An Introduction to Sugar Free Cooking

Obtaining and maintaining slim figures, managing blood sugar levels, controlling nerve pain and preventing dental problems are just a few of the reasons why many today are searching for ways to remove sugar from their diet. Although controlling one’s sweet tooth can be one of the most daunting tasks even the most stringent of dieters face, it is an extremely effective for weight loss. There are many advantages to a sugar-free diet, still why is it so difficult to stay off of sugar?

Many of us grew up enjoying classic desserts ranging from milk and cookies to apple pie. Cakes accompany many of life’s greatest milestones. It is as if sugar based food is a staple not only of our diets, but our lives as well. Can anybody imagine a birthday party or wedding without a hulking mass of flour, egg and finely processed sugar? Many frustrated dieters feel that they can not participate in the celebration if they do not participate in the eating.

We face similar trials in the day to day aspects of our lives. The smells of baked goods waft out at us whenever a bakery is passed. We are taunted by cookie jars on the counter and easy bake brownies on the grocery store shelves. There seems to be no escape. Sugar substitutes are helpful, but they cannot solve the problem entirely. How does one truly get by on sugar free cooking?

Trying to get rid of anything sweet is a short road to cravings and binges. Not to mention extra pounds. Instead, attempt to find natural alternatives for your sweet tooth. Many fruits and vegetables will do wonders to replace even the hardest foods to ignore. Try baking apples or pears; add in a little cinnamon, raisins and cream to create a delightful delicacy. Strawberries, peaches, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries all go very well with cream and various spices.

Okay, so there is still the Achilles heel of dieters to deal with, chocolate. This delight is probably the most difficult sugar filled product to get rid of. There is a simple solution though. Don’t get rid of it. Instead melt down sugar free baking chocolate and use it as a dipping sauce for sweet fruits such as cherries and strawberries. Other chocolate covered delights such as pretzels and sunflower seeds can be made with baking chocolate as well. Use sugar free varieties of peanut butter to supplement the flavor. The slightly less sweet taste might take some getting used to, but once you adapt the cravings should go away.

Another challenging sugar product to remove is found in beverages. Getting rid of soda and sugar filled juices can be difficult. If the lack of carbonated drinks is a problem try mixing a sugar free juice with soda water to supplement your cravings. This area is one in which sugar substitutes can be a tremendous benefit. The products mentioned earlier are frequently found in diet sodas, and can often provide flavor comparable to that of regular sugar products.

If the already mentioned alternatives are not enough to quench your sweetened desires, then perhaps more drastic measures should be taken. Recipes that use natural syrups, created from fruits and other various sources provide a way to make many favorites without using any processed sweeteners. There are plenty of recipes that include natural products, and can be found using a basic search online. You may need to invest in a few books to really dive into sugar free foods, but the benefits are well worth it.

Desserts and snacks are manageable without sugar, but breakfast can be tricky. Sugar free alternatives can be found for almost any product. But it is easy to become dependant on these items. For example, one can easily find sugar free yogurt. These products taste good and are convenient. It can be very tempting to simply grab a yogurt and call that breakfast. It simply is not enough. Carbohydrates and a small amount of protein are also essential first thing in the morning. Yogurt is a wonderful source of calcium and simple carbohydrates, however, to receive the day long energy complex carbohydrates provide one will need a bread product of some sort. Granola with no sugar added can be a great option. Try mixing the yogurt and granola if the taste of either food is not enough on its own. To get some protein eat a hard boiled egg, or even a small amount of breakfast meat. Either way, make sure to get balance, and not just settle for a simple sugarless solution.

There are many reasons to move to a sugar free diet, health benefits among them. However, there are still risks. A food that is sugar free is not inherently good for you. These foods are generally better for you then sugar filled alternatives, but it does not mean they are healthy. It can be deceiving at times because there is a perception that eating healthier foods will lead to a healthier lifestyle. While this holds true overall, moderation still needs to be practiced. Dietary rules should still be adhered to. Be sure to find a balance in food types as too much of any good thing can create problems.