What does the term "natural" mean? As it applies to sweeteners it can mean many things. Become sugar selective! The following sweeteners will provide lots of steady energy because they take a long time to digest. These natural choices such as maple syrup and honey offer rich and distinct flavors, vitamins and minerals, without the ups and downs of refined sugars.

It takes about 40 gallons of maple sap to make 1 gallon of maple syrup, but like honey, that little goes a long way! Maple syrup is roughly 66% - 67% sucrose, and contains small amounts of trace minerals, which we all need for our bodies. Maple syrup has a rich taste and is absorbed fairly quickly into the bloodstream. Be sure to select real maple syrup that has no added corn syrup. Also look for syrups that are produced by organic producers who do not use formaldehyde to prolong sap flow. It is illegal to use this stuff in the U.S., but it has been rumored that some Canadian processors still use this. Grade A syrups come from the first sap; they range in color from light to dark amber. Grade B syrups come from the last sap and have more minerals and stronger flavor and color. For more on this, go to www.massmaple.org Massachusetts Maple Producers Association

This refined simple sugar has the same molecular structure as fruit sugar; it's almost twice as sweet as white sugar, yet releases glucose into the bloodstream much more slowly. Extra sugar gets stored in your liver as glycogen instead of continuing to flood your bloodstream, thus, crystalline fructose appeals to diabetics and hypoglycemics. However, crystalline fructose can raise triglyceride levels in sedentary sweet eaters who aren't burning enough fat. Weight loss studies have shown that people eat 20-40% less food when drinking beverages sweetened with fructose, and dental studies report less plaque buildup.

This sweetener is made from dried, ground dates and is light brown with a sugary texture. Date sugar retains many naturally-occurring vitamins and minerals found in dates, is 65% sucrose and has a fairly rapid effect on blood sugar.

All concentrates are not created equally. Highly refined juice sweeteners are labeled "modified". These sweeteners, similar to white sugar, have lost their fruit flavor along with their nutrients. Better choices are fruit concentrates that are evaporated in a vacuum. These retain rich flavors and aromas, along with many vitamins and minerals. Beware of white grape juice concentrates that aren't organic; their pesticide residues can be high!

Molasses, a by-product of sugar production, is a highly processed, simple sugar that enters the bloodstream rapidly. Molasses may also contain chemical residues associated with the growing and refining of white sugar. Only use organic produced molasses.

Chromium picolinate, GTF chromium, B Complex vitamins, and calcium plus magnesium.

Licorice root, Siberian ginseng, vitamin C & bioflavonoids, and B complex vitamins.

L-glutamine (an amino acid), chromium picolinate, GTF chromium, royal jelly, bee pollen, and gymnema sylvestra.

L-cysteine (an amino acid), spirulina (take between meals), fiber (take 1/2 hour before meals), chromium picolinate, and garcinia cambogia.

Try taking gymnema sylvestra before your next sugary indulgence. This herb can block the absorption of up to 50% of your sugar calories and help keep both your blood sugar and your weight steady. Gymnema also desensitizes your taste buds so you don't taste sugar's sweetness.

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