Wondering which sugar substitue is better for you? Let us help! We’ve done the research so that all of your questions will be answered in seconds.

We all know that sugar is unhealthy, but did you realize how many different types there are? The list includes white sugar (sucrose), brown sugar, honey, maple syrup and palm fruit sap. No matter which one it may be; our bodies recognize them for what they really mean: sugar with empty calories with no nutritional value whatsoever! Eating too much will lead us through an assortment of dental cavities, some bone fractures, some cancers, heart disease or diabetes II – and if that isn’t enough diseases like obesity. And don’t forget about those studies being done now on whether excessive sugar consumption contributes towards brain damage.

You cannot get away from sugar.  Sugar is in three-quarters of all packaged foods at our grocery stores today.

We all have a natural desire to seek out sugar. Evolutionary why we craved sweets is so we would eat fruit.  It’s in our DNA, and when we eat too much of it or continue craving for more after an initial intake of sweets that’s because these desires are evolutionary! But what happens when you reduce your intake on refined carbs like cookies and ice cream? Your taste buds will change with time so they no longer enjoy the same kinds (or levels) of sweet treats as before; instead preferring healthier foods such as vegetables/fruit combo.

“You cannot get away from sugar.  Sugar is in three quarters of all packaged foods at our grocery stores today.  “

And not all fruit was created equal either.  There is a glycemic index to fruit some fruit contains loads of sugar.

Which sugar substitute is right for you?

Which sugar substitute is right for you? That’s what we’re here to help with! Check the following information about all of them so your decision will be more informed than ever before. But if, in general, stevia or monk fruit are probably better choices as a short-term while you are trying to cut down on sugar.

Remember there are no vitamins, no minerals, and no fiber in any sugar substitute and that is why now they are called non-nutritive sweeteners.   Another term used to be an artificial sweetener. Interested in finding the best non-nutritive sweeteners for yourself?  These non-nutritive sweeteners are generally are much sweeter than sugar.  Much, much sweeter on sugar.  The problem with non-nutritive sweeteners is you will still crave sweets and you will have a harder time eating healthy food which is not as sweet.

Non-nutritive sweetners

Packets of artificial sweeteners in glass containers sitting on bright blue wooden table

There is no glucose in stevia or monk fruit, but the brains still perceive non-nutritive sweeteners like sugar.

While there are other types of non-nutritive sweeteners, and each has its own unique set of benefits and drawbacks.  The biggest problem is that most of the studies were funded by the companies that make the product.  And there are few long terms studies. Lots and lots of people do lose weight in the short run substituting non-nutritive sweeteners for sugar.  But they seem to keep it off when they reduce their dependency on non-nutritive sweeteners and develop a taste for healthy food.

There is no glucose in stevia or monk fruit, but the brains still perceive non-nutritive sweeteners like sugar.

But first, a little history as to why the lack of long-term studies might be a problem.   The story starts with Tab which was one of those early diet soda brands.  Hard to believe, back when there were only a few brands.   Tab, one of the early diet soda brands had cyclamate as well as saccharine.

In 1958  there was the Delaney Clause in the Food Additives Amendment of 1958, which prohibits food additives that have been found to cause cancer.

The  Food and Drug Administration banned the sweetener cyclamate because both cyclamate and saccharin caused bladder cancer in animals studied in labs. Ahh, for the good old days when our government agencies would protect us from ingredients in our artificial sweeteners – that’s what they were called back then!  That was the last time our government stood up to BigFood’s artificial sweeteners now rebranded as non-nutritive sweeteners.

“The FDA determined that  cyclamate and saccharine caused bladder cancer in animals studied in labs.”

Sad to say the government reversed its stance on saccharine after the special interest trade association The Calorie Control Council spent $890,000 for public relations and $1.14 million for congressional lobbying in its first three months to question the science.  Due to a big campaign by BigFood, saccharine was back on the market.  How do we deal with the government’s food groups not dealing with keeping our food safe?  Eat food as close as it comes out of the earth!  And cook at home.  And it is okay to switch sugar to a non-nutritive sweetener to cut out sugar as a temporary measure.

Stevia and Monk fruit for a short time while you are weaning yourself off sugar. Both stevia and Monk fruit can overstimulate your taste buds since it is 100s of time sweeter than sugar.

The result? You will crave sweet food, not healthy food.  But so many people have successfully lost weight by substituting stevia and Monk fruit for sugar, I have to let you know that.   After you lose weight you will be eating healthier so you won’t crave sweets as much.  An apple will be flavorful enough for you.

Stevia the storyline goes was used in Paraguayan rituals for hundreds of years. Not all Stevia is the same and whole-leaf powders have not been approved by the FDA.  Stevia that comes in packets is from a plant the Stevia Rebaudiana plant, but it is over-processed before you get it.

Monk fruit comes from a plant, the Siraitia grosvenorii plant, besides being over-processed it is packed many times with stabilizers, like maltodextrin.  So, check the package to make sure there are no stabilizers in it.

Want to cut down on sugar?  Try substituting these herbs:

  • cinnamon,
  • vanilla,
  • spearmint,
  • anise,
  • nutmeg

You know how it is when you get that sugar craving? Well, people who drink mint or cinnamon tea throughout the day say they can cut down on their cravings. Even better news about this delicious spice: our brain perceives cinnamon as sweet!

Another thing if you are craving sweets you might just be thirsty so try a glass of water and see if that works.

Kick-Your-Sugar-Addiction

Kick your sugar addiction

People will also substitute salt when they are having a sugar craving.  Again, it seems to be easier to cut salt than sugar from your diet.  It is a temporary fix.

And many times when you are stressed you crave sugar!  Try one of the meditations we have listed under the Mindset tab to calm down and see if that helps.

Some sugars are worse for you than plain old sugar or artificial sweeteners.  High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) seems to be in everything here in the United States.

It is super cheap to produce and there are subsidies on top of that.  The United States had the highest per capita consumption of high fructose corn syrup.  In a study, the higher the consumption of high fructose corn syrup the higher the diabetes rates.  In the most recent International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas 11 percent of the population of the United States (aged 20-79 years) have diabetes. America has the highest level of diabetes in the world.

We all know sugar is hidden in everything, including foods labeled “healthy,” “vegan,” “low fat,” “all-natural,” “diet” and other misleading labels.

High fructose corn syrup is so bad for you it is restricted in Australia, China, Denmark, France, India, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay.  All the countries where diabetes is not as prevalent.  In other words, all the countries that care about the health of their populations restrict the use of high fructose corn syrup.

To clarify there is too much high fructose corn syrup in our processed foods here in the United States.  It’s not entirely you – it is BigFood.  Because our food agencies are not going to help you out.

There are over 200 ways to say sugar in our world.  We all know we should cut down on white sugar.  We all know sugar is hidden in everything, including foods labeled “healthy,” “vegan,” “low fat,” “all-natural,” “diet” and other misleading labels.

What will be the magic sugar in 2022?

Periodically, BigFood promotes a new “magic sugar” for us.  Just a few years ago it was agave.  Agave was all the rage for a while.  But it turns out it was just BigFood trying to get us to buy agave.

By following a healthy diet, drinking more water, and avoiding processed foods, and with the support of your community making you aware, you can easily cut down on the amount of sugar in your diet. And if you need a little help, we’ve got plenty of delicious recipes that are free from added sugars. Visit DietCommunity.com today to learn more about quit sugar classes and sugar-free recipes!

With DietCommunity.com, eating healthy has never been easier!

If you want to cut down on your sugar intake, DietCommunity.com can help. We provide information and support from people just like you who are living a healthy lifestyle by cutting back on refined sugars. It is so tough to reduce your sugar intake, but DietCommunity.com can help.  Sign up today for one of the free meetings and get started on your journey to better health by reducing the sugar in your life!

“Visit DietCommunity.com now to learn more!”