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White sugar doesn't have any nutritional value but supplies us with extra calories. That's why more and more people are looking for healthier and natural ways to replace it. There are sugar alternatives that you can easily buy online and enjoy your meals and drinks with a little bit of sweetness that is less harmful. This list includes dates, erythritol, agave syrup, maple syrup, organic coconut sugar and stevia. 1. Dates Dates are fruits of the date palm tree. In the Western countries mainly dried dates are consumed, that are available as: whole, pitted or chopped dates. The most popular varieties are Medjool dates and Deglet Noor dates. Dried dates are sweet and chewy with a caramel-like flavour. You can also easily buy date syrup made of heated dates mixed with water and blended into a sweet nectar. Both whole dried dates and date syrup are a great alternative for sugar in cooking and baking. Nutritional value of dates Dates consist of fructose, which is a natural type of sugar found in fruits. Dried dates are much healthier than normal sugar. They are high in important nutrients such as fibre, vitamin B6, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, manganese and copper. Organic dates are packed with antioxidants: flavonoids, carotenoids, phenolic acid that help fight inflammation and prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s. Dates have a low glycemic index. The fibre in dates can help to control blood sugar levels and prevent them from sugar spikes. However, since they are dried fruit, they quite high in calories. Buy organic dates in bulk 2. Erythritol Erythritol is a natural sweetener that tastes exactly like sugar but it has no calories. It can be used just like white table sugar in drinks, and for cooking and baking. Erythritol contains 70% of the sugar sweetness but only 6% of its calories. How is erythritol made? Erythritol belongs to sugar alcohols that are used as sugar-free sweeteners (such as sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol). They can stimulate the sweet taste receptors on your tongue. Most sugar alcohols are found in small amounts in fruits and vegetables. Nutritional value Erythritol is different from the other sugar alcohols as it contains fewer calories and doesn’t cause any side effects. Most of it gets absorbed into your bloodstream and it's excreted with the urine. Erythritol acts as an antioxidant and helps the blood vessel function in people who suffer from type 2 diabetes. It is also a great sugar alternative for those who want to lose weight. Unlike table sugar, erythritol doesn't feed the bacteria that cause cavities so it helps to stop the growth of bacteria in the mouth. Buy erythritol in bulk 3. Coconut sugar Organic coconut sugar is the less-processed type of sugar. Sometimes called coconut palm sugar it is made in a natural way from the dehydrated sap of the coconut palm tree. How is coconut sugar made? Liquid sap is collected from a cut made on the coconut flower. Then, it is heated until the liquid evaporates. The result is a brown granulated product. Don't confuse it with palm sugar which is made in a different way. Nutritional value of coconut sugar Coconut sugar contains very small amounts of minerals such as iron, calcium, zinc, potassium, zinc, plus polyphenols, antioxidants and fibre. Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index and slow down the absorption of glucose. This is thanks to inulin. Coconut sugar consist of sucrose (70-80%) which is indeed fructose. Similarly to normal sugar, coconut sugar is high in calories. Although coconut sugar's nutritional profile is slightly better than of normal sugar, consuming too much of it is not very healthy and may lead to many serious diseases such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Buy coconut sugar in bulk 4. Agave syrup Agave syrup or agave nectar, is a plant-based sweetener made from a different species of plant called agave (Agave Tequillana, Agave Salmiana, Agave Americana). Agave has a mild sweet and neutral flavour which makes it a great sugar substitute for delicate dishes. It is also one and a half times sweeter than white sugar, so you can use less of it when replacing sugar. How is agave syrup made? To make agave syrup from the Agave Americana and Agave Tequilana, the leaves are cut off the plant (the plant is seven to fourteen years old). The juice is then extracted from piña - the core of the plant. Later the juice is filtered and heated until it becomes a thick liquid. In case of Agave salmiana, the syrup is made differently. As the plant grows, it starts to develops a stalk called a quiote. The stalk is cut off before it fully grows, creating a hole in the middle of the plant. This hole fills with a liquid called aquamiel. The liquid is collected daily and heated up. Agave syrup may have different colours from light to dark brown, depending on the degree of processing. Nutritional value of agave Agave syrup composition depends on the species from which the syrup was made. In A. tequilana, the syrup contains up to 60% fructose, 20% glucose, and little bit of sucrose. In agave syrup made from A. salmiana, sucrose is the main sugar. Agave syrup also contains very small amounts of vitamin C and B vitamins, and minerals such as calcium, potassium, and selenium but the serving size provides little benefit from these micronutrients. Buy agave 5. Maple syrup Maple syrup is made from the sap of maple tree. Maple syrup is graded based on its colour and taste. It is used as topping and sweetener for tea, coffee, porridge, oatmeal, waffles and pancakes. How is maple syrup made? The sap is collected from drilled trunks of the tree. Then the sap is heat up to evaporate most of the water, leaving the concentrated syrup. Nutritional value of maple syrup Maple syrup consists mainly of sucrose. It is rich in antioxidants when compared with other sweeteners and it has a lower glycemic index. Buy maple syrup 6. Stevia Stevia is a plant-based sweetener that is intensely sweet. Indeed, it is 50 to 300 times sweeter than sugar. It can be used as sugar alternative in baking or in any way you want to replace sugar. It has mild, a bit bitter flavour, similar to licorice. How is stevia made? Stevia is made from Stevia rebaudiana, a plant from chrysanthemum family. Many stevia products are made from a highly refined stevia leaf extract called rebaudioside A (Reb-A) which is about 200 times sweeter than white sugar. They are sold in form of powder, granulated or liquid (stevia drops). You can grow stevia plants at home and use the leaves to sweeten meals and drinks. Nutritional value of stevia Stevia sweetener has no nutritional value and no calories so it doesn't impact blood sugar levels. It is a good sugar replacer for those with diabetes and those trying to lose weight. However, as a nonnutritive sweetener its impact on an individual’s health may depend on the how much of is consumed, and the time of day it is consumed. European Food Safety Authority has concluded that stevia products are safe for consumption within the moderate daily intake, both for healthy adults and children.

The best way to make your diet healthier is to cook more at home, and that’s always easier with a well stocked pantry. Whether you’re making elaborate meals or just quick snacks, having an array of whole foods at your disposal is overwhelmingly beneficial. Not only does cooking at home save money, but by opting for whole foods you can avoid all of those nasty additives that are far too dominant in ready meals. In this article we’ll go over some of the best whole foods to keep at hand in your kitchen, how to use them and most importantly their health benefits. 1. Rice, which one to pick and how to cook it perfectly.There are countless varieties of rice out there, so for now we’ll just cover some of our top picks, and some useful tips. The first thing to decide when cooking with rice is whether you want to use long, medium or short grain. Short grain rice (as the name suggests) is smaller than its counterparts, with a starchier texture, like sushi rice for example. Long grain rice, like basmati, on the other hand is longer, thinner and fluffier, making it a good all rounder. Finally medium grain rice fits in between the two, it has the size and shape of long grain rice, but with the texture of short grain rice, making it ideal for savoury creamy recipes like risotto. However, if you’re looking for the healthiest whole food option above all else, your best bet is to go for either long grain brown rice or wild rice. Both brown and wild rice are packed full of fibre, protein and a variety of vitamins and minerals, while also having low to middling glycaemic indexes, making both of them a great source of slow burning energy. Two top tips to cook rice perfectly every time. - It is always best to thoroughly wash your rice before you cook it, not just to remove any unwanted debris but also to remove excess starch. Excess starch is often what gives rice an unpleasant sludge-like texture which can derail an entire meal. - Different ratios of water to rice can drastically alter the texture of your rice, for example when cooking white rice, a ratio of 2:1 (liquid to rice) will produce a softer rice, whereas a ratio of 1:1 will produce a tougher chewier final result. 2. Quinoa, an amazing superfood.Quinoa is an incredible superfood that definitely deserves a place in your pantry, mainly because of its status as a complete protein. The term complete protein refers to a food that contains all 9 amino acids that humans can’t produce on their own. Outside of animal products, complete proteins can be quite hard to come by, making quinoa especially useful for those on plant based or vegan diets. As well as being protein-dense, quinoa is a great source of iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamin E and fibre. How to cook with quinoa.Quinoa is best used as an alternative to rice or couscous, and it is incredibly easy to prepare. Simply add quinoa to a pan with water, bring it to a boil and then simmer for around 15 minutes before draining, then fluff with a fork and enjoy. If you’re stumped and looking for a good place to start, we recommend this easy quinoa and bean salad, packed full of nutrients and great on a hot summer’s day. 3. Nuts, perfect for snacking, baking and cooking.Each nut is different, with their own uses, flavours and all important health benefits, and while we can’t cover all of them here, here are some of our favourites. - Almonds are packed full of healthy fats, protein, fibre and vitamins, making them one of the best nuts to incorporate into your diet. Whether you’re baking with them, using them to make flour or butter, or just snacking on them straight from the bag, they are truly incredible. - Walnuts are an amazing source of omega 3 fatty acids, in particular alpha linoleic acid, which is incredibly important in reducing inflammation and could even lower the risk of heart disease. Walnuts are incredibly versatile and work perfectly in salads, breakfasts, sauces, and of course in baking. - Brazil nuts are one of the best sources of antioxidants you can come by, but they also contain the vital nutrient, selenium. Selenium is crucial for countless bodily functions, including thyroid function and support of the immune system. Brazil nuts can make for a great snack, but they really shine when used in baking, or as a means to really boost the nutritional content of a meal. 4. Seeds, a quick and easy way to make a meal even healthier.Much like nuts, there are obviously too many types of seeds to cover here, so we’ll go through a couple of our best picks. - Pumpkin seeds contain a wide range of antioxidants that make them a powerful tool for maintaining a healthy heart and a good immune system. Raw or roasted, pumpkin seeds can be a delicious snack on their own, or work amazingly as a healthy salad topper. - Sunflower seeds, like walnuts, contain an abundance of fatty acids, in particular the fatty acid linoleic acid. On top of their healthy fat content, sunflower seeds are also rich in protein, magnesium and zinc, making them a great all-rounder. Just like pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds work as a snack, in baking or as an ingredient in healthy savoury meals. Why you should stock your pantry with whole foods.These whole food staples we’ve mentioned above are just the start, there are so many more that deserve a place in your kitchen. Whether you’re looking for herbs, spices, proteins or fruits, by stocking up on whole foods, you can really give your cooking a significant healthy boost. Not only do whole foods contain far more nutrients than processed foods, they are also the best way to avoid harmful ingredients, while also keeping your bank account healthy at the same time. So don’t hesitate to jump into the world of Whole Foods, you’ll notice the difference in no time.

What is Celtic Sea Salt? Deriving from the coastal regions and estuaries of Brittany, France, Celtic Sea Salt (or Sel Gris as translated in French) is a grey salt, harvested traditionally from solar-evaporated ocean water. Inhabited at the bottom of clay ponds, Celtic Sea Salt has a complex flavouring that naturally enhances the taste of fruits and vegetables. Why is Celtic Sea Salt trending? The artisanal salting technique goes back centuries, linking back to traditions and rituals. The ecosystem has been preserved for many years, making the production very authentic. Over the last few years Celtic Sea Salt has found its way onto social media because of how uncomplicated the processing is. The natural salt has been recommended by influencers all around the world. Creators have invested in the product and have been talking about all of its advantages. Celtic Sea Salt Benefits Hydration By adding the salt to fruits and vegetables, and eating the whole foods (not the sea salt) in large doses, it allows for a larger electrolyte intake, and eventually an electrolyte balance in your body. This, as well as the trace minerals, could help aid the functioning of hydration in your organs, and wash out the toxins in your body. Digestion Celtic Sea Salt is minimally processed compared to other salts; therefore, it contains a lower amount of sodium, a higher amount of minerals, and it includes lots of natural moisture. With this being said, it is far lighter to digest because of its natural elements and could potentially improve your gut health in the same process. Nutrients In discussing Celtic Sea Salt’s harvesting, the minimal processing keeps most of the nutrients and minerals in the salt, thus giving the body nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, (maintains bone, muscle, and nerve health) potassium, (regulates blood pressure, and heart health) Iron, (supports transportation of red bloods cells and oxygen) and Zinc. These elements also help promote clearer and hydrated skin, by balancing out the PH levels, ultimately reducing acidity, inflammation and irritation. HINT: A pinch of Celtic Sea Salt in warm water before bed could help soothe your muscles, strengthen the body, and the calming properties could even promote a better night’s sleep. History of Salt Dating back to 6000BC, parts of China would fight over salt reserves. The Shangxi province contains a salt river, civilians would wait till the dry seasons where the water would dissolve, and salt would be left behind. Eventually, hunters and gatherers found large amount of salt in animal meats and started to understand the concept of flavouring and seasoning. This is when the concept of ‘pickling’ and ‘brining’ foods began. During late 400 BC, Hippocrates used salt for medicinal reasons. He used salt for respiratory treatments, and it was also pressed into the skin to help heal diseases. Salt also became an expensive investment during ancient times, because of the preservation and seasoning elements. Communities would trade for salt and economies thrived off the transactions. In fact, the Latin word for salt, ‘sal’ became the term ‘salary’ in Roman times, as many soldiers were paid in salt. Hence where the term ‘not worth his salt’ comes from. Moving to the 14th century, large amounts of rock salt started to get mined, in what is now considered Austria. During this Celtic era was also when the French collected spring water and first boiled it to extract salts from ‘brine water’ in order to collect chunks of pure salt, and also boiled it to create separate drinking water. In the 18th century the United Kingdom took on salt for the chemical industries. Taking on Prussia’s clever organisation of salt mining, the UK were quick to adapt to the monopoly of salt trade and were the biggest manufacturer and consumer of Salt. By the 19th century many chemists began experimenting with other compounds and ‘Salt’ became a popular additive for many products, such as- soda, soaps, fertilizers, and textiles. Now in the 21st century, salt is a cheap everyday product, however, it is still mined and harvested in the same traditional ways as centuries before. Types of Salt As seen in the paragraph above, salt has been and is still used for lots of different reasons. It is a useful and versatile mineral that can be bought in different states and types. Table Salt (The most commonly used salt in cooking, predominantly made up of sodium chloride.) Sea Salt (Evaporated Sea water, available as fine granules and crystals. Less processed than table salt.) Rock Salt (Mined salt from its original form. Excellent home remedy for digestive issues.) Pink Sea Salt (The same type of salt as sea salt, the pink colouring comes from natural minerals and clay.) Fleur Del Sel (Wind-dried, hand harvested salt from the French marshes of Guerande.) Himalayan Salt (Mined from ancient deposits in the Himalayan mountains, rather than from evaporated water. Smoother taste than table salt.) Black Salt (Synthetic salt made from different types of sodium and charcoal, or activated charcoal and sea salt.) Kala Namak (Black salt that is manufactured from the outer regions surrounding the Himalayas.) Why Celtic Sea Salt? Aside from its unusual grey colouring, Celtic Sea Salt is a great salt to invest in because of how natural its sold state is. Alike Himalayan salt, Celtic Sea Salt is also traditionally gathered, giving it that authentic edge over other salts. Compared to other salts, Celtic Salt has the lowest amount of sodium. Sodium in small doses help balance out your electrolytes, and help your nerve impulses function. Too much sodium can have a negative effect on your liver and kidneys and lead to de-hydration and fluid retention. Food experts have talked about how Celtic Sea Salt has a curious flavour and texture to it. The saltiness is delicate, allowing the true flavours of the food to push through to your palette, and the texture is satisfyingly crunchy adding to its complexity. Although it is sometimes suggested as being an expensive salt, chefs have said that it is a great restaurant ingredient and a great pantry ingredient to keep in your house. Why Is Celtic Sea Salt So Moist? Celtic Sea Salt is very moist because of its natural mineral-rich brine. Not to be confused with water, this salt has a brine that is low in sodium and high in nutrients. Celtic Sea Salt is dried in the sun; therefore, its moisture is not fully removed. Compared to most salts, Celtic Salt contains more natural minerals because of its extra moisture. NOTE: If wanting to grind this salt, remember to cook your salt in the oven for a few hours to dry it out. This should make it easier to grind and the texture should be more of a powdery form. Cooking With Celtic Sea Salt As we now know, Celtic Sea Salt has an unusual flavour that enhances our whole food recipes. Celtic Salt can be used in baking and cooking, it dissolves very quickly so it is great seasoning for soups, stews, casseroles, and curries. As well as this, Celtic Salt is a great finishing salt for meats, fish, and plant-based meals. It is a popular salt to use for home fermenting. It also works as a great savoury flavouring with dark chocolate and caramel desserts. It is suggested that humans should only ingest between 1 and 2 teaspoons of the salt a day, anymore could lead to potential hydration issues. What Is The Best Celtic Sea Salt We recommend purchasing Celtic Sea Salt from smaller businesses who focus on the organic side of products. This way you will have a better idea of the quality. Some of the best Celtic Sea Salt brands include: Celtic Sea Salt (This Celtic Sea Salt shop was founded in 1976, and is a worldwide brand) Le Paludier Celtic Salt, Sel de Guerande, Food Alive, Whole Food Earth (You can buy this Celtic Sea Salt online)