Dates Are The Best White Sugar Substitute You Probably Haven't Tried

Just about everyone loves a sweet treat. I mean, how can you not? The options for desserts and sweet-tooth curbing snacks are endless — a scoop of ice cream with sprinkles, Greek baklava, tres leches, sweet potato pie ... the list goes on forever. 

Having a penchant for the sweet stuff isn't just a result of loving grandma's cookies, however. It's an evolutionary trait. According to Nutritious Life, humans have evolved to enjoy desserts because our bodies rely on glucose — blood sugar — to give us energy. Sugary foods also trigger a chemical in the brain called dopamine which makes us feel happy — the more dopamine you get from sugar, the more you want it.

Despite sweet foods and drinks tasting so irresistibly good, they're not so good for you. Harvard Health Publishing says that excess consumption of sugar can cause dental erosion, weight gain, and diabetes and even lead to heart disease. Limiting your sugar intake is the best way to avoid the consequences of consuming too much sugar.

But wait! There are healthier alternatives to sugar that can help keep your sweet tooth satisfied.

Most desserts, candied treats, and sweet beverages call for white sugar. But as we know, that's not always a great option for someone working on improving their health. And while alternatives like honey, maple syrup, and agave nectar make for sweet sugar substitutes, dates excel at mimicking the familiar flavor of white sugar.

Dates are fibrous stone fruits that grow on trees and boast a high natural fructose content which lends to their sugary aroma (per Healthline). According to a study found in Nutrition Journal, dates also have a low glycemic index which makes them ideal for diabetic people with a sweet tooth. But dates are more than just a white sugar alternative; they're also considered a superfood that can improve your overall health (per Healthline). 

You can use whole dates to sweeten up smoothies, distill them into syrup for a pancake topper, or dry them out to create a powder for a more traditional sugar texture.

However you choose to use them, here's to eating less sugar and more dates!