Smart Ways To Sweeten Foods Without Using Sugar

If you hope to optimize your health, one of the key things you’ll want to be focusing on is making sure you are watching your overall sugar intake. Sugar is one of the worst things you can be putting into your body as it will pose a great threat to your health. Many people love sugar and hate to cut it out, but if you are really serious about promoting overall health, it’s something you have to take seriously.

The good news is this doesn’t mean you have to suffer from a lack of sweetness in your life. If you have a strong sweet tooth and are constantly faced with that urge to indulge, there are ways to do so without having to overconsume sugar.

Let’s look at a few points to keep in mind so you can see how many of these you can work into your diet plan.

Add Fruit

First, consider adding some fruit to your meal plan. Fruit brings in a good deal of sweetness and while it does contain sugar, it’s a naturally occurring form of sugar that also packs in some dietary fiber and nutrients.

This means it’s an ideal option for anyone who is interested in improving their health and combating cravings. Think of it as eating a sweet without the guilt!

If you do suffer from blood sugar issues, you should always pair fruit with a food that contains protein or dietary fat in order to prevent a spike in your blood glucose level and the crash that follows.

Fruit is also quite low in calories, all in all, so this is yet another reason why it’s a smart addition to your menu.

Try adding fruit to salads, making a sauce from it, or serving it with your yogurt at lunch rather than having a sweetened variety.

There are so many ways to incorporate fruit into your meal preparation so start experimenting with it today. You don’t just have to eat it plain on its own.

Stir In Protein Powder

If you are looking to stay away from carbs entirely, another option is to consider stirring in some protein powder. Protein powder comes in a wide variety of different flavors so whether you’re looking for chocolate, vanilla, or something different, you’re sure to find one that fits your needs.

Protein powder can also be used in a number of different ways. You might think that you can only prepare a shake with it, but it can easily be added to yogurt, prepared into bars, muffins, or squares, made into a pancake, or used to create a chocolate bark treat as well.

There are literally thousands of different recipes online that you can find to help give you some ideas about using protein powder, so be sure to check some out for yourself.

Many people are seriously lacking in protein in their diet plan so this option will completely eliminate that issue. Add one or two scoops to your food during the day, and you’ll quickly have your needs met.

Opt For Stevia

Chances are, along with staying away from sugar, you may also want to stay away from artificial sweeteners. It can be easy to think that these are the next best thing since they are calorie and carb free, but they are chemicals that you’re putting into your body and have been shown to have a number of unwanted side effects.

So, while they may not spike blood glucose levels, they still aren’t desirable.

Instead, consider stevia. Stevia is a natural sweetener you can use that is made from a plant and won’t contain the carbs that sugar does. It’s very sweet so only a little is needed. It’ll instantly add that sweetness to your foods that you’re looking for.

Consider Veggies

It may seem odd to recommend vegetables in an article talking about adding more sweet foods to your diet, but certain vegetables, namely carrots and bell peppers, do have a natural sweetness to them.

Like fruits, they contain naturally occurring sugars, so they are a healthier choice to be adding to your diet plan. They won’t contain as much sugar as fruit does though, so if you are really looking to keep your carbs on the lower end of things, these tend to be a better option.

Both of those vegetables are also great eaten raw, and they pack in some serious crunch. Serve them with a delicious dip and you’re all set.

Consider Cinnamon

Finally, you might consider adding cinnamon to your menu. Cinnamon is a great spice that offers a number of powerful health benefits and will help to naturally add sweetness and flavor.

Cinnamon also helps provide greater blood glucose control when consuming carbohydrates, so this makes it a perfect option for those who are diabetic or who are trying to reduce insulin fluctuations after meals.

A little sprinkling will do the trick, and this flavor works great with so many foods. Get out of thinking that cinnamon is only for desserts, baked goods, and breakfast foods. Start trying to incorporate it into your main course meals, and you’ll soon see just how versatile it can be.

So, there you have some fast and easy ways to make cutting sugar out of your diet easier. If you’re make a serious and conscious effort to minimize your sugar intake, there is absolutely no reason you can’t do so without feeling deprived or restricted.