How to Find Safe Sweeteners for Non-Toxic Living

Non-toxic living is a lifestyle chosen by individuals who want to avoid products made with chemicals and artificial ingredients. This lifestyle can help avoid complications due to diabetes and high blood pressure. Those living a non-toxic lifestyle can find safe sweeteners from a variety of places in their neighborhood. Follow these steps to find them.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet capability

Hunt for Safe Sweeteners

1. Start your search with a little research. Use HolisticMed.com's "Healthier Sweetener and Stevia Resources" Web page for a list of ingredients and types of sweeteners to avoid (see Resources below).
2. Consult with your family doctor. Doctors help hundreds of people find healthy alternatives to aid them in non-toxic living.
3. Locate the organic or health food section of your local grocery store. Based on increased demand, many grocery chains are beginning to market safe sweeteners and foods to help their customers eat healthier diets.
4. Search for safe sweetener at your local health food store. Natural sweeteners like raw honey and organic maple syrup are the mainstays of a delicious and non-toxic diet. Health food stores feature a wide assortment of condiments and sweeteners made from natural ingredients.
5. Meet with local farmers at the farmer cooperative in your area. Local farmers may be able to supply you with local honey. They also may be able to direct you to fellow organic producers in the area who have other sweeteners to offer.
6. Frequent local markets or bazaars during the summer and fall seasons. Individual producers and small companies use these local events as a place to sell their natural products, including sweeteners. Stock up on organic maple syrup and other non-toxic sweeteners.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask questions and read labels while searching for safe sweeteners. Health food and organic product retailers should be able to give you more information about a particular product. Ingredient lists should include specific natural ingredients to back up their organic claims. Determine good criteria for labels by consulting the "Health Castle" Web site (see Resources below).
• Prepare to spend more for organic and non-toxic sweeteners. Safe sweeteners and other non-toxic food products are on average more expensive than their name-brand counterparts.
• Deal quickly with allergic reactions that may come with use of non-toxic sweeteners. Natural ingredients can cause symptoms like swelling, which need your doctor's attention.