Sugar Substitutes Tried and Tested
I love tea and coffee, especially now it’s coming towards the winter months, there’s nothing worse than sitting still and feeling chilly while you’re trying to concentrate and type. However, all those hot teas and two sugars soon add up and before you know it, you’re drinking a big chunk of your daily calorie target in sucrose. Obviously in my quest to transform from plain to presentable, this isn’t ideal, and it’s also bad for your health as studies have shown. With new year’s resolutions in full swing, it’s important to start the year off on the right foot.
As most of us do, I have a busy lifestyle that means I portability and convenience is a big deciding factor. So I’ve been searching around for sugar alternatives that don’t cost the earth and most importantly, taste nice.
1. Going without
Cost: Free
Portability: 5/5
Taste: 1/5
Health: 5/5
Well it’s definitely the cheapest. Going without any sugar in your tea and coffee is the least expensive option. It’s also the most portable option and every second counts when you have a busy lifestyle. There’s nothing worse that trying to juggle lids and stirring sticks when you’re on a busy train trying to add sweetness to your morning coffee. Actually there are worse things, that was a massive exaggeration. So those are the pros, where having nothing in your drink but drink falls down flat on it’s face is in the taste department. To someone who’s grown up as a sugar taker, it’s just unthinkable. First world problems, I know. I wish I was one of the lucky few who prefer no sweetness in their drinks but for some reason I can’t get along with it.
2. Honey
Cost: £2+
Portability: 2/5
Taste: 4/5
Health: 3/5
Untreated honey may contain added health benefits which is just a bonus considering you only need a little bit to sweeten your drinks. In my opinion, honey tastes better than sugar but it’s not very portable. They do come in bottles small enough to fit in your bag but it’s still not ideal and there’s always the risk of a sticky leak occurring. You can get honey sticks which are sealed straws of honey but they’re difficult to find and more expensive when you do.
3. Stevia
Cost: £2.50+
Portability: 5/5
Taste: 2/5
Health: 4/5
Stevia leaf based sweeteners seem to be the new trend at the moment. It’s referenced in TV shows and magazines and is the new go-to sugar replacement on the market. Trouble is, the taste is something that has to be acquired over a long period of time. However, you can use stevia based sweeteners in a variety of recipes as a substitute for sugar and it’s roughly the same consistency.
4. Miso Soup
Cost: Free
Portability: 5/5
Taste: 4/5
Health: 4/5
Maybe this is cheating a little but if you’re swearing off sugar then maybe it’s ok to go savoury? Miso soup is skinny and low in calories. However, depending on the brand and amount of Miso paste you use, it can be really high in salt. Balance the good with the bad with this super portable savoury drink.
What are your favourite sugar substitues? Let me know in the comments below…
Recent Comments