Uncover Hidden Gems in Health and Wellness: Unexplored Resources
Ready for some weekend relaxation? Dive into the latest and greatest from Greatist in the realms of fitness, health, and happiness throughout our weekly roundup of top picks:
*Fifty Shades of Stevia:* A New York City Journey **
Experience life at a different tempo on a voyage from south Central Park to Rockefeller Center in New York City, taking a break from our usually fast-paced lives to appreciate life's little moments.
*Switch Up Your Sweet Tooth with 30 Unconventional Sugar Substitutes *
Bye-bye, refined sugar! Discover more than 30 choices to satisfy your sweet cravings without reaching for the white stuff. Branch out with these unconventional ways to sweeten meals and snacks.
*Holiday Health and Fitness Gift Guide *
Struggling to find the perfect present? This collection caters to last-minute shoppers and those who forgot someone on their list. We've rounded up the best health and fitness gifts, catering to all kinds of enthusiasts.
Enrichment Data:
To cater to diverse tastes and dietary needs, catering to those looking to reduce or eliminate sugar from their diets demands exploration of a range of alternatives. Below, we've curated 30 different sweeteners, categorized for clarity:
- Natural Alternatives:
- Stevia: A sweetener derived from the Stevia rebaudiana plant, which is approximately 200-300 times sweeter than sugar.
- Monk Fruit: Extracted from the Siraitia grosvenorii plant, offering sweetness 150-200 times stronger than sugar.
- Allulose: A low-calorie alternative made from fructose, boasting 70% the sweetness of sucrose.
- Honey: Enjoy as a natural sweetener with antibacterial properties, frequently used in baking or cooking.
- Maple Syrup: Typically derived from maple trees, rich in minerals and providing a unique flavor.
- Coconut Sugar: A sugar alternative made from coconut tree sap, offering a lower glycemic impact and containing minerals like iron and zinc.
- Plant-Based Alternatives:
- Date Sugar: Utilized as a natural sweetener, derived from dried dates, with a rich flavor.
- Molasses: A thick, dark liquid made from refining sugar cane or sugar beets, distinguished by its strong flavor.
- Yacon Syrup: A low-glycemic sweetener crafted from the yacon plant's root, with potential health benefits.
- Sugar Alcohols:
- Maltitol: A sugar substitute commonly used in sugar-free candies and baked goods, which might cause gastrointestinal issues in some individuals.
- Xylitol: A popular sugar substitute found in sugar-free gum and candy, known for its ability to promote dental health.
- Sorbitol: Incorporated as a sugar substitute in sugar-free gum and candies, which can cause gastrointestinal discomfort in some individuals.
- Isomalt: A sugar substitute in sugar-free candies and baked goods, less likely to cause gastrointestinal issues compared to other sugar alcohols.
- Artificial Sweeteners:
- Aspartame: An incredibly popular zero-calorie sweetener found in diet sodas and sugar-free gum, frequently associated with potential health risks.
- Sucralose: A zero-calorie sweetener commonly used in Splenda, often linked to potential health issues.
- Acesulfame Potassium: A zero-calorie sweetener that's frequently utilized in combination with different artificial sweeteners, often tied to potential health risks.
- Advantame: A zero-calorie sweetener derived from aspartame and vanillin, offering a broad range of applications in various products.
- Novel Sweeteners:
- Erythritol: Derived from cornstarch or sugarcane, this low-calorie sweetener does not elevate blood sugar levels.
- Truvia: A blend of stevia and erythritol, frequently utilized in various food products and beverages.
- PureVia: A stevia-based sweetener utilized in different food products and beverages.
- Other Alternatives:
- Lakanto: A sugar substitute crafted from a mixture of monk fruit and erythritol, suitable for baking and cooking.
- Yacon Syrup: Made from the yacon plant's root, low on the glycemic index, and useful in baking or cooking.
- Coconut Nectar: Concocted from sap extracted from coconut trees, containing minerals like iron and zinc, and versatile in baking and cooking.
- Brown Rice Syrup: A sweetener crafted from fermented brown rice, rich in minerals like iron and zinc, applicable for baking and cooking.
- Specialty Alternatives:
- Glycine: An amino acid that can be employed as a sweetener in some recipes, offering a sweet taste, though its usage is not commonplace.
- Thaumatin: A natural sweetener derived from the West African katemfe fruit, which is incredibly sweet, yet not typically utilized.
- Rebaudioside A: A sweet compound derived from stevia, 200 times sweeter than sugar, utilized in several sugar-free products.
- Ancient Alternatives:
- Jaggery: An unrefined sugar crafted from palm tree sap, with applications in traditional medicine and cooking.
- Palm Sugar: An unrefined sweetener derived from palm tree sap, with applications in traditional medicine and cooking.
- Sorghum Syrup: A sweetener created from the juice of the sorghum plant, suitable for baking and cooking.
After exploring various sweetener options, it's essential to consider their impact on mental health. Sometimes, switching to natural alternatives like stevia or honey can contribute to improved mental health, as they're often associated with fewer negative side effects compared to artificial sweeteners. On the contrary, continuously consuming sugar substitutes linked to potential health risks might negatively impact overall happiness and mental well-being.
