Maple Syrup

Whether you're sweetening your oatmeal or baking, try delicious, satisfying maple syrup.
And especially with pancakes, unless you are topping them with fruit or another creative healthy option, definitely use maple syrup. You can't use regular syrup, right? It's full of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)!

Maple Grades
Maple syrups get assigned different grades depending on their color. Grade A, tapped earliest in the season, is palest in color, with a mild taste. Late-season grade B, which we recommend, tends to be darker and richer. It's often called cooking maple, but you can pour it on anything. (Vegetarian Times Magazine)

I often hear "mmmm, maple syrup, BUT it's so expensive." It is expensive in relation to the fake syrup. It's also natural. It may offer health benefits. And in many cases it comes from family farms.

If price and/or calories are a true concern, here's a plan from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Pure maple syrup is unquestionably delicious, but it's also high in calories and a bit expensive. To reduce the cost to your waistline and your wallet, try this fabulous blend. It is so easy to make, adds a bit of extra nutrition, and extends the maple syrup while retaining all of its magnificent flavor. It's the perfect topping for pancakes, waffles or French toast.

Makes about 1 cup

Ingredients

1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

 

This is what Rodale news says about maple syrup: All types of sweeteners should be used in moderation, but turn to real maple syrup if you want a naturally sweet treat. It's lower in calories and packed with more minerals than honey, and may even ward off cancer and heart disease. In 2011, a pharmacist from the University of Rhode Island discovered 54 previously unknown compounds in maple syrup from Canada, many of which were anti-inflammatory (which protects your heart) and exhibited cancer-fighting antioxidant properties. Ironically, two of the antioxidants they found were later discovered to fight enzymes that lead to type 2 diabetes. When you're buying it, just make sure the label reads 100 percent maple syrup—not high-fructose corn syrup and "natural maple flavoring."

 

Action Item: Check your cabinets again (or your next shopping list). Is artificial syrup or maple syrup there? Remember that maple syrup is a sweetener, not a food group! Use it sparingly. It's a great idea to replace table sugars, HFCS, etc., but it's not a free pass to eat as much as you want.

 

For further reading: The Five Best and Worst Sweeteners and Is Pure Maple Syrup Healthy

Keep Reading

I mentioned in a previous post about using agave nectar instead of table sugar, and I made a note to myself to discuss it later. After reading another negative article last night, now is the time. I've been using agave nectar for several months, and I had read both good and bad reviews about it. While researching this post, I'm still finding agave nectar on best and worst lists! Some articles say that Raw and Organic Agave Nectar is the way to go while others say not to use it at all. I'm seeing more negative info, so for the time being I'm putting only honey in my coffee until I take the time to check out other natural sweeteners. Honey and maple syrup (both preferably raw, organic or local) seem to still be good guys. Next I might check out Stevia, but there seems to be a lot of talk of the plant vs. the powder. That, my friends, is why we keep reading on this healthy-eating journey!

This is an important topic, but I will add that we shouldn't get too focused on specific sweeteners and forget that the goal is to cut back on all sugars in our diet.

While searching online I also found this chart which could help with baking while using different types of sweeteners.


Do you use natural sweeteners? If so, what's your favorite?


Action Item: Read more about natural sweeteners if you have questions then choose the best one(s) for you.

For Further Reading: Best and Worst Sweeteners to Have in Your Kitchen and Is Agave Bad For Your Health? and Top 5 Healthiest Natural Sweeteners and this is a good article, Sugar Wars. I've never read anything by this author before, but she seems knowledgeable and makes some great points in her summary at the end.