In an attempt to eat healthy, we often find ourselves grappling with the sugar dilemma. On one hand, we hear dire warnings about sugar’s impact on our health – from weight gain to diabetes and heart disease. On the other hand, we encounter a sweet alternative that seems too good to be true: honey. But is honey truly the golden answer to our sugar problems, or is it just another sweet myth? Let’s dive into this sticky debate.
Also Read: Honey, Lemon and Water: Urban Myth or Miracle Potion?
The Natural Sweetener Showdown: Honey vs. Sugar
Before we declare a winner, let’s understand what makes honey and sugar different.
Honey: It’s a natural sweetener produced by bees from the nectar of flowers. Honey contains glucose and fructose, making it sweeter than table sugar. It also boasts a mix of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which vary depending on the type of flowers the bees visit.
Also Read: 7 Sugar-Free Breakfast Recipes Perfect For Diabetes Diet
Sugar: When we talk about sugar, we often mean refined white sugar, which comes from sugar cane or sugar beets. This sweetener is essentially pure sucrose, stripped of any nutrients during processing.
In general, honey is definitely a better choice than sugar. It offers many nutrients and boosts immunity. But is it a good idea to replace sugar with honey on a diabetes diet for weight loss?
“Absolutely not!” says dietitian Mac Singh bursting the bubble many of us have been living in. In an Instagram post, the dietitian made some compelling arguments to back his statement. Let’s see.
Honey Vs Sugar – Is Honey Healthier?
Honey has more calories than sugar
The dietitian revealed that one teaspoon of honey has 64 Kcal. And if you take one teaspoon of sugar, it has 48 Kcal, which is much less than the amount of calories in honey. Surprised? So were we when we saw this.
Honey has more carbs than sugar
Carbs gain a lot of importance in a weight loss diet. Our aim is to consume less carbs to lose weight quickly. But if you replace sugar with honey in your diet, you may end up consuming more carbs. The dietitian shared that honey contains 17 grams of carbs while contains 14 grams of carbs. The difference is not much, but it is there.
The glycaemic index is almost the same
Yes, Mac Singh says that the difference in the glycemic index of honey and sugar is not much, so you can say it’s almost the same. So, honey doesn’t prove to be better for a diabetes diet.
Wait, but what about nutrition from honey?
Agree honey is a nutrient powerhouse with high levels of iron, calcium and other nutrients but since we don’t (and should not) consume it in high quantities, we are not missing out on much.
Honey is a tasty and healthier alternative to sugar when used in moderation for a balanced diet. But, for diabetics, both honey and regular sugar are metabolized in a similar fashion, risking a spike in blood sugar levels. If you have specific health conditions or dietary requirements, it’s wise to consult a healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalized guidance on sweeteners and overall nutrition.