The sweeteners used for coffee, tea, oatmeal, yogurt or other drinks and foods are so numerous that they can be presented in a separate menu. The many options include white sugar, brown sugar, honey, artificial sweeteners, plant-based sugar substitutes, and more.
But which is the healthiest choice?
"Sugar, in its simplest form, as glucose, is not bad for the body," says nutritionist Natalie Rizzo. "The body actually needs glucose to live and cope with different conditions from viral to infections. It powers our brain, muscles and organs to perform daily functions. Beyond that, glucose also provides the energy needed for exercise,” she adds.
So sugar is present in every food that has carbohydrates, but that doesn't mean that all those foods are healthy. For example, bananas, packed with natural sugars, have other beneficial nutrients such as fiber and potassium, while fizzy drinks only have added sugar.
Sugar or honey are known as nutritional sweeteners, which means they provide energy in the form of carbohydrates, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Non-nutritive sweeteners, known as sugar substitutes or artificial sweeteners, contain very few carbohydrates.
As a nutritionist, Rizzo says she's all for the natural sugar present in foods, but it's important to limit added sugar, as it's usually in foods that don't provide much value to the body and organism.
What is the healthiest sweetener?
Using fruit or 100% fruit juice to sweeten foods or drinks, such as adding fresh strawberries to yogurt, a banana to oatmeal, or a little orange juice to sparkling water is a healthy option because fruit contains nutrients that are beneficial for health.
"If you need a sweet taste, use fruit," she says. When it comes to the healthiest sweetener for coffee or tea, the choice comes down to personal taste because the options are so varied.
Women should limit the amount of added sugar to six teaspoons a day and men to nine teaspoons, the American Heart Association advises.
Is honey a healthier sweetener than sugar?
Not really, say the experts! If you look at the composition of honey, there may be some vitamins or minerals that would be better than a refined sugar, but to me, basically, honey is no healthier than other sweeteners, it just has two values more.
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Source: Today
