WINTER BREAKFAST BOWL 🍓💚🍓

Hello my Dearest Foodies,

Happy 1st weekend of 2020!!! It is time to unwind and relax after the first few busy days of the new year. I have not only new super healthy recipe for you, but also some insightful information about HEALTHIER SUGAR ALTERNATIVES.

As many of you know, I never use traditional, refined sugar in my recipes for obvious reasons. However, for those of you who are not familiar with these facts, please READ HERE.

Simply said, processed white sugar is a poison to our bodies and it's best to be taken out of diet completely. However, we all like to indulge on something sweet at least once at day, besides fruits. Whether piece of chocolate or a cookie and even warm and sweet breakfast bowl like this one.

Luckily, there are many options on the market today, although they may not be as cheep as regular sugar, but who can't put price on your health? Anyway, today I would like to start with DATE SUGAR that seems to be the healthiest sugar substitute on the market. I have been always using dates in my raw dessert recipes, but date sugar is new to me and this is the first recipe made with it.

It was not too long ago when I read very inspiring post by Katie @plantstoplanks about her date sugar experiment that you can READ HERE if you like. About a week later, while I was shopping, I found it in HOME SENSE for a very good price. Only $7.99 for 454gr, meanwhile on Amazon the price is almost $20,00 CAN. I am not sure if I will be so lucky again, lol.

Anyway, I took couple photos of some sugar alternatives I have at home and I am also including more information about them at the end of this post. Please take a look if you are interested.

WINTER BREAKFAST BOWL
Oatmeal with Date Sugar & Plant Based Yogurt
Vegan – Gluten Free – Refined Sugar Free
Author: Lena’s Vegan Living

INGREDIENTS
• Rolled oats 1/2 cup
• Water 1 1/2 cup
• Chia 1 tbs
• Date sugar to taste (or other sweetener of your choice)
• Vegan protein powder 1 tbs
• Plain plant-based yogurt (I use So Delicious Brand)
• Crushed hazelnuts 1tbs
• Cacao bits 2 to taste
• Vegan chocolate (optional)
• Sliced strawberries and banana or other fruits of your choice

PROCESS
• In a pot, bring water into boil and add oats.
• Reduce the heat and stir until the mixture thickens.
• Take it off the heat, add sugar, chia, protein powder, yogurt and stir well.
• Transfer to your bowl.
• Top with fruits, hazelnuts and cacao bits.

HEALTHY SUGAR ALTERNATIVES

Altough I have other swteeteners at home besides these,I took photo of these four. The reason for that is that based on my research and experience they are the best sugar alternatives.

Now I would like to give you little deail about each one and reaon why I like them.

ERYTHRITOL
Even though I have been using Xylitol so far and I like it, I am replacing it with Erythritol because it’s healthier and has 0 calories and super low glycemic index. It is also rich in antioxidants; however, they are minor side effect and should not be consumed in large amounts. READ MORE HERE

Now the main reason why I like it, it’s because of the taste and texture, so it’s great for making pastries. It’s is almost as sweet as regular sugar, but not quite. About 70%.

XYLITOL
Very similar to Erythritol, however, it has 10 calories per 1 tsp, very glycemic index and more side effects. Although, it is sweeter than regular sugar, so you need less. READ MORE HERE

DATE SUGAR
Is the healthiest and the most natural sweetener out there, with only 10 calories per tsp and low moderate to low glycemic index. However, it is little bit less sweet than regular sugar. It has very light sweet flavour, therefore I believe it can work quite well for baking pastries, unless the recipe requires white sweeter. Because as you can see on the photo, date sugar is light brown. READ MORE HERE

COCONUT SUGAR
At last, I am including already well-known Coconut Sugar that is proven to be heathy because is also natural with moderate glycemic index. Well low, compare to regular sugar. It contains little bit more calories than date sugar 15 per tsp, but it is sweet as regular sugar. However, it is very dark with slightly caramel taste and it is not always appropriate for baking. READ MORE HERE

Besides these top sweeteners I also use STEEVIA for coffee and tea which healthy with 0 calories and super low glycemic index, but has very strong after taste, so it is not good for any other use. Same applies for MONK FRUIT sugar. At last, my favorite MAPLE SYRUP, although natural, but with high glycemic index and high calories, lol. Therefore, it should be used only with moderation. For those of you who are not vegan, and you are using HONEY, same thing applies. Neverthelss, Honey or Maple Syrup natural, therfore they are fine for helathy individuals.

To see for yourself, check the guide:
GLYCEMIC INDEX FOR SWEETENERS

THANK YOU FOR VISITING & BON APPETIT
FOR RECIPES PLEASE VISIT MY Lena's Vegan Living Blog

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