Embarking on the journey of cutting sugar from my diet has been quite the challenge. Once upon a time, I was the girl who would happily add four sugars to her tea. But as the years went by, I gradually weaned myself off sugar in my beverages. Yet, my weakness for sweet treats persisted—I couldn’t resist the allure of sugary desserts or snacks to satisfy my cravings or provide that burst of energy. However, with age comes wisdom, and I’ve come to understand the detrimental effects of excess sugar consumption on my health. Thus, I’ve made the decision to eliminate sugar altogether, opting instead for sugar-free alternatives, particularly in desserts.
15 Sugar free recipes
I want to give you the content quickly and so for sugar free recipe ideas check out the 15 great sugar free recipes on the Diabetes Council website. Not only are these recipes delicious, but they also provide a fantastic opportunity for family bonding and education on the dangers of sugar consumption. Let’s break the cycle of unhealthy habits and pave the way for a healthier, sugar-free future!
Now, I must confess, I’m not a fan of sugar substitutes. My preference lies in natural ingredients like dates, dried apricots, or raisins, which I’ve increasingly incorporated into my diet. While I’ve dabbled with substitutes such as honey, agave nectar, and maple syrup, I’ve realized that even these can be overly addictive. So, I’ve committed to going cold turkey, foregoing ahead without even the natural sweetness of honey on my Greek yogurt, a challenge I am battling with daily. Fresh fruits have also become my go-to for adding sweetness to any dessert dishes.
65 different names for sugar
What is also as important has knowing sugar free recipes, is knowing the 65 different names of sugar, and did you know that there is a staggering 65 different names for sugar? Here are the names so that it helps you to identify sugar on food packaging quickly.
1. Anhydrous dextrose
2. Agave
3. Agave nectar
4. Beet sugar
5. Brown sugar (light and dark brown)
6. Cane juice
7. Cane juice solids
8. Cane sugar
9. Cane syrup
10. Carob syrup
11. Caster sugar
12. Coconut sugar
13. Confectioners’ sugar
14. Corn syrup
15. Corn syrup solids
16. Crystalline fructose
17. Date sugar
18. Demerara sugar
19. Dextran
20. Dextrose
21. Dehydrated cane juice
22. Evaporated cane juice
23. Evaporated cane syrup
24. Evaporated sugar cane
25. Fructose
26. Fructose crystals
27. Fruit juice crystals
28. Fruit juice concentrate
29. Glazing sugar
30. Glucose
31. Glucose syrup
32. Golden sugar
33. Golden syrup
34. Granulated sugar
35. High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
36. Honey
37. Icing sugar
38. Invert sugar
39. Invert syrup
40. King’s syrup
41. Lactose
42. Maple syrup
43. Maple sugar
44. Maltose
45. Malt sugar
46. Malt syrup
47. Molasses
48. Muscovado
49. Nectar
50. Pancake syrup
51. Panocha
52. Powdered sugar
53. Raw sugar
54. Refiners’ syrup
55. Sorghum
56. Sorghum syrup
57. Sucanat
58. Sucrose
59. Sugar
60. Superfine sugar
61. Table sugar
62. Treacle
63. Turbinado sugar
64. White sugar
65. Yellow sugar
But let’s be honest, the real challenge lies in exercising self-control and establishing boundaries. Surrounding myself with delectable treats, especially those worthy of Michelin stars, puts my willpower to the test. Yet, it’s all about the size of my WHY—I’m determined to banish added sugars from my diet once and for all. While I’m primarily focusing on sugary desserts like cakes, biscuits, and crisps for now, I’ll tackle other sugary foods like cereals and bread another day. Quitting sugar is just another hurdle I’m determined to overcome, much like quitting smoking—a challenge I successfully conquered in the past.
While I’ve come across numerous sugar-free dessert recipes that can be whipped up at home, I must admit, time isn’t always on my side. Hence, this article primarily revolves around heading to the Diabetic Council website for inspiration or online shopping for sugar-free treats.
I’m a firm believer in “cheat days,” but I’m prioritizing establishing sugar-free zones first. Once I’ve mastered self-control, I’ll indulge in occasional sugar splurges on cheat days. And believe me, resisting temptation isn’t easy. Just yesterday, I proudly resisted the allure of a delicious cookie and a triple salted magnum that beckoned to me—a small victory in my journey to break free from sugar’s grip.
Excessive sugar consumption can lead to a myriad of health issues, from tooth decay to heart disease, obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. These are not the outcomes I envision for my life, hence the urgency to make changes now, today, pronto.
