5 honey-like natural syrups that are loaded with nutrition

There are several reasons why a person would want to substitute honey in any dish. For instance, some people cannot consume honey because of dietary allergies. Also, there are people, who have adopted veganism and want to avoid honey as it is produced by bees. Most of the honey that you get in the market is either artificial (mixed with sugar) or adulterated with some other ingredients. Also, the store-bought can be heavily processed, which means it does not contain the qualities of honey, which can impact health as well. So, here are some of the healthy substitutes for honey that you should know about. (Images courtesy: iStock)

Also Read: Is the honey you are consuming actually healthy?

It’s a natural sweetener that’s collected from maple trees. Looking at this syrup health-wise, it is low in fructose, which makes it a healthier option as a sweetener. It also is a great source of zinc and manganese, a nutrient that promotes strong bones and maintains normal blood sugar levels.

Also Read: Replace your sweeteners with Maple Syrup

Another healthy alternative is rice malt syrup, which is also a natural sweetener. This syrup is made from cooked rice which is fermented to turn the starches into sugars. Rice syrup tends to have nutty flavour notes so it is important to be cautious when adding it to certain recipes. It is not considered a safe option for diabetics though.

Derived from the cactus plant - Agave, this nectar is super-sweet and browns faster than honey. Whenever using this nectar, make sure to check your baking product as the dishes can appear cooked which might not be the case. When substituting for honey, make sure that you reduce the liquid by 25-30 per cent. Also, make sure to reduce the cooking temperature so that it won’t brown too quickly. Agave nectar is also a great option for diabetics.

Also Read: What is Agave? Is it the perfect alternative to refined sugar?

Most commonly used to substitute molasses, barley malt syrup is also a great honey substitute. This syrup has been used as a natural syrup for centuries and is made from soaked and sprouted barley. It’s rich in dietary fibre, which improves the good bacteria in the gut. Also, this syrup is loaded with minerals and vitamins, which makes it a healthier alternative to honey.

This is a dark syrup made during the sugar-making process. It’s thick in consistency and can easily be used in place for honey. Make sure that you use light molasses as the darker ones can alter your recipes. Also, molasses are rich in vitamins and minerals and contain more antioxidants than honey.