We all know that processed sugar is not only unhealthy but contains little to known nutritional value in our diets. Therefore as many people aim to reduce their sugar intake we look at five alternatives to sugar in your diet. Number one, birch sugar. Birch sugar, osacose, xylitol is a sugar alcohol which is used as a sugar substitute. It is a natural constituents of some vegetables and fruits such as cauliflower, berries and plums. Though birch sugar is most often produced from corncops these days. Birch sugar has about 40% less calories than refined sugar and does not cause your blood sugar level to rise as high after eating. In addition, birch sugar doesn't cause cavities and as a substitute has the same sweetness as regular processed sugar. Number two, honey. A personal favourite of mine is just natural honey as a substitute for sugar. Honey contains a lot of valuable nutrients and is considered one of the oldest sweeteners in the world as bees broke down flour nectar into simple sugars. Honey has numerous health properties and has long been used as a healing agent in natural medicine. As it has anti-inflammatory antibacterial and antiseptic properties and when paired with ginger can also be used to fight colds. Number three, jaggery. Jaggery is an unrefined sugar product made in Asia and Africa and is sometimes referred to as a non-centrifusual sugar because it's not spongy and processing to remove the nutritious molasses. This makes it more nutritious than refined sugar as jaggery may also contain small amounts of bee vitamins and minerals including calcium, zinc, phosphorus and copper. However, it's worth noting that while jaggery is more nutritious than refined sugar, it still has a relatively high calorific content meaning that other substitutes can offer healthier alternatives. Number four, stevia. Stevia old glycoside or stevia as it's commonly known is a sugar substitute that is extracted from South American plant species, stevia, Rabanliana. It has been an approved food additive in the EU since 2011 and was actually previously known as a bath additive. Stevia has no calories and does not damage the teeth and additionally has no effect on your blood sugar levels so stevia can also be used by diabetics. However, it's worth having a sample test of stevia before using it as it can come with a slight bitter taste. Number five, coconut sugar. Coconut sugar is a substitute made from the nectar of the flower buds of the coconut palm and tastes a lot like caramel. Coconut sugar is said to contain many vitamins and minerals including magnesium, iron and zinc and its sweetness is comparable to ordinary granulated sugar. It's extracted by hand so can often come at a premium price, being considered a luxury item but one which can be an excellent substitute to refined sugar. However, it is quite a pure form of sugar and so should be used in moderation from sufferers of type 2 diabetes. Thanks for watching, please like, share and subscribe as we help you live life on your terms. Don't forget to hit the bell icon to ensure YouTube notifies you of the latest uploads.