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How Sweet It Is; Healthy Sugar Alternatives for You and Your Dog

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

by Audi Donamor in Animal Wellness Magazine

These days there's a lot of press about dogs eating a whole foods diet. But what about when we want to give them a sweet treat? Sugar is just as bad for them as it is for us; and artificial sweeteners are just that. Artificial. And some, such as Xylitol, are toxic to dogs.

In this article, we look at six "whole" sweeteners that not only taste good, but pack a powerful nutritional punch, too. They give sweet treats a whole new meaning!

1.  HONEY

For centuries, honey has been used both as a food and medicine. The ancient Greeks developed the original "energy bar" by combining 1 cup honey with 1 cup toasted sesame seeds and 1/2 teaspoon salt. This is a very easy treat to make for the holidays, and you can share it with the whole family. Add sun-dried unsulphured cranberries for a seasonal twist.

The color and flavor of honey varies widely, depending on the bees' nectar source. The darker the color, the deeper the flavor. Darker honeys like buckwheat (no relation to wheat), sage, and tupelo contain the most antioxidants.

There is ample evidence that honey, especially New Zealand's Manuka honey, may be effective against Heliobacter pylori bacteria, which causes stomach ulcers.

If a recipe calls for 1 cup sugar, use 1/4 to 1/2 cup honey (to taste) instead.

2. MAPLE SYRUP

You may be surprised to learn that maple syrup is considered one of the world's healthiest foods. This tasty syrup comes from the sap of sugar, black, or red maple trees; although more exotic syrups, like birch, are now available.

Maple syrup has fewer calories than honey, and an even higher concentration of minerals. It offers "sweet support for your immune system". Maple syrup is an excellent source of manganese and a good source of zinc. Manganese is an essential co-factor in a number of enzymes critical to energy production and antioxidant defenses. Even superoxide dismutase requires manganese. Zinc and manganese work together to support the immune system, lessening inflammation and acting as an immuno-stimulant.

Try the darker amber syrups for a rich taste that's packed with nutrients. A little goes a long way.

3. BLACK STRAP MOLASSES

Here's another natural sweetener that's considered one of the world's healthiest foods. It was the most popular sweetener until the late 19th century, since it was much more affordable than refined sugar.

Molasses is made from the third boiling of sugar syrup, which is the concentrated by-product left over after sugar's sucrose has been crystallized. Molasses is quite a powerhouse of nutrients, containing manganese, copper, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6 (pryidoxine) selenium, and iron. 

Choose organic, unsulphured, black strap molasses. Store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator or cool dry place. Unopened containers keep for about a year, while opened containers keep for about six months.

4. BROWN RICE SYRUP

This nutritive sweetener is about half as sweet as sugar. It is made by fermenting whole brown rice with special enzymes that break down the natural starch content. Brown rice syrup is gluten free and has a low value on the glycemic index, partly because it's a complex sugar polysaccharide. This unique structure allows the syrup to be absorbed and broken down more slowly than simple sugars, avoiding rapid spikes in blood glucose levels.

Brown rice syrup is a good source of minerals including magnesium, potassium, iron, manganese and B vitamins. It is also rich in protein concentrates.

Brown rice syrup can be used in place of regular sugar. Use 1 1/4 cups for every cup of sugar and use 1/4 cup less liquid than the recipe calls for.

5. PURE COCONUT SAP/SYRUP

The coconut tree is often referred to as the "tree of life" because it provides fruit throughout the year that can be consumed at any stage of maturity. In Sanskrit, coconut is called "kalpa vriksha" which means "the tree which fulfills all the necessities of life". 

Coconut sap/syrup is nutrient dense, containing 17 amino acids, B vitamins, including inositol, vitamin C, potassium, and even FOS, a prebiotic that promotes a healthy digestive tract. Coconut syrup is referred to as the maple syrup of the Tropics. 

6. "GREEN" STEVIA

It may be hard to believe, but stevia has been around since pre-Columbian times, and was not discovered by Europeans until the early 20th century. These days, a new stevia-based product seems to hit grocery and health food store shelves daily. It's the most widely used sweetener in Japan.

Also known as sweetleaf and sugarleaf, stevia is actually a member of the sunflower family. It's said to be 300 times sweeter than regular sugar, but because of it's chemical makeup does not have an impact on insulin levels.

When it comes to stevia, go for the "green", which contains a host of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, beta carotene, iron, phosphorous, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. White powdered stevia products have been chemically processed and do not have the nutrient value that green leaf stevia powder contains.  

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