and always check the label to make sure no added sugar is in it. Maple syrup is 
loaded with nutrients, so it’s really good for you as well.

Try these alternatives for sugar to help you get through the sugar detox and learn to live 
without added sugar.
