Sugar Free Foods
Almost as Sweet as Sugar
For those who are diabetic, or even those who are health conscious, there are many sugar free foods available. Some are naturally free of sugar, while others have had sugars removed and replaced with an alternative sweetener.
Those items that have had the sugar removed are what are usually labeled as being sugar free. Although most of these items normally have sugar as an ingredient in their recipes, sugar free versions have had the sugar removed and replaced with either an alternative sweetener to maintain its texture and flavor.
You may notice that some sugar free foods contain ingredients referred to as sugar alcohols, or polyols. It should be pointed out that this ingredient is neither an alcohol nor a sugar. In reality, it is a set of carbs, considered to be low digestible, that have been created through the hydrogenation of the syrup or sugar source. If you are confused, one example is when you lactitol is created from lactose.
However, in some instances, the sugar called for in the recipe is not replaced. Sugar is a carbohydrate; so many sugar free items are also low calorie and low carb, making them perfect for consumption by dieters and diabetics.
Today you'll find many sugar free food items in your local market and in online outlets. One popular item is sugar free soda, which was actually introduced back in 1952! One product containing high amounts of sugar is cereal, particularly those geared towards children, so many low sugar varieties are now being created.
Living a sugar free lifestyle isn't a new fad. It is actually something that has been practiced in the United States for decades. The popular sugar substitute, Sweet n' Low (in the pink packets), was introduced in 1958, a mere 6 years after sugar free soda found its way onto store shelves. However, it wasn't until 1981 that the FDA approved aspartame (in the blue packets). Only in the past few years has Splenda (in the yellow packets) been on the market which is derived from sugar and new food products containing Splenda seem to be popping up on store shelves daily.
You can also try other naturally grown sugar alternatives like stevia and agave. These are healthier alternatives to artificial sweeteners. Stevia and agave are often used in weight loss programs because of their complex carbohydrate properties.
You can easily cook sugar free desserts and dishes at home. If you don't have any recipes of this sort, you should have no problem finding cookbooks containing sugar free recipes. All you have to do is look in your local bookstore or online. Additionally, all of the sugar alternatives provide measure for measure substitute instructions on the packages they come in.
When looking to buy already prepared products that are sugar free, be aware that not all items that are labeled as light or diet are actually low in sugar or even sugar free. You should always read the label carefully before buying something new.