Unboxed: 9 new natural sweeteners to replace sugar
With attributes such as “keto friendly” and “zero calorie,” these new natural sweeteners replace sugar with few to no calories and score low on the glycemic index.
March 9, 2020
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In the sweetener world, allulose is referred to as a game-changer. Allulose is a rare sugar or monosaccharide naturally found in figs, raisins and kiwi. This keto-friendly offering tastes like sugar but has 0 grams net carbs per serving, zero calories and no glycemic impact on blood sugar. An added bonus? It has no bitterness or aftertaste. Wholesome Allulose is a certified non-GMO liquid sweetener that is easy to add to coffee, tea, smoothies, oatmeal and even baked goods. SRP: $7.99 (11.5 ounces)
It’s hard to beat the unique flavor of this first-ever organic and refined-sugar-free pomegranate molasses. It’s made with just two pure ingredients: pomegranate juice concentrate and medjool dates. Low on the glycemic index, you can drizzle it on salads (like balsamic vinegar), use it in marinades and braises, on toast or even in cocktails. It's also one of the few natural sweetener options to be USDA-certified organic. SRP: $14 (8.8 ounces)
Made with naturally occurring isomalto-oligosaccharide (IMO) and added stevia extract, this keto-friendly, fiber-rich syrup offers a sweet taste with few to no calories. IMO is made with a mixture of short-chain carbohydrates and is thought to have digestion-resistant properties and encourage the growth of “good” gut bacteria. It occurs naturally in foods such as rice miso and soy sauce. Use Sweet Like Syrup in coffee or on breakfast waffles or as a substitute for corn syrup. SRP: $9.99 (8.8 ounces)
NuNature 100% date syrup is exactly that—made with the nutrient-dense, natural sugar derived from dates. It contains less sugar than honey, agave or maple syrup. And unlike honey, it’s safe for babies younger than 1. Use in baked goods, smoothies, hot drinks and marinades, or on pancakes and oatmeal. SRP: $8.99 (12.3 ounces)
Certified by NSF and the Non-GMO Project, Purecane is made with erythritol and fermented sugarcane. This combination serves up a zero-calorie sweetener with no bitter aftertaste. A box of Purecane comes with 100 packets that each contain approximately 1.3 grams of Purecane. These are travel friendly and perfect to sprinkle over cereal or into a cup of coffee. Each packet is about as sweet as 1 teaspoon of table sugar. SRP $10.99 (100 packets, 1.3 grams each)
Pyure’s organic sugar-free flavored dessert syrups will put the yum back into desserts without the guilt that comes with regular sugar. Available in chocolate, caramel and strawberry flavors, these syrups are vegan and high in fiber. Drizzle them on desserts, breakfast waffles or pancakes. SRP: $8.99
Whole Earth recently unveiled two new offerings. Whole Earth Infusions is a new line of zero-calorie, keto-friendly stevia and monk fruit sweeteners, each infused with wellness ingredients turmeric, collagen peptides and MCT. These come in easy on-the-go packets to add to food or beverages. Whole Earth Allulose Baking Blends are designed to replace sugar in baking. It measures like sugar but with no calories and no net carbs per serving.
This syrup is produced exclusively with cane sugar, which gives it a robust, smooth taste. It contains 25 mg of full-spectrum hemp extract per recommended serving without having any detectable hemp taste or smell. Add it to drinks or recipes and the patent-pending, rapid-release infusion is aimed to deliver results in 2-15 minutes. SRP: $19.99 (2 ounces)
Like the brand’s other products, this new allulose sweetener has been certified by the Clean Label Project, meaning that it has been tested in an accredited laboratory for 130 harmful environmental contaminants and toxins. It also contains just three ingredients: allulose, prebiotic fiber from chicory root and monk fruit extract, for a zero calorie, zero sugar and zero carb sweetener experience.
Like the brand’s other products, this new allulose sweetener has been certified by the Clean Label Project, meaning that it has been tested in an accredited laboratory for 130 harmful environmental contaminants and toxins. It also contains just three ingredients: allulose, prebiotic fiber from chicory root and monk fruit extract, for a zero calorie, zero sugar and zero carb sweetener experience.
As consumers learn more about the negatives effects of sugar, new natural sweeteners are helping to save the day. Americans have long had a love affair with sugar. But the truth is, most Americans consume way too much sugar. The World Health Organization recommends that sugar account for 10% or less of daily calories. The American Heart Association recommends women consume no more than 6 teaspoons of added sugar per day, and men consume no more than 9 teaspoons. Yet, the average American consumes approximately 17 teaspoons of sugar per day—roughly 57 pounds of added sugar annually.
The result? A host of health problems. A high consumption of sugar is associated with escalating diabetes and obesity rates, inflammation, suppressed immune function and heart disease, among other ailments. A 15-year study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine outlined that individuals who consume 25% or more of their calories from sugar more than double their risk of dying from heart disease.
But Americans are catching on. Research shows that 70% of Americans are concerned about their sugar intake. Still, cutting out sugar entirely is easier said than done. Sugar is estimated to be in 73% of packaged foods—everything from pasta sauces to cereals and yogurts. It’s hard to get away from. Not to mention, we like its taste.
Approximately 50% of Americans say they want to reduce their sugar intake and are actively looking for substitutes. Lucky for them, new varieties of natural sweeteners enter the market every day. These “keto friendly,” “diabetes friendly” or “zero calorie” alternatives taste great while serving up few to no calories. They also tend to score low on the glycemic index. With these offerings, it's easier to have your sweets and eat them too. Take a look at nine of the newest natural sweeteners.
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