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In my article on how to get off sugar, the recommended first step is to replace all refined sweeteners with natural sweeteners.
Which natural sweeteners are best? Which ones are optimal for those with blood sugar problems?
In this latest video filmed for the Weston A. Price Foundation, I catalog the list of wholesome sweeteners and discuss which ones to avoid and which ones to use and for what purpose.
Sweet Doesn’t Have to Be Unhealthy!
Sugar is simultaneously demonized and revered in our culture. Most people are hopelessly addicted even if they don’t know it. The key isn’t to abandon all things sweet, but to embrace our need for sweet in a non-addictive way.
Which wholesome sweeteners to use in moderation? Clues come from our healthy, chronic disease free ancestors!
The video below will give you some good starting ideas. If you need more information, there are numerous articles about both natural sweeteners and alternative sweeteners on this blog that dig deep into each one individually discussing both pros and cons.
- Maple syrup
- Monk fruit
- Stevia
- Coconut sugar
- Xylitol
- Malted barley
- Swerve
- Erythritol
- Rice syrup
- Agave
- Yacon syrup
- Turbinado sugar
- Honey
Video on Natural Sweeteners
Be sure to check out my Resources page for places to source quality, wholesome sweeteners – even the hard to find, low glycemic ones mentioned in the video.
For a complete transcript of this video lesson in any language, click here.
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
I went to my local amish store and they had Demerara sugar. Can you tell me more about it and If it is a safer alternative.
It is my understanding is that demerara sugar is just another name for brown sugar. Demerara (brown sugar) is less processed than white sugar but sucanat (also called rapadura) is a better option as it is whole and unprocessed as mentioned in the video.
Manufacturers are always trying to confuse the consumer with different names for the same things!
In response to the deodorant comment, I have something funny going on and have for years since I went natural (weird, huh? Maybe a years long detox!) and deodorants only make it worse. I’ve discovered baking soda. I don’t stop sweating, which I don’t want to do anyways, but I NEVER smell, and I used to reek.
Video: Which Natural Sweeteners are Best? – The Healthy Home Economist: In the post Slay the Sugar Monster in Fo… http://bit.ly/roTt6I
Stevia
Thanks so much for the helpful video. I have many health problems so I’ve been on a journey learning about nutrition. I love your blog and Dr. Price and Mrs. Fallon’s books, etc. I wanted to say that when I switched from agave nectar (which my Dr. had recommended) to stevia, raw honey, and coconut sugar my inflammation issues were greatly reduced. Also, my reactive hypoglycemia is pretty much not a problem. I think I’ll try the date sugar next. Are the enzymes in raw honey destroyed if used in coffee? Thanks.
Thanks again Sarah for all your great info! I hope to maybe meet you at the conference in Dallas!
raw sugar and raw honey
Video: Which Natural Sweeteners are Best? – The Healthy Home Economist http://t.co/dvL4MA5
Sarah,
Where do you order the green stevia that you showed on the video? I would like to switch to that because the liquid i use does contain glycerin. Thank You for all the informative info.
Also while i am asking, what kind of deodrant is good when trying to come off alumimun anti perspirants? My dh has agreed that we should get off them.
Frontier.
I don’t use antiperspirants myself. There isn’t a good option once you come off them. Sweating is normal and shouldn’t be “stopped” with chemicals. If you eat well and exercise, sweating won’t be profuse and won’t smell.
I should say sweating won’t be profuse under normal circumstances. It’s fine to sweat a lot if working hard in the yard or exercising though! 🙂
Thanks Sarah for the info on sweeteners. What about Xylitol? Some alternative Dr’s recommend it.
As for antiperspirants, I quit using them a few years ago and tried all kinds of weird stuff. What I’ve come up with that works best, for me, is aluminum free baking soda (Bob’s Red Mill brand). That is all. I just put a little on in the morning after showering. I will sweat when I’m out walking or doing something, which is natural, but there’s no smell like there used to be. (and it was a problem for me.)
Hi Carol, skip the xylitol. Sugar alcohols are not a great idea for regular use. Here’s a good link with detailed info for you:
http://westonaprice.org/modern-foods/sugar-free-blues-everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-artificial-sweeteners#sugaralcohols
Thanks!
This is so true especially if you eliminate coffee from your diet. Your breath is sweeter too! My husband and I no longer have any “BO” since getting off the bean and on to green tea, even after workouts at the gym and rounds of tennis and golf.
There are homemade deodorants you can make, there are recipes on some blogs (not mine). They’re usually a mix of coconut oil, baking soda, and essential oils. Although I do not personally use anything either, nor do I feel that I ever really need it. Luckily my mom was allergic so she raised me not to even use them and just take a shower instead…lol.
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for this great video! I just love this WAPF series that you are doing. I found the section on stevia very interesting. Can you tell me why the liquid stevia is not good? I understand that it processed so does that mean it is no longer nutritious? I am going to miss the liquid. It’s so easy to use…and the green powder just does not dissolve well. 🙁 Any tips?
Thanks so much!
Love,
Mary
Hi Mary, the liquid is highly processed with undesirable ingredients typically added like alcohol or glycerin. When the stevia is highly processed, the whole and nutritious aspects of it are removed. A bit of the liquid stevia used on occasion is fine, but try not to make a daily habit of it.
I don’t use stevia, but what if you wanted to grow the leaves and make your own extract? Would that be preferable? My dad is an aspartame addict who is willing to switch to Stevia now and I’m trying to make this easy on him…and obviously ANY stevia’s going to be better than aspartame! He really wants calorie-free for whatever reason (but he’s replaced his diet pop with freshly brewed tea, so I’m not arguing with him right now, baby steps) so stevia seemed like the best answer….
I’ve been using the powdered Sweet Leaf Stevia for several years. It incorporates itself into foods pretty well most of the time, although sometimes it will bunch up. Then I just take a fork and smash it into smaller hunks and it works fine. A little of the stuff goes a long way and I buy a box of 70 packets. Lasts me for a year or more. If I want to use stevia for baking, I buy it in bulk at the health food store or online. Sweet Leaf is a common brand so it shouldn’t be difficult to find. Here’s one good online place:
Has FOS inulin in it, too.
Hi D. … Is Sweet Leaf the natural green Stevia that Sarah speaks of?
Love,
Mary
Is the sweet leaf stevia a white powder or green?
I have some growing in my herb garden this summer. By the looks of the plant, you’d have to plant a row of them to get enough leaves to dry and use.