Diabetes alert! 5 healthier alternatives to sugar

White sugar is widely infamous yet unavoidable. With its high caloric content, white sugar spikes blood sugar levels and leads to weight gain and diabetes. It has no nutritional value and only causes harm. While artificial sweeteners are touted to be worthy replacements, let us tell you they too have a sleuth of harmful ingredients. Why take the risk with artificial sweeteners when you can lay your head safely into mother-nature’s lap and make use of natural sweeteners. Here are 5 healthier replacements of sugar in your kitchen. Stevia: Extracted from stevia leaves, it is 300 times sweeter than sugar and is the best alternative to sugar. It has zero-glycemic index and contains no carbs or calories. Honey: Raw honey has a sleuth of health benefits and is the second best sweetener after stevia. Maple syrup: Loaded with minerals, vitamins and antioxidants, it is a great natural sweetener. Dates: They have a caramel like taste and are rich in calcium, sulphur, iron and magnesium. Coconut Palm sugar: Extracted from the buds of coconut trees, it has a deeper flavour than white sugar. It contains iron, potassium, zinc and magnesium.