Do you use corn syrup in your dishes as a sweetener? Then you probably must stop that right away, because excessive use of this sweetener is more harmful that regular sugar.

In that case, what could be a healthier alternative to corn syrup? That is what this post talks about – 5 nutritious alternatives to corn syrup. Would you like to know what they are? Just read on!

1. Maple Syrup:

This is a popular alternative to corn syrup. It is an all-natural sweetener that is extracted from the sap of maple trees (1). The best thing about it is that there are different grades available to suit all tastes and preferences. Unlike corn syrup, the nutritional benefits of potassium, calcium, and other minerals are maintained in maple syrup. You can use the same amount of this syrup in recipes that require corn syrup.

2. Honey:

As you know, honey is a natural sweetener that has loads of goodness. It contains nutrients like enzymes, proteins, vitamins, and minerals in small amounts, making it better than corn syrup. According to studies, you can gain many positive health effects if you consume honey at doses of 50 to 80 grams per serving. You get 50 grams from about 3 ½ tablespoons of honey. You can use the same amount of honey in recipes that require corn syrup.

3. Brown Rice Syrup:

Brown rice syrup can be used as a substitute for corn syrup. It is also known as bran rice syrup. The only problem with this corn syrup substitute is that it is quite difficult to be found. It contains more complex sugars when compared to corn syrup. This means that you get less of an increase in blood sugar. As you can see, it is a healthier option than corn syrup.

4, Agave Nectar:

This is another healthy substitute for corn syrup. It is less processed, which means that it contains more nutritional value when compared to corn syrup. However, it is more processed than honey and maple syrup. Therefore, if you are looking for something that is all natural, agave nectar is probably not for you. This is sweeter in flavor and has a lower glycemic index. If you are using agave nectar in place of corn syrup in a recipe, use ¾ the amount of corn syrup you might use.

5. Simple Syrup:

You can use simple syrup in recipes that require corn syrup. You can make this syrup at home using 1 cup of granulated sugar and ¼ cup of water. Mix the two ingredients in a saucepan and turn on the heat. Let it simmer until the sugar has dissolved completely. Remove from the heat and you are done. This will give you 1 cup of simple syrup, which is equal to 1 cup of corn syrup that is required in any recipe.

Recipe For Inexpensive Alternatives To Corn Syrup:

There are other recipes that you can use to make your own alternative to corn syrup. All you need is:

• Sugar – 2 cups
• Water – ¾ cups
• Cream of tartar – ¼ teaspoon
• Salt – a pinch

1. Take a large, heavy pan and mix all the ingredients.
2. Bring it to a boil while stirring continuously.
3. Reduce the heat so that you can simmer the mixture and put a lid on the pan so that the sugar crystals are removed from the sides of the pan.
4. Next, uncover again and cook until you have reached a stage where a ball is formed from a drop of sugar immersed in cold water. Make sure that you stir often.
5. Now that you are done, let the syrup cool, and then store it in a container at room temperature.
6. You can keep it for 2 months. This will give you almost 2 cups of the corn syrup substitute.
7. If you want dark syrup, add ¼ cup of molasses to the recipe given above.

This recipe is easy and does not take much time. All it takes is 5 minutes for preparation and 25 minutes for cooking.

Reasons To Cut Down On Corn Syrup:

There are many reasons to lower your intake of corn syrup, which include the following:

• It adds very little nutrition to the food you eat.
• It has a very high-calorie content, which ups the blood sugar levels in your body.
• Excessive consumption of corn syrup can lead to obesity, diabetes, and many other health problems.
• It can cause an allergic reaction in people allergic to corn.

As you can see, corn syrup is not the healthiest ingredient, which is why you should cut down on it or eliminate it completely from your diet. By doing so, you make sure that you keep a wide range of health conditions away. As you have learned, there are many better alternatives to corn syrup. They are healthier and easily available. You can also make your own substitute at home and use it in your recipes as required. Using natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup is safer and provides better health benefits as well.

By using a healthy substitute for this sweetener, you make sure that you and your family are protected from potentially dangerous health conditions and eat a healthier diet. If you have not done so already, replace the corn syrup required in your recipes with a healthier alternative. It will do you a world of good!

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The post What Are The Healthy Alternatives To Corn Syrup? appeared first on STYLECRAZE.

by Maanasi Radhakrishnan via STYLECRAZE