Sweetener Alternatives for Your Morning Coffee and Tea

In the Ask Elizabeth, RDN. section of Issue #11 a reader asked the question "What can I use instead of honey or sugar in my tea and coffee?"

Here's what I had to say.

Cutting back on our sugar intake is always a plus! Women should limit their daily added sugar intake to 24 grams daily; men get a little bit more, at 36 grams. Though honey has more nutritional benefits than sugar due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, it is still calorically dense, at 60 calories per tablespoon.

If you want to cut back on the sugar and/or calories, I recommend Stevia or my new favorite, Monk Fruit sweetener. You’ll enjoy the sweetness without the added calories or blood glucose spikes.

It may take awhile for your tastebuds to get used to any new sweetener, but stick with it and before you know it, you won’t even miss the sugar or honey!