by Nikki King

Created on: August 02, 2010   Last Updated: August 03, 2010

For the most part, we have come to expect something sweet at the end of a meal. The problem is—whether diabetic, hyperactive, or just health-conscious—a large amount of sugar is not good for anyone. WebMD says sugar may raise cholesterol and is a leading factor in obesity. Other studies claim sugar causes immune system suppression, increases candida growth and PMS symptoms, increases loss of calcium through the urine, and causes hyperactivity, anxiety, irritability, and chronic fatigue. Refined sugar is also bleached with chlorine, which is a carcinogen.

So how do you make something sweet without sugar? There are many sugar alternatives, and the ones you decide to use will depend on your reasons for wanting sugar-free.

Splenda, Equal, and NutraSweet are low-calorie artificial sweeteners that are typically recommended for diabetics or people trying to lose weight. They have been approved by the FDA, but their use still causes controversy. The chemical sweeteners are likely culprits of multiple side effects, including headaches, depression, allergic reactions, gastrointestinal disorders, and cancer.

Natural sugar alternatives are honey, maple syrup, date sugar, and Stevia. Honey is a good alternative in baking, but you will need to reduce the liquid ingredients. Eat Better America has a recipe for Strawberry-Honey Sorbet. Stevia has recently become the most popular alternative. It is derived from a herb, is low in calories, and is up to 300 times sweeter than sugar so less can be used. See the Stevia website for a recipe for chocolate chip cookies.

Another sugar alternative is natural fruit spread. These come in a variety of flavors like strawberry, blueberry, and apricot and are sweetened with fruit juice – usually grape juice from concentrate. When using fruit spreads in baked goods, take out the sugar and most of the fat (typically oil or butter). For general purposes, try the apricot fruit spread. Try the strawberry or blueberry fruit spreads in flavored baked goods, such as muffins or cupcakes. Eat Better America has a recipe for Wonton Fruit Cups that uses strawberry fruit spread.

You can also drastically reduce the sugar instead of completely taking it out. Since the dessert will not taste nearly as sweet, you will want to increase the flavor in other ways. Chopped raisins, craisins, dates or other dried fruit add a nice punch of flavor. Spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and pumpkin pie spice can be delicious additions as well.

Whichever alternative sweetener you choose, keep in mind that all of these should still be used in moderation. Many may have the same effects as sugar when too much is consumed.

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