In the newest segment of Cupa Cabana TV – Marianne Cordillo discusses refined sugar and its unfortunate prevalence in the typical U.S. diet. The good news? There are healthy sugar substitutes that will allow a sweeter beverage, without the health issues.

See the video here and feel free to let us know if there is a healthy sugar substitute you prefer, and if we don’t have it on here – maybe we’ll just have to create a Part 2 to this sweet subject!

Enjoy!

 

Transcription

Welcome to Cupa Cabana TV. Today we’re discussing traditional sugar substitutes and some healthier options.

On average, a typical American consumes 165 pounds of sugar a year. This is a 4-pound bag of sugar. That’s over 41 of these every year. It’s the leading cause of tooth decay, obesity, and other health issues. White sugar is refined, enriched and bleached, causing many to question the effects of rampant consumption.

Sugar substitutes are not new by any means. However, today we see healthier options and alternatives to those of the past. High fructose corn syrup, saccharin, aspartame, and sucralose are the most common substitutes. Walk into any cafe, diner, or coffee shop, and you’ll see Equal, Sweet ‘N Low, and Splenda. All of these at one point or another have come under fire by the health community, with claims that they cause cancer, weight gain, and other debilitating illnesses. Most of these claims have been refuted by the FDA, but is it really worth the risk? Here are seven healthier options that we recommend.

Stevia, or monk fruit extract. Derived from plants, these extracts are naturally sweet, and found in most common supermarkets. Truvia is an example of these. Agave nectar. Every tequila lover understands the power of this magical plant.

Good news. This plant produces a nectar similar to honey in texture and taste. A few drops will naturally sweeten coffee and tea.

Date sugar. This is a newer offering, consisting of ground and pulverized dates. It’s a great option for baking, as it won’t burn, like some other options we’ll mention. Just use two-thirds the amount the recipe calls for.

Coconut sugar. High in iron, potassium and antioxidants, this option isn’t sweet enough for coffee, but it’s another excellent baking option, as it will not affect the consistency of your mixture.

Molasses. Molasses is a syrup byproduct of the sugar refining process. Just a few drops will sweeten any beverage. Also, two tablespoons contain 30% of your daily recommended iron and potassium. It promotes healthy hair and provides antioxidants.

Pure maple syrup. No, Aunt Jemima is not included in this. Pure maple syrup contains manganese and zinc, which boost your immune system.

Honey. Although honey contains more calories than sugar, sweetening your beverages will require much less. Honey also promotes healthy immune systems, and using local honey is said even to help curb the allergies of some.

Thanks for watching today. Next time you go to sweeten your coffee, or you bake, please consider some of these healthier options. And if you have any other ideas, please leave them in the comments section below.

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