Unsweet Advice: What About These Alternatives To Sugar?

November 23, 2008 ↓ Comments (0)

Question:
What are your thoughts and how far away do you stay from the “Dirty Dozen” and do you use any of the recommended sweets? (I tried the brown rice syrup, and that was another thing I couldn’t get used to)
The Dirty Dozen:
1. Dextrose
2. Fructose
3. Sucrose
4. Maltose
5. Corn syrup
6. High fructose corn syrup
7. Malt syrup
8. Honey
9. Molasses
10. Maple syrup
11. Modified food starch
12. Corn starch
Alternatives might include fruit, evaporated cane juice, brown rice syrup, aguava nectar, or natural and less refined sweeteners such as Sucanat and stevia.

Answer:

Most sugar alternatives are simply other forms of sugar with a slightly different chemical make up. Here are my personal feelings about the following forms of sugar. Opinions (and reactions) vary.

1. Dextrose - Occurs naturally. I avoid if added.

2. Fructose - same as above.

3. Sucrose - Same as above.

4. Maltose - Same as above.

5. Corn syrup - Prefer to avoid it.

6. High fructose corn syrup - Absolutely avoid.

7. Malt syrup - I avoid it.

8. Honey - Effects your blood levels. I use sparingly. As a natural alternative it is preferred over chemical sweeteners. Still, I eat very little honey in the course of a year, and all from baking.

9. Molasses - Same as above. Some folks like to use it for cooking. I avoid it.

10. Maple syrup - Same as above. I’ll have it once in a while during breakfast. It will effect your blood sugar.

11. Modified food starch - Sometimes it can’t be avoided easily because it is in so many things, especially if you go out to eat.

12. Corn starch - Same as above.

The other alternatives you mentioned:

Fruit - I love fruit and eat it daily. What a wonderful and natural treat.

Evaporated cane juice - I avoid this completely. It will kick your butt and most certainly changes your blood sugar levels.

Brown rice syrup - Avoid.

Agave nectar - I haven’t used it but hear good things about it. Worth trying.

Natural and less refined sweeteners such as Sucanat and Stevia - I have not tried Sucanat. It’s still sugar, just not so refined, so I’d generally avoid it. I’m looking to try Stevia as I only hear good things about it. At the time of this writing, the US FDA is reviewing Stevia as a sweetener and many food and beverage companies have already invested millions of dollars into using Stevia to sweeten their food and drink products. Stevia has been extensively tested over the past ten years and apparently has many positive health benefits.

Remember, everyone is different and we all react differently to the different types of sugar. For a complete run-down of what’s right for you, consult a doctor or nutritionist. If you’re in good health, you might try eating foods containing these sugars and see how you feel. Journal about your experience.