Raw Honey
Honey is one of natures best sweeteners. It contains essential nutrients and promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. Its great for drizzling over cereal and making salad dressings but I would avoid cooking with it as heat will destroy the nutrients, so if you like it in your tea or coffee add it when the water has cooled a little. The darker the honey the tastier it is and the better the health benefits. Try to buy your honey from a bee keeper or a local farmers market.
Maple Syrup
I love this stuff. You can use it for just about everything sweet and with it being heat stable it can be used for cooking and baking as well as in your hot drinks. Like with the honey the darker the syrup the better the health properties.
Dates
Have massive health benefits ranging from relieving constipation to strengthening bones. They are easily digested and help metabolise proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Tests also show dates to lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and male reduce the risk of stroke. I use them in a few recipes, blending them into a paste to mix with cakes in place of sugar.
Coconut Sugar
The whole world has gone coconut crazy. Coconut milk, coconut oil, coconut water and now also coconut sugar has become very popular due to its low glycemic load.
Banana Puree
Use a overripe banana, mash it up with a folk and you have banana puree. Its a great sweetener and can be used to make healthy pancakes and overnight oats. Its better than throwing them black spotted bananas away.
