Substituting Honey for Sugar

Let's start this discussion by simply comparing the two main ingredients which we are talking about in this article, sugar and honey. Even though they are both sweeteners that include glucose and fructose, there is a huge difference in their components and health benefits. Sugar is a product of commercially manufactured crystals using sugar cane or beetroot as raw material. However, in this process of preparing it, all the important nutrients like acids, nitrogen elements, protein, vitamins and enzymes in the product are destroyed.

But unlike sugar, honey is a natural product which is slightly altered so that it can be presented well. It is 100% natural, with no chemicals and added flavors and has many additional properties and health benefits and is considered healthier than sugar. Therefore, thinking about all these factors, substituting honey for sugar in various dessert recipes can surely help in improving your family's health. Read on and find more about this substitute honey for sugar - ratio mentioned below.

Substituting Honey for Sugar in Recipes

Apart from all the health benefits of honey, there is only one drawback which is, that honey contributes to more amount of calories than table sugar. About one tablespoon of sugar which is actually sucrose contributes to 46 calories whereas one tablespoon of honey contributes about 64 calories to the body, increasing the body heat.

Other than this drawback of honey, it completely overshadows the benefits of table sugar which is almost negligible. Since sugar is a very important ingredient used in many food recipes and desserts like cakes and cookies, we are definitely subjected to very unhealthy eating. This can be avoided simply by substituting honey for sugar and stay away from heart disease. So, read on and find out different ways of how to substitute honey for sugar mentioned below just for you.

Substituting Honey for Sugar in Baking

• There are a number of reasons, why substituting honey for sugar is considered healthy. This is mainly because honey adds more moisture to the recipe than sugar, it is more dense, adds a lovely flavor, adds acids present in it, and acts as catalyst to the baking process.
• Using honey in baking always accentuates the flavor and color of the cake, cookies, pies or any other sugar free recipes. They also turn out to be very moist and soft as they are not subjected to the melting of sugar crystals in the food.
• The ratio used while you substitute honey for sugar in cookies and cakes is ¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon of honey to 1 cup sugar, to make the recipe delicious.

Substituting Honey for Sugar in Jams

• While preparing jams and jellies, you need a preservative which adds taste and flavor as well as gives the product a longer shelf life. You can also refer to shelf life of honey to find out more.
• In these desserts, sugar is said to be a very popularly used preservative, but there are side effects of sugar. Therefore, you can definitely think about substituting honey for sugar as it considered as a healthy preservative which provides both taste and shelf life.
• The ratio used is ¾ cup of sugar to ¾ cup honey and can be used effectively in canning.

Substituting Honey for Sugar in Tea

• As mentioned earlier, you can learn how to substitute honey for sugar in any recipe irrespective of being solid or liquid. Thus, using honey as a sweetener in tea or coffee could surely give you your daily dose of health.
• Instead of using liquid honey, if you don't want to use it as an add on in your tea after it is prepared, you can add honey crystals which are also available in the market while heating your tea.
• This is also one of those benefits of honey, where you can have honey in any liquid which you are fond of, as this form of honey doesn't make the place messy and can be stored for as long as possible.

With this absolutely useful information about substituting honey for sugar in your desserts and drinks, I am sure you can completely minimize the use of sugar in your food. So, make the healthier choice and practice good health daily with at least 1 tablespoon!