People may have any number of reasons to want to drop the refined white sugar from their diets. Some people want something with a lower glycemic index while others just want to get back to nature with their diet. If you have decided to make a change to a natural sweetener, no matter what the reason is, you may be wondering what your options are.

One great natural sweetener is blue agave.  This is the same plant that is used to make tequila When compared to sugar in sweetness, blue agave is considerably sweeter. It takes 1/4 of the amount of agave to sweeten to the same level of sugar. Agave syrup is typically organically produced. The agave syrups flavor is somewhat similar to honey mixed with vanilla.  The flavor is quite unique specifically to agave. You will most likely have to get used to the flavor.

Sweet sorghum syrup is referred to molasses in some parts of the country even though it is not molasses. Sorghum syrup comes from pressing the stems of sorghum plants and boiling off much of the water similar to maple syrup. It is easy to find organic sorghum syrup in health food stores.  Sorghum can be grown without herbicides and insecticides. Nutritionally sorghum is fairly high in iron. Sorghum syrup has a flavor similar to molasses but not quite as strong.

Maple syrup is gathered from sugar maples during the late winter early springtime of the year. The sap from the tree is collected and then boiled down to create syrup. Maple syrup contains high levels of manganese.  It also contains zinc and calcium. These are all elements our body needs to function correctly. Maple syrup is great when used in baking and can also be used to sweeten drinks.

The three sweeteners listed here are only the beginning of your options. Molasses and honey are also two good options along with less common syrup such as rice syrup. You have many options to choose from when it comes to less processed natural sweetners.