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Step 1
If you are not against using artificial substitutes then there are five major fake sugars available and approved for human consumption, saccharin, aspartame, sucralose, neotame, and acesulfame potassium. There is ongoing controversy as to the potential side affects from these substitutes. Saccharin is the oldest on the market being sold as Sweet-and-Low and is readily available in grocery stores. Aspartame is another option sold as NutraSweet, also found in grocery stores nationwide. Sucralose is commonly known as Splenda in the US and E955 in Europe. Neotame is not available in retail markets and is a variation of aspartame. Acesulfame potassium also known as Sunette is used in combination with other sweeteners to balance out the flavors, but is not available retail.
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Step 2
Some natural sugars are available and offer a variety of complex flavors. Barley malt syrup, molasses, brown rice syrup, date sugar, evaporated white grape juice, honey, maple syrup and stevia are the most commonly found in grocery stores and health food stores across America. Since most are from plants or grains, they also have the added benefit of minerals and vitamins.
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Step 3
Another sugar substitute becoming more common is the sugar alcohols. They are neither sugar nor alcohol but a carbohydrate that acts like a sugar and like an alcohol but without any ethanol. The most commonly known ones are sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, maltitol syrup, lactitol, erythritol, isomalt and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates. You will see these terms listed on the label of many low calorie packaged ingredients today. They are not available to the general public for retail sale.
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Step 4
Of course, fruits are another option when it comes to using a sweetener. Raisins, dates, prunes, grapes, apples and oranges all can be used in various methods to provide sweetening. Apricots, mangoes, pineapples, bananas and the list goes on for almost every fruit there is. Using the juice or the pureed flesh instead of sugar produces wonderful results.
