The Top 3 Reasons to Substitute Honey For Sugar As Your Primary Sweetener

In all my recipes, I prefer to substitute honey for sugar. If it were possible, I would eliminate sugar from my household entirely. Although sugar appears to be a convenient and readily available ingredient that is easy to measure and use in recipes, there are three significant reasons to avoid it. If you are health-conscious like most individuals, I recommend reading this blog.

Raw Unpasteurized Honey Contains Real Nutrients

When I first considered removing honey from my recipes, I was worried and hesitant to start. However, I was pleasantly surprised that it was not as difficult as anticipated. Honey can be used as a direct replacement for sugar at a 1:1 ratio, but it's essential to remember the added moisture it provides. Additionally, unpasteurized honey has a lower glycemic index of 58, which means it won't cause as significant of a spike in blood sugar levels as sugar would. Despite containing carbohydrates, honey also contains amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and various compounds such as volatile chemicals, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and carotenoids

that provide potent antioxidant properties. These compounds have been linked to beneficial effects against various degenerative diseases like cancer, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease (Singh and Singh, 2018; Nayik et al., 2018).

It's important to understand that not all honey is created equally. Bees create honey by collecting nectar from flowers and altering it chemically with invertase enzymes from their salivary glands. Some beekeepers may supplement the bees' food with "candy" or syrup during winter to ensure they have enough to survive. However, inexperienced beekeepers may also supplement during summer, which can dilute the honey and decrease its nutritional value. Additionally, honey that's been supplemented may contain added sugar that you may want to avoid. Sugar syrup and candy are not processed by bees the same way as nectar, and while enzyme invertase changes the sugar form from sucrose to glucose and fructose, it's still sugar and nothing more.

Sugar Causes More Issues Than You Know

Excessive sugar consumption can lead to various health problems, including heart disease, fatty organs, and insulin resistance. It can also impair appetite control, cause depression, and increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. In contrast, honey has many household uses beyond simply consuming it. It possesses antibacterial and microbial properties and can be used in skincare products, cough drops, and fermentation. My personal favorites are honey salve for healing and fermented garlic for immunity-boosting. Choosing to buy local honey can have numerous benefits for your health. During my herbology studies, I learned that many natural remedies for seasonal ailments could be found in the form of weeds growing nearby. I believe that the bees' collection of nectar from these plants can transfer some of their health benefits into honey.

Keep in Mind When You substitute Honey for Sugar, that Honey Has Different Tastes

Did you know that the taste of honey changes depending on the time of year the bees collected it and which flowers they took nectar from? Honey can range from a light golden color to a deep, dark brown shade—usually, the lighter the color, the milder the taste. I absolutely enjoy experimenting with different flavors of honey when making dishes. For instance, wildflower honey can give homemade barbeque sauce just the right amount of sweetness, while clover honey can balance out the tartness of black currant berries and highlight the nutty taste of hazelnuts. Next time you are at the farmers market, stop by a honey stall and sample all the unique flavors they offer. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Where To Get Honey

Replacing sugar with raw, unpasteurized local honey has been one of the best decisions I have made regarding my health. It is slightly pricier than processed sugar but can be considered liquid gold due to its numerous health and household benefits. You can easily find local honey by visiting farmers' markets or taking a scenic drive to the countryside. There are also Facebook groups centered around honey. If you decide to purchase from your local grocery store, it is essential to research the company to ensure that the product is genuine, as honey is one of the most commonly faked foods worldwide. Ultimately, it is up to us as consumers to make informed choices about what we put into our bodies.

If you’re looking for a trusted source of raw, local honey, you can order directly from our farm here - harvested with care and integrity, just the way nature intended. If you’d like to learn more about our apiary philosophy and how we care for our bees, click here.