Easy Sugar Swaps

There’s a place in the world for processed, refined sugar. But, more and more – we’re looking for sugar alternatives. Just look at your local grocery store and there is an abundance of sweetener options.

The solid sugar we consume comes largely from beets and cane. It’s highly processed and doesn’t offer much in terms of nutritional value. Yes, there’s that short-term sugar buzz, but there are now plenty of good options when you’re craving something sweet. Fresh or dried organic fruit are always a great go-to, either as stand-alone treats or mixed into plain organic yogurt.

There are also easy swaps for cooking and baking. Inspired Organics offers organic wildflower honey, blue agave nectar 100% pure, blue agave nectar 100% raw, and organic pure Vermont maple syrup, which all fit the bill nicely.

As the name implies, our organic wildflower honey comes from bees pollinating wildflowers. The flavor may vary slightly, depending on which wildflowers the bees are visiting. Honey has beneficial antioxidant and anti-microbial properties and works as a natural cough suppressant.

Blue agave nectar comes from the core of the blue agave plant, the same plant that tequila comes from. The organic pure form is non-crystallizing and dissolves quickly, which makes it good for baking, salads, and sauces. The raw form is less filtered, more full-bodied, and is suitable for someone following a raw foods diet. Some people use both.

Our organic pure maple syrup comes from sugar maple trees in Vermont. The liquid gold that comes from these trees contains calcium, manganese, potassium, and magnesium. It, too, is an antioxidant.

These organic, natural sweeteners are sweeter than refined sugar, so you don’t need to use as much.

Refined sugar is a solid; honey, blue agave nectar, and maple syrup are liquid, yet substitutions are possible for baking and cooking once the additional liquid and sweetness are accounted for in a recipe. In the case of honey, which has acid in it, additional baking soda is sometimes required to neutralize the pH.

Inspired Organics organic salad dressings, sauces, cereals, dips, and spreads put an emphasis on flavor, natural ingredients, and only organic cane sugar, minimizing pesticides and herbicides. Cutting out refined sugar can reduce caloric intake and help stabilize blood sugar. It doesn’t get much sweeter than that.