People who are trying to reduce sugar intake may try a substitute for the sweet stuff so they can still satisfy a craving and control calorie intake. According to MayoClinic.com, some sugar alternatives still contain calories, but deliver them in a healthier way. Some of the sugar substitutes on the market are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, while others aren't. Talk with a doctor to help you choose one that fits with your health goals and conditions.
Agave Nectar
Agave nectar is a sugar substitute that is typically used in baking or to sweeten other foods that are traditionally done with sugar. It comes from the sap of the blue agave plant. This sweetener is 33 percent sweeter than sugar, so it enables you to cut back on how much you use, reports Whole Living Magazine, which can make foods and drinks it is used in healthier and lower in calories. Agave nectar is approved by the FDA as a natural sugar substitute and makes a good sweetener for tea and coffee. Agave nectar is available at most supermarkets on the baking aisle.
Stevia
According to Whole Living Magazine, stevia is not yet approved by the FDA, but is available as a powder or liquid where vitamins are sold. Stevia is 300 times sweeter than table sugar, so using it enables you to drastically reduce the amount of sweeter you currently use. Stir it into coffee and tea or use it to bake sweet treats or enhance yogurt and salad dressings. This sweetener comes from a South American plant and is very low in calories, making it an alternative to sugar that fits well your diet if you are attempting to lose weight.
Sucralose
Sucralose is commonly known as Splenda and is a sugar substitute that the FDA approves and is available at most grocery stores. This is another sweetener that has a more intense flavor than sugar so you don't need as much for the same taste. According to the makers of Splenda, it is made from sugar but contains no calories and still tastes like sugar. Use it to sweeten beverages and to make baked goods. Splenda is a good choice for people watching their sugar intake and for people who have diabetes.
Brown Rice Syrup
When brown rice is cooked with barley the result is a liquid. Use it to sweeten foods and drinks, such as coffee and tea or in baked treats, in place of sugar, recommends Whole Living Magazine. An added benefit of brown rice syrup is that it contains nutrients that sugar doesn't, including magnesium and zinc. It is not at sweet as sugar, but has less calories per teaspoon, making it a good sugar substitute for someone who is watching her weight.
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