Sugar is yummy! There’s no doubt that it has a very special place in the hearts and tongues of many people across the world! However, many see the “sweet group” as a food that has only negative health value.
It is true that most Americans eat WAY too much sweeteners. According to estimates, it is over 150 pounds per person per year. Most of our sweeteners come from corn syrups as well as beet and cane sugars.
Is Honey Healthier than Sugar?
Some people say that honey is a healthier sweetener than sugar. First, you need to know the facts and then think about what makes something “healthy”.
The facts on honey is that honey actually contains the same basic sugar units as table sugar. Both
contain glucose and fructose. Granulated table sugar, or sucrose, has
glucose and fructose hooked together, whereas in honey, fructose and
glucose remain in individual units.
Caloric content of honey differs from that of table sugar. One teaspoon
of table sugar contains 16 calories, while one teaspoon of honey has 22
calories. While honey may have more calories, people may actually use
less of it, since it is both sweeter and denser than table sugar.
Many would argue that honey, unlike table sugar, contains small
amounts of vitamins and minerals and that honey can aid in digestion.
Researchers are also looking into antioxidant levels of honey to
see if they also can improve one’s health.
Is Agave Syrup Healthier?
Agave packs 20 calories per teaspoon, 5 more than granulated sugar,
but, like honey, it’s sweeter than sugar, so you need less to achieve
the same level of sweetness.
Agave’s Glycemic Index (GI) value (the higher the number, the faster the sugar gets into your blood) is about five times lower than table sugar’s. Currently no studies compare how,
relative to other sugars, agave may affect blood-sugar control. However, many people try to stick to lower GI foods.
Is Sugar Really Bad For You?
Here’s my favorite answer to all questions related to nutrition: It Depends! Ha!
Seriously, it really does depend on how much sugar you are eating. And are you buying foods that are pre-sweetened, or are you simply sweetening it yourself? Remember that the amount of sugar that you would add to your foods when you eat them (like yogurt, cereal, coffee or tea) is never going to be as much as a food company or restaurant adds when they make it for you.
Yes, table sugar is processed and stripped of most of it’s beneficial nutrients. So if you want to be a purist or a stickler, I might suggest that you do more honey, agave or unrefined sugar.
For me, I don’t think I add enough sugar to things to really worry about it. I have honey that I use occasionally and I did buy agave to try out.
Is Honey A Plant Based Food?
But here’s another tricky question for you… Is honey a plant food? Technically, it’s made by bees. Some vegans (those who do not eat animal products at all) eat honey and some don’t.
Tell me what you think!
– Julie
