With a seemingly endless selection of gluten-free sweeteners, we’ve got something for everyone.
Have a gluten allergy, or simply a desire to avoid it? Good news: Here at Health Garden, you’ve got choices— many choices, we might add.With a seemingly endless selection of gluten-free sweeteners, we’ve got something for everyone. Here, we highlight three of our go-to gluten-free selections, perfect for baking up a tasty confection.
Allulose Sweetener
Perfect for baking, sauces, and glazes, Allulose is a low calorie sweetener with the same sweet taste you expect from sugar. That said, while Allulose behaves, tastes, and even feels like sugar, don’t be fooled: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not count it as sugar; rather, they label it as a carbohydrate. Initially identified in wheat, this gluten-free sweetener can be found in certain fruits, like jackfruit, figs, and raisins, and is present in small quantities in a number of sweet foods, including caramel sauce and maple syrup.
Xylitol
Similar to Allulose, Xylitol looks and tastes like sugar and is found in small amounts in many fruits and vegetables. Suitable for gluten-free diets, Keto diets, and Paleo diets, Xylitol is a healthy alternative to sugar in more ways than one, containing 40% fewer calories at 2.4 calories per gram. It’s also good for your teeth: Studies have found that Xylitol boosts dental health and helps prevent tooth decay. Processed from trees like birch or from a plant fiber called xylan, this sweetener is ideal for cooking and low-rise baking.
Agave Raw
For centuries, Mexicans have used Agave Raw as a natural sweetener. Today, gluten-free individuals will love the fact that this sweetener is not only gluten-free, but high in nutrients and antioxidants. It also rates lower on the glycemic index than sugar, making it a safer alternative for diabetics (in moderation, of course). Just remember: With Agave Raw, less is more, as it’s 33% sweeter than table sugar. That’s why it’s perfect for fulfilling that sweet tooth craving every once in a while.
