Even a little bit is sweet
Because of the cold weather, outdoor activities decrease and year-end gatherings increase. When is it easy to gain weight? Another factor contributing to weight gain is sugar. If you have natural, sweet-tasting alternatives to sugar, it will help you control your weight. In particular, refined sugar is the cause of various adult diseases including obesity and diabetes, so you should reduce your intake. American health and medical media ‘Healthline’ introduced a natural sweetener that can add sweetness to food by adding a little bit instead of sugar.
△ Fruits such as pears, persimmons, and bananas
Fruits are high in sugar content and rich in various nutrients, so they are effective in adding sweetness to food. Pears, which are good for bronchial health, are mixed with ginger or cinnamon powder and are good to drink as a warm tea. Persimmon can be frozen as it is and eaten as sherbet, or mixed with milk or yogurt to drink as a smoothie.
If you change a banana with milk, it becomes a sweet drink that is good to eat when you are on a diet. If you stir-fry pineapple together when making fried rice, you can add a sweet fragrance and taste without sugar. As such, dishes using fruits are rich in vitamins and various minerals, so they are effective in preventing colds and relieving fatigue.
△ Honey
Honey is relatively high in calories, with 64 calories per tablespoon. However, it means that there is a lot of sugar, so you can add sweetness to the food even if you use less amount because it gives a stronger sweetness than sugar. Depending on the type of honey, there are differences in color, aroma, and taste, so you can use it appropriately according to the characteristics of cooking and your taste. Honey acts as an antioxidant and helps relieve fatigue.
△Stevia
Although stevia has no calories, its sweetness is rather 200 to 300 times stronger than sugar. Stevia is an herb extracted from a plant native to Central and South America, and has zero glycemic index (GI). The lower the glycemic index, the more stable the blood sugar and the more helpful in dieting. Stayba sweeteners are available in granular or liquid form, so they can be used conveniently depending on the purpose, and you do not need to use a large amount as the sweetness is strong.
△ Sukanath
Made from the juice of sugarcane, Sucanat has 45 calories per table spoon, and its sweetness is similar to that of sugar. Unlike white sugar, sucanat is more nutritious because it is not refined. In addition, it mixes well with cold water and has a mild taste, so it is not burdensome to mix it with a drink.
△ Agave
At 60 calories per tablespoon, agave is regarding 1.25 times as sweet as sugar. Agave, which is made from the sap of a plant called agave, is sweeter than sugar, so even a small amount can be used to effectively sweeten food. Agave has the advantage of having a taste similar to honey, but with a thinner consistency, so it mixes well in cold water.
