It is sad, really, how people hear sugar and their brains automatically relate it to calories and getting fat. A lot of people usually associate it with guilty feelings and that’s not a good thing!
There are so many good benefits you can get from a simple box of sugar that people often don’t know about, but should. Read on to know what you are missing out on, and I am not referring to just calories!
The boxes of sugar you should grab
a box of plain white sugar.
There so many different types of sugar and they are all not totally bad, but not all of them are very good. It has been years since I have last bought a box of plain white sugar.
I don’t use high-fructose corn syrups, either, because of the bad effects. Just to give you an idea, high-fructose is not recommended for regular use because it has detrimental effects to our liver functions, negative effects to our triglyceride levels, and encourages sensitivity to insulin.
I grew up to white sugar and anything that wasn’t white sugar made me feel awful. I was always saying it tastes very different, or that there is an aftertaste that I cannot tolerate.
If you are still using white sugar regularly, white sugar is not bad, per se. They have just been processed and refined so well that they have been left devoid of all nutrients except sugar. There a lot of different sugars, so I am only going to give you my top three which I regularly buy.
Honey Sugar
box of powdered sugar honey and a spoon on the table
Honey is known for its many benefits and vitamins. Nevertheless, it contains antioxidants to help eliminate the toxins from your body. This is a new addition to my kitchen, and I honestly didn’t know that a powdered version of honey exists until a chef friend of mine mentioned it. I love honeys but I personally find the liquid form a bit too messy for my liking.
Brown Sugar
a box of powdered sugar brown
Compared to white sugar, brown sugar still contains some molasses and iron. It has a somewhat subtle taste which was rather noticeable at first. Instead of going from white sugar straight to raw brown sugar, I decided to transition gradually, so from white sugar, I shifted over to the washed brown sugar which is a bit more processed than raw brown sugar but not as processed as white sugar, then eventually to raw brown sugar. It really just takes some getting used to.
Muscovado Sugar
box of powdered sugar muscovado and a spoon
This is the healthiest sugar, ever. It is packed with a lot of vitamins from vitamin A, vitamin c and a lot of vitamins B. Muscovado also contains protein and fiber so definitely a must have for you.
It has a strong molasses flavor but tastes really good, I sometimes find myself dipping into the jar for a small taste. It has a very natural taste that’s better than some candies out there.
It adds extra flavor to your coffee, though it might take time for you to figure out the right amount to use to make it turn out well. It also tastes very well with desserts, especially when you to want caramelize your sugar.
Thinking outside the box
powdered sugar on the table
I always keep a box of sugar for a few reasons besides eating it:
- An emergency antihistamine. I have several allergies, but the regular antihistamine tablets make me sleepy and unproductive. Non-drowse antihistamines barely works for me so I don’t bother with them.
Taking too much medicine doesn’t sit well with me, anyway, so when my doctor recommended eating a spoonful of sugar or two as a quick fix to my allergic reactions, I was very enthusiastic.
Finding it works very well for me during light attacks is a relief. If you also have allergies, you can try this method but make sure to monitor yourself closely. It doesn’t necessarily work for everyone and for all attacks.
- Exfoliating with sugar is very safe and healthy. Of course, finer grained sugars feel better so choose whatever works for you. I have been enjoying my honey sugar a lot for this, since it still contains the properties of honey that makes it so skin friendly.
- Emergency topical antibacterial solution. Research says that applying sugar to your wound reduces the risk of infections, while expediting the healing process at the same time.
- Serves as a natural painkiller for your baby, since it encourages their bodies to produce natural analgesic to reduce their pain.
Sugar has been used since the 1100’s and people around the globe has been using it for almost a millennia by now.
Too much of anything is not good for anyone, but sugar is one of the wonderful treasures we have and there are so many ways to enjoy without abusing it. Let me know what you think, I would love to hear your feedback.
