Come the month of October and festivals
follow one another in line. No Indian festival is complete without
sweets. But the celebrations leave diabetics and weight watchers
thinking whether they are a boon or a bane to them. Relishing sweets
places them at a risk of high glucose level and weight gain but it also
seems difficult to refrain from them.
This
dilemma is traceable to the detrimental effects of refined sugar used
in the preparation of sweets. Refined sugar is nothing but a bunch of
calories with nutrients missing. Apart from increasing the blood glucose
level and puffing you with calories, it leads to tooth decay, fatty
liver, addiction and high cholesterol.
The sugar-free alternatives available in
the market boast of being devoid of calories but they are a strict
no-no. It is a wrong notion that they can be used as an alternative to
refined sugar without compromising on taste .They are equally notorious
as sugar when it comes to health.
Given these health risks let’s look at the options available for dessert lovers, the organic sweeteners that can be used in preparing your recipes.
The
name itself dissolves sweetness in your mouth. Loaded with enzymes,
antioxidants, iron, zinc, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin B6,
1 tablespoon of honey is capable of giving 64 calories. Don’t worry it
doesn’t increase your glycemic load. Neutralising the free radicals and
promoting healthy bacteria in the digestive system are its known
benefits. But remember to use only raw honey, pasteurisation destroys
all its health benefits.
It
is a concentrated product of date, cane juice or palm sugar and can
vary from golden brown to dark brown in colour. It’s colour is
indicative of its purity, golden yellow being relatively pure than
brown.
Used as a sweetener in laddus in Gujarat and puran poli
in Maharashtra, it has a richer taste and contains trace minerals like
iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and calcium not found in refined
sugar. Furthermore, easy to digest, provides instant energy, strengthens
the nervous system and relaxes the muscles.
Organic
jaggery is produced by crushing sugarcane originating from organic
farms of India. Devoid of pesticides, chemicals, flavouring agents,
preservatives, microbial contaminants and impurities it’s a perfect
choice to incorporate in your delicacies.
Dates
Ever thought of using the dates you eat as a sweetener?
Obtained
from the date palm tree, they are easy to digest and help in
metabolising fats, proteins and carbohydrates. They are a rich source of
copper, potassium, iron, manganese, magnesium and Vitamin B6. Helping
to reduce cholesterol and preventing stroke, they are your heart’s best
buddy.
They can be used as a sweetener in cookies, muffins, cakes and pies in the form of date paste.
Coconut Sugar
You would have heard of coconut water and coconut milk but not of coconut sugar?
It
is the sugar produced from the sap of cut flower buds of coconut palm
and packed with nutrients like iron, zinc, calcium, potassium,
phosphorus and antioxidants. It’s increasingly becoming a craze as a
natural sweetener due to this high mineral content and low glycemic
load.
Just whirl the coconut sugar in liquids brought in for your recipe.
Maple Syrup
A
natural product from the maple tree and an incredible source of
manganese, calcium, potassium, zinc and antioxidants, it prevents damage
by free radicals. Darker syrups are preferred over lighter syrups due
to more beneficial antioxidants. It is heat stable making it apt for any
recipe.
No more stress of gaining weight and uncontrolled sugar. Just enjoy your organic delicacies this Diwali.
