Many people are becoming health conscious today and are looking for healthier ways to cook and prepare their meals. Knowing the impact of how some processed foods and large amounts of sugar can harm our brains and mood can significantly propel many of us towards making the changes and adapting to a new lifestyle. Reducing sugar intake can be tough for some people, especially if you have a sweet tooth. Thankfully there are some other options available that are equally tasteful and delicious that you can decide to implement in your diet.
What are Liquid Sweeteners?
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Beyond, the world of granulated raw sugar, there are other alternatives known under the name liquid sweeteners. These types of sweeteners are mostly used in baking as they help the dough retain better texture, flavour, and bulk. They contain 25 to 35% of water and are packed with complex, layered flavors.
If you’re looking for a healthier substitute to regular granulated sugar, I’ve made a rundown of some of the best products that you can decide to use in your favourite baking recipes without feeling guilty that you’ve sabotaged your efforts of sticking to a sugar-free and healthy lifestyle.
Which Liquid Sweeteners are the Best?
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These days, there are numerous varieties of liquid sweeteners to select from. Some of the most common ones are raw honey, agave nectar, coconut syrup, maple syrup, can syrup, molasses, and many more. Aside from the fact that they are organic and contain fewer calories than many artificial forms of sugar, they help enhance the flavour, and have many nutritional benefits for the human body. So, let’s take a closer look at some of these types of liquid sweeteners so you will know what to expect when baking with them.
Organic Maple Syrup
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If you are looking for ways to cook and prepare delicious sweet recipes for yourself or family members you may want to consider using one particular type of liquid sweetener, namely the organic maple syrup. Among the many natural liquid sweeteners, the natural organic maple syrup can help you stick to your healthy living plans while indulging in some delicious and healthy meals. You can simply replace one cup of white sugar with 3/4 cup of maple syrup when preparing your meals and recipes.
You also need to be aware that since this liquid has some dark brownish colour, most of your baked goodies can turn brown quicker. This liquid differs from some other types of sweeteners for its distinctive robust flavor that leaves a strong hint of the syrup behind. Therefore you need to be mindful of the grade of the flavour you are using. For instance, grade B maple syrup has a very strong taste so you may need to consider using a grade A maple syrup that has a more subtle taste that won’t dominate your recipe.
Raw Organic Honey
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Honey is a pretty popular liquid sweetener that is a great substitution for using highly processed sugar. Besides, honey is much healthier than sugar and it’s very well known for the abundant health benefits it offers. However, you need to know which attributes make the brand worth buying as some stored jars on the market are packed with lots of sugar that detract from the honey quality. Natural liquid sweeteners such as honey are sweeter than many types of sugar, so usually less is needed to achieve the same results.
This type of sweetener is applied for adding additional moisture to many baked goodies, such as bread, muffins, cakes, and pies. A good rule of thumb when cooking with liquid honey is to subtract 1/4 cup of liquid elsewhere for every cup of honey used. Still using it in its raw form is much more beneficial as cooking with honey will definitely lower its quality, making it lose many of its essential enzymes and nutrients.
Liquid Stevia
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If you are especially careful about your calorie intake you may decide to use liquid stevia which is considered a great alternative for raw sugar. By replacing the sugar in your baking recipe with a natural liquid stevia extract you’d be able to make baked goodies with the exact same sweetness but much healthier. Since stevia is much sweeter than regular sugar you may need to consider using less of it.
For instance, if your recipe requires the usage of one cup of sugar you will only need to use a tablespoon of liquid stevia as a substitute to attain the same sweetness. Implementing better and healthier alternatives such as liquid stevia in your diet can help you in maintaining a healthier lifestyle, by eliminating the need for eating highly processed sugary treats. Moreover, many studies have confirmed the fact that using liquid stevia supplies your body with a myriad of health benefits that will prevent the onset of many health problems, including the risk of becoming obese, developing early tooth decay, or diabetes.
Coconut Nectar Syrup
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Coconut nectar syrup is produced from fresh coconut sap that is turned into syrup and is cultivated naturally. The raw coconut nectar is rich in many vitamins, minerals such as potassium, magnesium, zinc, and iron. It also contains a wide spectrum of essential amino acids, vitamin C and varieties of other elements such as phosphorus and B vitamins.
It’s a versatile product that makes a great baking ingredient and a much healthier alternative to sugar. If you haven’t baked goodies with raw coconut nectar, you must give it a go. It has lower fructose content that makes it easily absorbed and digested by your liver which is one of the reasons so many people use it in their recipes.
Given the fact that it contains a much lower glycemic index of 35 is mostly used for diabetics and people who want to use healthier substitutes of sugar that will regulate their sugar levels instead of having to fight the endless battle of insulin spikes and crashes. When used in moderation, this type of sweetener can help you bake your perfect guilt-free cookies and enjoy eating healthier, sustainable, and natural alternative to table sugar.
