Choosing a raw food diet doesn't mean giving up on your sweet treats. The are many alternatives to help you avoid processed, refined sugar which contains only empty calories , with no nutritional benefit. Here are some healthy raw food products that can work as sugar substitutes

Organic raw sweeteners

Agave

Agave syrup or agave nectar comes from the Agave plant and is mainly is produced in the Guadalajara region in Mexico.  A lack of certification has led to many suppliers using the term 'raw' to apply to some Agave nectar products, when in reality commercial production often involves heating to temperatures exceeding 160F. Agave is quite high up on the GI index and some raw foodists have reported of a mild addiction to it's sugar-like rush.

Carob

The Carob tree is native to Mediterranean areas but is also cultivated in the USA. It produces Carob pods which are similar in appearance to green beans. These turn dark brown in maturity and can be harvested and eaten whole, or more commonly turned into Carob powder. An ancient food popular with the Egyptians, Greeks and Roman, it is now available in health food shops and online. You can buy dark and light versions, the darker variety generally has been roasted at high temperatures to give a richer flavour. Truly raw Carob powder consists of the ground Carob pods. It works great in puddings, or as a substitute to raw cacao (Carob contains no caffeine or theobromine stimulants).

Lucuma

Lucuma is a fruit native to the sub-tropical region of South America. In Peru and Chile lucuma is a popular flavour of ice-cream and is also used in milkshakes. You can buy it in a dehydrated powder form from your health food supplier and it has a sweet, maple like flavour. Use it as a direct substitute for sugar in any raw food dessert recipes or add to your favourite smoothie for an extra sweet treat. Lucuma has a low glycemic index.

Raw Honey

Honey is full of antibacterial properties and high in natural sugar content. The majority of honey sold in supermarkets has been pasteurized and heat treated and therefore not suitable for a 100% raw food diet. Truly organic, raw honey has not been filtered or heated and is generally darker and more cloudy. Honey is not considered a vegan product because bees are involved in the production.

Yacon

Yacon is a plant which is related to the sunflower and is native to the Andes in South America. It produces a sweet tasting tuberous root which is rich in antioxidants and low in calories. Yacon can be found in health shops as a dried food or bought as a syrup. Because it is high in fructooligosaccharide (FOS), Yacon has little effect on blood glucose levels and research has been carried out on the benefits of Yacon to diabetics. Yacon also functions as a prebiotic - stimulating beneficial bacteria in the intestine to help maintain the immune system .

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