Natural Sweeteners: a Lifestyle

Ah, sugar. How ironic that something so bad for you tastes so irresistibly good, and can be found hidden in so many different foods.

NOW is here to help ease your sugar addiction with this informative guide to natural sugar alternatives that should be on any natural health enthusiast’s radar.

Keep in mind that replacing sugar with natural sweeteners typically requires some experimentation. We recommend following recipes that specifically call for these natural sweeteners until you’re more comfortable using them.

BetterStevia®

Source: Stevia Plant (Stevia rebaudiana)

Glycemic Index: 0 (Low)

Extraction Method: Enzymatically Hydrolyzed

Sweetness Compared to Sugar: 100 Times as Sweet

Keto Friendly

NOW^® BetterStevia^® is a clean, sweet herbal sweetener with less bitterness than other stevia extracts. Available in powder, liquids and packets, BetterStevia^® can be used in a variety of food and beverages. Because stevia is so sweet you’ll need a lot less of it when cooking.

Suggested NOW Recipes:
Heavenly Hibiscus Sangria "Mocktail"
Coconut Flour Crepes

Dextrose

Source: Non-GMO Corn

Glycemic Index: 100 (High)

Extraction Method: Enzymatically Processed

Sweetness Compared to Sugar: ¾ as Sweet

Also known as glucose, this natural sweetener is typically derived from corn and has a fine texture and moderate sweetness. Dextrose can be substituted 1:1 for sugar, but it’s not quite as sweet, so some minor experimentation may be needed to achieve the same sweetness.

Organic Erythritol

Source: Non-GMO Corn

Glycemic Index: 0 (Low)

Extraction Method: Glucose Fermentation

Sweetness Compared to Sugar: 60-70% as Sweet

Keto Friendly

Erythritol can be used in many applications that call for sugar, but it’s about 70% as sweet, so you’ll need to use a bit more. Unlike sugars, sugar alcohols do not react with yeast, so it’s advisable to use a different sweetener for these types of recipes, or include a leavening agent if appropriate.

Fructose

Source: Non-GMO Corn

Glycemic Index: 19 (Low)

Extraction Method: Fermentation

Sweetness Compared to Sugar: More Than 1 ½ Times as Sweet

Fructose is a simple sugar that’s also called fruit sugar. You’ll find it naturally in fruits, vegetables, melons, berries, and other sources. Crystalline fructose is very sweet, around one and a half times sweeter than table sugar. Fructose is a great substitute for sugar, especially for chewy baked goods since it doesn’t re-crystallize easily once added into a recipe.

For more information on Fructose visit NOW Foods FAQ page.

Xylitol

Source: Corn

Glycemic Index: 7 (Low)

Extraction Method: Hydrolyzed Extract

Sweetness Compared to Sugar: Same

Keto Friendly

Like erythritol, Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that requires a bit of experimentation when using in place of sugar. Like other sugar alcohols, xylitol does not react with yeast, so it’s advisable to use a different sweetener for certain recipes, or to include a leavening agent where appropriate.

For more information on xylitol visit NOW Foods FAQ page.