Having a massive sweet tooth while simultaneously trying to be healthy was the bane of my existence for years until I discovered these five healthy sugar substitutes! Now, I use these healthy sugar alternatives in all my favorite recipes.
Seriously, after lunch or dinner, I NEED something sweet. For the longest time, I tried to turn to fruit, which is fantastic, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes you need cookies, chocolate, or caramel. So, after some research and serious recipe testing, I found my tried and true healthier sugar alternatives that I use 90% of the time (hey, now and again, you still need the real thing!).
The Caveat:
Here’s the thing about healthy treats – the flavor of a cookie with monk fruit sweetener or maple syrup will not taste the same as a cookie with granulated white sugar. Fact.
The most challenging hurdle I had to overcome during my sugar substitute search was coming to terms with the different flavor profiles that healthier alternatives produce. It doesn’t mean they aren’t good – I LOVE a good date caramel cookie, but it won’t be the same as an authentic one. That’s the trade-off – when using sugar alternatives, you can’t expect your treats to taste the same because they won’t, but they will still be excellent and keep that sweet tooth satisfied.
When first trying to cook or bake with sugar alternatives, I highly recommend giving them a naked try instead of going rogue and adding the substitute without tasting it. This will help you determine which alternative will serve your recipe best, and if something is almost right but not quite – try an alternative combination like coconut sugar and monk fruit sweetener.
Now, without further ado – let’s get into it!
My Top 5 Healthier Sugar Alternatives:
Number 5: Monk Fruit Sweetener
If you’re looking for a sugar substitute that is just like granulated sugar, Monk Fruit Sweetener is a great alternative. It’s a little sweeter than sugar, so what I usually like to do is combine it with another sugar alternative, like coconut sugar, to level out the flavor in my baked goods. My favorite Monk Fruit Sweetener is the Lakanato Monkfruit Sweetener. It’s a zero-calorie sweetener and is keto-friendly. It’s also an excellent substitute for sugar in your coffee or tea!
Number 4: Maple Syrup
Another sugar alternative I love incorporating into my recipes is all-natural maple syrup! Maple syrup is excellent for adding to baked goods and adds a warm flavor to cookies or cakes. I use maple syrup ahead of refined sugar because it contains more antioxidants, and the high-quality organic maple syrups are less processed than white sugar. It also has a lower glycemic index than refined sugar, so it won’t raise your blood sugar like refined sugar.
Number 3: Coconut Sugar
Coconut sugar is my favorite 1:1 refined sugar substitute, and because of its toasted flavor, it can also be used as a brown sugar alternative. The nutty flavor profile makes it harder to tell the difference in your baked goods! I love using coconut sugar in cookies and brownies alike – and similar to maple syrup, it won’t spike your blood sugar like refined sugar, making it an excellent alternative for health-conscious bakers. It’s also great for sweetening glazes and sauces that typically call for brown sugar.
The 365 Coconut Sugar from Whole Foods is my favorite!
Number 2: Honey
Honey is one of my absolute favorite sugar substitutes. Maybe it’s nostalgic for me because I grew up on Honey Nut Cheerios and oatmeal with honey, but I just love adding it to my overnight oats, granola bars, and coffee. Because honey comes from, well – the bees, it’s not technically a vegan sweetener like the other sugar alternatives I’ve listed. Still, it contains various vitamins and minerals, including calcium and zinc.
One of my favorite ways to use honey is by sweetening extra dark chocolate for chocolate cookies, cakes, and brownies. It’s also wonderful mixed with cocoa powder and cottage cheese.
Number 1: DATES!
By now, you’ve probably seen a plethora of articles online and videos across social media about dates, but this hype is for a good reason – they’re a big deal. Dates are a fruit that comes from the Date Palm. They’re sweet and warm and have a caramel undertone, making them the perfect treat when stuffed with peanut butter and coated in chocolate or used as a caramel substitute in cookies.
Dates are my number one sugar alternative because they are divine and have great nutritional value, like being high in antioxidants and digestive properties. Check out my recipe for homemade healthy Twix bars using date caramel!
For more information on the nutritional value of dates, check out this Healthline article on the 8 Proven Health Benefits of Dates.
So, which sugar substitute is going to become your go-to? I recommend trying them across some of your favorite recipes (or adding them to your favorite sugar-needy drinks) to see which is your favorite. I like to keep all of the above on hand because I’ve found that some taste better than others in specific recipes, or they’re delicious when combined.
Let me know which one becomes your number one, and follow me on social media @dinneratallis for easy and healthy recipes!