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Clean Program
Clean Program
The Best Sweetener Options For A Clean Diet

The Best Sweetener Options For A Clean Diet

Discover Clean recommended sweeteners like monk fruit and coconut sugar to upgrade your treats. Enjoy guilt-free indulgence and support your well-being.

healthy Sweetener

One of the most significant changes people make as they progress throughout the Clean Program is to drop the refined and overly-processed sugars from their diet. This is one of the most powerful ways to transform your health for the better. Giving up sweets totally in our diets is daunting for many of us, and it is also unnecessary. With a few strategic substitutions, you can still enjoy your sweet treats in moderation.

Too much of a good thing

Too much refined and overly processed sugar is linked to hypoglycemia, heart disease, and diabetes, and we often have emotional attachments to sugary foods  that sabotage our health goals, particularly during times of stress. The following is a list of Clean recommended natural sweeteners for your 21-Day Cleanse and beyond.

Monk Fruit

⁤Monk fruit, also known as Luo Han Guo, is a natural sweetener derived from the monk fruit plant. ⁤⁤With zero calories and an intensely sweet taste, monk fruit makes for a perfect clean sugar-free alternative. ⁤⁤Many monk fruit products are mixed with erythritol, a sugar alcohol that may aggravate IBS symptoms for some. ⁤⁤For treats like these Buckeye Cookies, try using pure monk fruit for a sweet taste without the glycemic impact. ⁤⁤

Coconut Sugar/Nectar

Derived from the sap of coconut tree blossoms, coconut nectar is a low-glycemic sweetener high in minerals, amino acids, vitamin C, and broad-spectrum B vitamins. Coconut sugar is the sap evaporated at high temperatures until it takes on a granular form, which makes it a great choice for easy, healthier baking. If you have any doubts about the possibility of upgrading your baking with cleaner ingredients, try these amazing Gluten-Free Brownies.

Xylitol

Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol found in many fruits and vegetables. It is low-glycemic, and is often used as a sugar substitute for those with diabetes. As with any other sugar we encourage moderation, but feel free to sweeten your herbal tea with a bit of xylitol during your cleanse, and post-cleanse, a treat such as our Flourless Chocolate Cake is an excellent alternative to traditional white sugar varieties.

Whole Fruit

Whole fruit is the perfect package of natural sugars, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The fiber in whole fruit helps to slow the absorption of sugars, which prevents insulin spikes and unsteady blood sugar levels. For the initial cleanse we avoid oranges, grapefruits, bananas, strawberries, and grapes, as these are common allergens, but for a taste of something sweet nothing is better for you than whole, organic fruits. This delicious Peach Smoothie is a sweet treat balanced with some added protein and fat, making it a fantastic and energizing breakfast during your cleanse, and long-term smoothie rotation.

Dried Fruit

Dried fruit is a great addition to your cleansing and post-cleanse diet. Be sure to look for organic, and sugar, oil, and sulphite-free varieties to keep your choices clean and healthy. The balance of sugars, carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats in these Raw Nut Bars makes them an excellent healthy snack. Feel free to experiment with this recipe, and add some additional dried berries, approved dark chocolate chunks, nuts, or your favorite spices.

Adjust your taste

As with all sugars we recommend moderation, but you’ll find that the Clean Diet approved natural sweetnersand substitutions will offer you comfort and satiation without the detrimental effects of refined and overly processed varieties. Post-cleanse you can enjoy small amounts of organic raw honey or grade B maple syrup (which is less processed) as well. You will also find that as you go through the program, decrease the sugars in your diet, and increase your intake of greens and other vegetables, your palate will naturally shift towards healthier options, and less sugary foods overall in the long-term.

Written by Carolyn De Lorenzo

If you liked this article, you might also like Are There Benefits to a No-Sugar Diet Plan?

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