8 things you can replace your sugar and sweets with!

Millions of people make resolutions every year in order to improve their health by losing weight, getting fit, or eating healthy but barely stick to it.

Much of the failure to follow a ‘fad’ diet for long can be attributed to the fact that these diets promote exclusion of certain food groups. Most commonly sugar.

Yes, excess of sugar consumption can be bad for your health and lead to many diseases and conditions, but if eaten in moderation and as a product of a much healthier source, it can not only enhance the taste of your food but also make you enjoy your food minus any guilt.

Here we bring you some foods that can help eat all the sugar you want albeit in a much healthy way.

1. Raw Honey

Raw honey is made from flowers that contain essential vitamins like A, C, D, E and K; calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Raw honey is also rich in bifidobacteria, which is a group of bacteria related with digestive and immune health. It is a perfect substitute for sugar and can be added to your favourite bowl of cereals, salad, tea, yogurt or even desserts for enhanced taste.

2. Bananas

Bananas are filled with healthy sugars and make for an energizing morning and in-between-meals snack as well. It is known to be loaded with potassium, magnesium, fiber and B-vitamins that are essential for healthy development of bones. You can use bananas to replace sugar in your everyday diet and cook your meals like salads, desserts, cereals, puddings etc., without compromising on taste.

3. Dates

Dates are an ideal sugar alternative to table and white sugar, if you have a sweet tooth, due to its high fiber content. Apart from this, a handful of dates consumed daily will give you a good dose of iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium.

4. Dark chocolate

Not all chocolate bars are healthy, but quality dark chocolates contain more than 70% cacao than other milk chocolate bars. The percentages you see on a chocolate bar wrapper represent how much cacao is in each bar. So, if there is 45% on the bar, it means the bar is 55% milk and sugar and only 45% cacao. But a 75% bar contains only 25% milk and sugar. Thus making it ideal for those looking to cut down on their sugar consumption and yet enjoy a bite of something sweet, daily. And if it helps, dark chocolate is also considered to be a superfood because of high amount of antioxidants, healthy fats, polyphenols and trace minerals such as calcium, magnesium, sulphur, zinc, iron and potassium found in it.

5. Fresh fruits

A perfect substitute for sugar, fresh fruits have a higher water content and fills you up faster. Also, the natural fiber in them keeps you feeling full for long. Eating ripe, fresh fruit is a wonderful way to fight sugar cravings. Not only do the natural sugars in the fruit taste yummy, but also the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals keep you healthy and fit, minus the calories!

6. Berries

Berries do taste sweet, but their rich fiber content means they are actually low on sugar. If you think your sugar cravings are habitual, berries could be an excellent choice to put a control on them. Additionally, they are also rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce the risk of many health issues.

7. Yogurt

A high-protein snack, yogurt, helps you control your appetite and sugar cravings. Yogurt is also high in protein and rich in calcium, and the healthiest yogurt is the one that contains live cultures and is free of any added sugar. So, read the label before buying.

8. Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are extremely nutritious and at the same time filling. Incorporating a carb source like sweet potatoes in your diet can help combat the cravings as they add calories to your meals and make them more balanced, while providing the sweet taste that you have been craving.

For a delicious meal, you can roast them with cinnamon and paprika (Red shimla mirch).

Furthermore, they contain vitamins and minerals like vitamin A & C and potassium, which make them a rather healthier option.