3 Healthy Sugar Alternatives

1. Coconut Sugar

A great substitute for cane sugar (use an equal amount), coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index (which measures how slowly or quickly a food causes your blood glucose levels to rise). Plus, it contains added nutrients, like zinc and iron.

Buy it on Amazon: Nutiva USDA Certified Organic, non-GMO, Unrefined Granulated Coconut Sugar, 1-Pound ($5)

2. Dates

Dates (which are high in vitamins and minerals) add natural sweetness to foods, so they’re a go-to in health bars. Try blending a couple into smoothies or baked goods. If you’ve got a food processor, you can make date sugar: Just roast dates in the oven. Let them cool, then pulverize in a food processor until powdered. Date sugar tastes like butterscotch but won’t fully dissolve, so use it in recipes like glazed Brussels sprouts or in dark-colored cakes.

Buy it on Amazon: Dole California Whole Pitted Dates, 8 Ounce ($3)

3. Blackstrap Molasses

Thick and dark in color, blackstrap molasses is the most mineral-dense molasses (with iron and calcium). It’s made by boiling sugar cane down three times. Use it to add a robust flavor to pork marinades, or stir a spoonful into baked beans.

Buy it on Amazon: Plantation Organic Blackstrap Molasses, 15 oz Bottle ($9)