HappyGrace Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 I tried googling and I can't find a good list to help me with this. I am trying to AVOID refined sugar and I want the LEAST refined one. Not including date sugar and all those-just the main ones like Demerara and so on. I bought Demerara and I'm afraid to eat it now! Where does it fall on the list-how refined is it? I will prbly end up sticking w/ Sucanat long term (for the tablespoon or so I need in a recipe that can't use honey or something) but I can't get to the co-op to buy it for a couple wks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jplain Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 If you want minimal processing, stick with honey and maple syrup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KS_ Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Here's a list (bottom of page) that compares nutrients in several different sugars: http://www.hwfc.com/CoopScoop/Apr03/manager.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jplain Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 (edited) Here's a list (bottom of page) that compares nutrients in several different sugars:http://www.hwfc.com/CoopScoop/Apr03/manager.html I've seen others make similar arguments, and I think they're missing the point. There's no scientifically-documented, meaningful nutritional or metabolic difference between any of the caloric sweeteners, unless you start looking at fructose content. In that case, agave and HFCS are the hardened criminals, while other sweeteners are your typical bad guys. That's not to say that typical bad guys are okay for you. If you're consuming more fructose than you'd get out of a few servings of fruit, you should assume you aren't doing your liver any favors. And really, who cares what the nutrient content of sugar is? The amounts are vanishingly small, essentially trace amounts. It makes nice ad copy, but no one should count on sweeteners to supply nutrients. . Edited January 21, 2012 by jplain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 I suppose sucking on the whole sugar cane stalk would be the least processed, right? :D We use dehydrated cane juice when honey or maple syrup won't work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyGrace Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share Posted January 21, 2012 Angela-is the dehydrated cane juice in a liquid or crystal form? Where do you find it and how is it packaged, etc? (name brand?) Jplain-I am starting to think the same thing-that it seems to be just a lot of semantics, but I'm still trying to figure out the best option. KH-that list was good, thanks! It did make me see there is not a lot of difference nutritionally. Still trying to find out a definitive answer on which is least refined. It seems to be elusive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 how about xylitol? I've been using it lately in my coffee (though large-quantity consumption may be a bit... disruptive, digestively). There are claims that it does not provoke quite the same insulin response as regular sugar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 I *think* green leaf stevia is the better choice. It is just stevia leaves ground up. It looks like green fuzz and is really expensive. I have been doing some research on this lately. But I do agree that for the most nutritional (if you can really say that any sugar is nutritional) sweetener is honey and maple syrup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iamblessed Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 We use rapadura and honey here. Rapadura is better than sucanat because it is less processed. I replace it for white sugar cup for cup. I use honey too but try to go a little easier on it because it is kinda expensive. Buy raw honey if possible-it has better nutrition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyGrace Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share Posted January 21, 2012 Iamblessed- Where did you find the info that Rapadura is less refined than Sucanat? That's what I'm trying to find out. And yes, we do use raw honey-and very local-it is only from 1 1/2 miles from our house :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Make sure you taste stevia before you invest in a quantity of it. For some people, the taste is more bitter than sweet. (If you can happily drink coffee or beer, this probably isn't the case for you.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyGrace Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share Posted January 21, 2012 This is a good informative post, at least about Sucanat vs. Rapadura (which I have it narrowed down to these two): http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2011/08/10/a-sweet-sweet-summer-unrefined-dehydrated-whole-cane-sugar-sucanat-rapadura-panela-and-muscovado/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iamblessed Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 If you check out the website eHow Health and look under "What is Rapadura Sugar?" they give a pretty good explanation. Basically the Rapadura is dehydrated at very low heat and the natural molasses is not separated from it. Sucanant undergoes a different process. Hope that helps a little :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy in C-ville Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Here's a comparison from Breadbeckers: http://support.breadbeckers.com/support/kb/article/49. We use sucanate with honey, or honey crystals as they are labeled now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.