Sugar is in almost everything we eat, we add it to teas, coffees, dinner recipes and baked goods. All that sugar can conflict with a healthy lifestyle, most especially those counting carbs, or monitoring blood sugar. Trying to find a healthy alternative to table sugar can be hard. We are going to take a look at the five best natural sweeteners.

Pure Yacon Syrup

Yacon syrup comes from the Yacon plant, which hails from the Andes Mountains in South America. It is full of natural fiber that makes you feel fuller faster and still has the sweetness that you crave.  It is marketed as a weight loss sugar replacement; it can also be used in the place of molasses, honey and other sweet liquids.  It does only come in a liquid form, so anything that needs a dry mix may not be best for this.

Pros

• Organic
• Promotes Weight loss
• No refrigeration

Cons

• For weight loss help, you should eat three tablespoons a day
• A unique flavor that takes some getting used to
• Can caused gas and increased bowel movements in sensitive stomachs

Natural Mate Stevia

This sweetener has been on the market for some time and it is the best natural sweetener if you are baking something because it comes in a dry form and is easily used to replace table sugar. It has almost nothing of an aftertaste and can also be used to sweeten beverages.  It can also be useful for someone controlling their blood sugar as it does not add a significant rise the glycemic index.

Pros

• Easy chart for substituting in recipes
• Great for those with diabetes
• Affordable

Cons

• Slight aftertaste
• Dry so cannot replace honey, etc
• Large grains

Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Blue Agave

Blue agave is a liquid sweetener that comes from the blue agave plant. This version of it is organically harvested without pesticides and is the best natural sweetener if you need to replace simple syrup. It does not have to be pasteurized to become thick, as it has a natural thickness to it and can also replace maple syrup in recipes.

Pros

• No aftertaste
• Vegan
• Gluten free

Cons

• Sticky and hard to clean up
• Sweeter than sugar
• Expensive

Now Foods Dextrose Natural Sweetener

Dextrose is also known as glucose. This form of sweetener contains no fructose, the sugars from fruit, or lactose, the sugars from milk.  It is a little less sweet than sugar so you may have to use more of it than you would table sugar, but it is the best natural sweetener for those who have allergies to lactose or fructose.

Pros

• No odor
• No aftertaste
• Lactose intolerant friendly

Cons

• Need to use more to emulate sugar
• Does effect insulin levels
• Burns easier when used for cooking

DureLife Organic Coconut Sugar

This sugar substitute is derived from coconuts that are certified organic and non GMO. Coconut sugar does not affect the Glycemic index like regular sugar and is a great substitute for common sugar. It has a great flavor and can be used in all manner of cooking and baking.  Since it is made from coconut it also has other benefits, such as being a source of potassium, Calcium, Zinc, Iron and B vitamins.  It is not as sweet as white refined sugar, meaning it will take more to get the same sweetness levels. It is the best natural sweetener if you are looking to replace brown sugar as it has that sweet caramel taste to it.

Pros

• Organic
• Added Minerals and Vitamins naturally
• Does not affect glycemic index

Cons

• Less sweet than sugar
• Has a distinct flavor that can affect the taste of recipes
• Requires more for some recipes

The market for sweeteners is vast and this is just a small glance at the options, but hopefully this helps you find the best natural sweetener for you.