Accused of many problems, such as cavities, weight gain or diabetes, sugar has a bad press!
Other natural sugars, such as honey or agave syrup, are not always the ideal solution either, as they are caloric and have a high glycemic index (GI). That is, they cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels, which promotes weight gain and increases the risk of diabetes.
Did you know that you can do without all added sugars, whether they are natural or not? There are a number of practical tricks to sweeten your yogurt, coffee or homemade pastries without adding any sugar.
add cinnamon
If you like the scented taste of cinnamon, don’t hesitate! Use it instead of sugar to sweeten your coffee, tea or dairy product, or to make delicious homemade compotes or rice pudding. One or two pinches is enough.
-It is rich in antioxidants (which help fight many diseases).
-It is an excellent appetite suppressant.
-It activates metabolism and helps regulate blood sugar (blood sugar) and cholesterol. Consumed at a rate of 5 g a day after meals, it helps to reduce blood sugar to its reference level more quickly.
So many good reasons to not do without!
Important: Ground cinnamon is made of half fiber. Thus, a small teaspoon brings about 1.3 g of fiber. An ideal way to easily complete your contributions!
Vanilla
Naturally sweet, vanilla is so fragrant and delicate that it can sweeten any dessert. Add it lightly to your coffee or yogurt; it feels sweet. For a really sweet effect, opt for vanilla powder. But then, a pinch is enough!
Vanilla has many health properties: soothing, it is an excellent remedy against stress. It also promotes concentration and memory and stimulates digestion.
Good to know: rich in phenols, vanilla is also an excellent remedy to fight aging.
Use apple sauce
Apple compote, or purée, can be used as a substitute for sugar in dairy products: yogurt, white cheese, etc. But it is also ideal for pastries or chocolate mousses.
By adopting this trick, you also benefit from all the benefits of apple: vitamins and fiber in particular (even if the compote contains less than fresh fruit).
You can use ready-made applesauce (prefer it without added sugar) or prepare it yourself, cooking fresh apples and letting them reduce as much as possible.
dates
In cakes, especially homemade, the date puree is ideal to completely replace sugar (equal weight). Another good news: you will benefit from their wealth of antioxidants and fiber!
To prepare a mashed date:
-boil 350 ml of water in a saucepan;
-add 500 g of fresh dates (or dried) pitted and diced;
-Simmer for about 10 min over medium heat;
-Finally mix and enjoy!
fruit juice
Fruit juices, especially apple juices, are also an excellent alternative to traditional sweeteners.
To be able to use them in pastries, have them reduced. To do this:
Pour 1 l of apple juice (without added sugar of course and preferably organic) in a saucepan;
bring it to a boil over high heat;
Boil for 25 min (always over high heat)
let cool.
You will end up with between 180 and 200 g of apple syrup, which can easily replace the same amount of sugar in a cake.
Grate the coconut
Shredded coconut is ideal for sweetening your desserts!
In addition to bringing them a delicate exotic flavor, this oleaginous fruit also has many health properties. Rich in fiber, it is also full of minerals such as iron, manganese or copper. It also contains saturated fatty acids that are beneficial to cardiovascular health, particularly lauric acid, which would help lower the level of “bad” cholesterol.
Source ooreka