1. cancerfreenow.org http://www.cancerfreenow.org/banish-white-table-sugar-9-safe-sugar-alternatives/#.U57_Gt8wkU5
Banish White Table Sugar: 9 Safe Sugar Alternatives
Do you have any concerns about the amount of sugar
in your diet? If you do, then you are not alone. The
media consistently reports on the dangers of
consuming too much refined sugar because it can
impact negatively on our health.
There is a diverse range of alternatives to sugar
available which are much safer for us to consume
and much more pleasant than you would think. These
alternatives all stem from natural sources and contain
no harmful chemicals. It’s a ‘win win’ situation for us
and for the environment.
I have always strongly believed that we should eat
natural foods as much as possible. I wholeheartedly
believe that artificial sweeteners are no good for you. This is because so many of them contain chemicals and
man-made ingredients – things that were concocted in a laboratory and not in Mother Nature’s store cupboard.
These are not things we want to put inside our bodies. The most common artificial sweeteners to look out for
include aspartame, acesulfame K, saccharin and sucralose. Bear in mind that aspartame and acesulfame-K have
been linked to cancer, so avoid them as much as you can.
Cutting out artificial sweeteners is one thing, but what do you substitute them with? If you’ve seen Stevia
advertised on the television you might want to give that a go. Stevia comes from South America and has a natural
sweetness that you can enjoy. It may be new to you, but it’s actually been in use as a medicinal herb for over a
thousand years. Stevia doesn’t have a single calorie and it also has no glycaemic impact so it is suitable for
diabetics, people watching their weight and those keen to preserve the environment. Watch out though – it can be
300 times sweeter than refined table sugar.

2. Xylitol is another natural sweetener that we have tried and liked. Xylitol occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables
and has a low glycaemic index and negligible effects on blood sugar levels. Apparently it actually reduces tooth
decay and cavities. It is important to find Xylitol made from birch trees and not from corn. This is because most
corn has been genetically modified and this can lead to other health issues. Look out for the brand SmartSweet as
this is safe for consumption.
One of the latest ‘fads’ in the US is Coconut Sugar, but there is actually something in this. Coconut sugar is
created when the sap from the coconut palm is heated and the water content is evaporated. This reduces the
coconut palm to usable granules. Coconut sugar is nutritious and scores low on the glycaemic index. You can find
it in health food shops and then you just need to use it like ordinary sugar.
Honey has to be one of the world’s favourite natural sweeteners. It has the advantage that it is easily processed in
the body and has a slightly lower glycaemic index than table sugar. It can reduce hunger cravings and is jam-
packed full of vitamins, antimicrobial properties and most importantly, complex carbohydrates, so the body burns it
slowly. Opt for the raw, unfiltered honey – as the pasteurized, processed version is virtually the same as eating
sugar and the enzymes are destroyed. You only need small amounts, and opt for the darker versions such as
buckwheat honey as they have the most antioxidants.
Another ‘new idea’ is date sugar. Date sugar is created by drying dates until the fruit is completely dehydrated
and then grinding it. The sugar retains the nutritional benefits of dates and makes a useful replacement for brown
sugar. Watch out though because it doesn’t dissolve so it’s less useful in cooking or baking.
Fruit juice is a really useful alternative for baking. Make sure you use fresh juice and not concentrate – and you
may have to experiment a bit because of the extra liquid – but you can make some great cakes by simply adding
juice to the mix instead of sugar. Check the label of your juice. The last thing you want is juice that contains sugar
after all of your effort to avoid it!
The sugars listed above are perfect for everyone – even those who have cancer. Other options for non-cancer
sufferers include molasses, brown rice syrup and barley malt syrup. Molasses is a by-product of the sugar
production process and has nutritional value so that is an environmental positive. Blackstrap molasses is the most
nutritionally beneficial alternative because it contains iron and calcium. It’s also perfect for baking as it is thick and

3. viscous.
For those, who are coeliac, the perfect option for you has to be brown rice syrup. This syrup is created by boiling
brown rice and it is gluten free. You’re probably better off cooking with it than adding it to your drinks, but you can
use it as a condiment or drizzle it over puddings.
Finally, Barley Malt Syrup looks and feels very much like molasses although it has a malty taste which some may
find an acquired taste. It is great for use in baking and brewing.
So there you have nine options that will make white table sugar and artificial sweeteners a thing of the past. Enjoy!