Sweeteners: The purest, the better
Love Being Served has been created to emphasize a love-based way of living. Truly and fully aligned with the Divine Mother who is so generously giving us her presents. Thus the sweeteners are part of her creation, which I would like to honour. Surely we can hardly resist loving the sweeteness of things. But honestly, some products have enough natural sugars and are best just being consumed in their natural state, istn’t it? So keep this in mind while you prepare your lovable dish.
Why we want to sweeten everything is simply a habit. I can admit that I love the power of sugars to emphasize a dessert’s flavor too. And consumed in moderation (let me give you the divinely inspired value of two tablespoons per person per day), a sweetening compound is fairly justified. Therefore let me give you some recommendable examples of added sugars:
Natural sweeteners:
Agave syrup, derived from the agave plant, has a lower glycemic index than sugar, meaning it causes a slower rise in blood sugar levels. It give sthe plant a sense of loving connection to human beings when we honour its precious gift. Love is the key in all actions.
Coconut Sugar: Derived from the sap of the flower buds of coconut palm trees, coconut sugar is a beautiful alternative sweetener. It has a lower glycemic index and contains small amounts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. I love it because it has this very specific caramel like flavor that gives every dish a certain touch.
Xylitol (Birkenzucker) is a naturally derived sweetener produced through a detailed process of extraction from collected birch bark or corn cobs, hydrolysis, purification, hydrogenation, and crystallization. It is an alternative if you suffer from diabetes. In general, you can use this natural sweetener if you feel this is the best choice for you. Just let me know how the recipes turn out, as I normally never use it myself and cannot give any advice.
Whole Cane Sugar: Also known as “unrefined” or “raw” sugar, whole cane sugar retains more of the natural molasses and minerals present in sugarcane. It has a slightly darker color and a richer flavor compared to refined white sugar. While it does contain some vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, iron, and potassium, it is still high in calories and should be consumed in moderation.
The Impact of Refined Sugar on the Body
Refined sugar, whether derived from sugar cane or beets, undergoes extensive processing. This involves extracting the juice, filtering, boiling, and crystallizing it to produce the white granules commonly used. This process strips away any beneficial nutrients, leaving a product that is high in empty calories. Consuming refined sugar can lead to a rapid spike in blood glucose levels, which may contribute to a disbalance of your whole body-mind-spirit complex.
Conclusion
It’s all good as long as it is consumed in moderation – take responsability for your free choice! However, I highly recommend using the most pure version of a sweetener in your diet. Choosing the most natural state of sweeteners or simply focusing on the inherent sweetness of whole foods, we not only honor the principles of Ayurveda but also support our overall health. This approach helps maintain balanced energy levels, supports healthy digestion, and fosters a truly spiritual way of life.