Sugar substitutes are just as popular as the crystalized sweetener we all know and love. With the increasing popularity of clean eating and healthy food trends, sugar substitutes are starting to lead the way. That’s why it’s crucial for sugar wholesale suppliers to branch out and sell artificial sweeteners.
But which products should be distributed instead of white and brown sugar substitute options? In this article, we will cover several choices that you can buy. Let’s dive right into it!
Top Sugar Substitutes On the Market
When you steer away from brands that specialize in selling sugar, you’ll realize that there are many alternatives. There are even white label sugar suppliers that also distribute similar wholesale products. Whether you’re opting for a zero-calorie powdered sugar substitute or a more natural replacement, you might be able to source it from the same place.
To kickstart your search for sugar substitutes, take a look at the following options below:
Stevia
Many consumers opt for food and beverages that include stevia as a sugar substitute. It provides an extremely sweet flavor that's reminiscent of cane sugar. But get this--it's zero calories! Stevia dissolves quickly in cold or hot drinks and is excellent for dessert menu items. As a restaurant owner or food manufacturer, you can't be without it.
Monk Fruit Sweetener
One of the highest-quality sugar substitutes is monk fruit sweetener. However, it can be a bit pricey on its own. That's why it's common to find sugar suppliers that blend monk fruit sweetener and stevia. Combining the two ingredients provides the consumer with a super sweet, zero-calorie sugar substitute. As a result, they can reap the benefits of the monk fruit plant while paying a price somewhere in the middle, thanks to the stevia.
Coconut Sugar
While it's still in the sugar family, coconut sugar has a much lower glycemic index than refined white sugar or brown sugar. Therefore, it's much healthier for the body. Since this sugar replacement comes from the sap of coconut palm trees, it contains small quantities of certain nutrients, including calcium and zinc. While a teaspoon or two of coconut sugar won't contain the daily recommended dose of these nutrients, it's better than nothing.
Honey
As one of the healthiest sugar substitutes on the market, honey is an incredible source of sweetness. While it might be higher in calories than the other sugar substitutes on this list, it surely has its benefits. For one, honey is chock-full of immune-boosting properties. That's thanks to the flower nectar that the bees produce. A single serving of honey also offers a laundry list of antioxidants and nutrients. Even though the high-calorie count might deter you from using it, this is a case where the pros outweigh the cons.
Agave
Various types of chefs and food manufacturers enjoy using agave syrup for its bold sweetness. It's a bit sweeter than sugar but has a lower glycemic index. Many people compare it to honey. However, one of the most distinct differences between agave and honey is that agave is 100% vegan, whereas honey is a bee product.
Sucralose
Did you know sucralose is approximately 600 times sweeter than sugar? That's a whole lot of sweetness. But get this--it contains zero calories. Therefore, you don't even need to use it as a 1:1 substitute for sugar. For instance, if a recipe calls for one cup of granulated sugar, half of a cup of sucralose might do the trick. Speaking of baking, sucralose is also heat-stable. So, feel free to use it when baking or cooking. And even though there aren't calories in sucralose, it can still raise blood sugar levels. Like anything else, it's important to consume it in moderation.
Erythritol Artificial Sweeteners
You have sugar, and then you have sugar alcohol content. Erythritol comes from the sugar alcohol in various types of fruit. It's almost as sweet as sugar but doesn't contain a high carb count. That's because you reduce the sugar alcohol content from the total grams of carbs listed on the nutrition label. So, it's common to find erythritol in keto-friendly snacks and drinks. And unlike sucralose, it has a very minimal impact on blood sugar levels. So, it's more feasible to go a bit overboard with it if need be.
Maple Syrup
That's right--the syrupy goodness you drizzle over pancakes and waffles makes for a fantastic sugar substitute. The content inside bottles of 100% natural maple syrup comes from the sap of maple trees, making it suitable for those who consume clean diets. So, despite its high calorie content, it's not processed like refined white sugar. The best part? It contains nutrients like calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and iron.
Date Sugar
Grounding up dried dates, the naturally sweet fruit can produce one of the most decadent sugar substitutes. Plus, the antioxidants and fiber found naturally in the fruit will be present in the sugar. However, its texture is not as light and airy as regular sugar, so it's not suitable for all recipes. Just remember to check with a culinary expert to see if it can serve as a sugar substitute for something you plan to prepare.
Why Every Restaurant Should Offer At Least One Sugar Substitute
Inclusivity is a foolproof way to win over the loyalty of consumers. Let’s say there’s a bakery or restaurant business that only uses one type of sweetener, and it’s sugar. That can deter a large portion of potential customers. To name a few, it can push those on keto, paleo, and diabetic diets toward competing brands.
But now imagine that this business offers customizable food and drinks. Or, different menu types that utilize various types of sugar and sugar substitutes. They’re now able to cater to a much larger customer base, enabling them to maximize revenue.
Consumers seek dining options that cater to their needs more often than you might think. Considering how simple it is to swap out sugar for a comparable substitute, this is an easy way to offer inclusivity within a food and beverage entity.
Choosing the Best Sugar Substitute
The sugar substitutes you opt for will depend on your needs and preferences. See below to discover which sugar substitutes are suitable for a few different dietary restrictions:
- Clean Eating: If you need clean sweeteners for your recipes, opt for sugar substitutes from fruits and plants. This includes ingredients like stevia, honey, monk fruit, date sugar, and coconut sugar.
- Low-Calorie Products: If you want to keep the calories of your recipes to a minimum, you need to use sugar substitutes that are low in calories. This search parameter will present you with ingredients like stevia, erythritol, and monk fruit.
- Vegan Dining: Many people are shocked to hear that sugar isn’t always vegan and cruelty-free. That’s because refined white sugar utilizes bone char to achieve a pure white color. So, not only is white sugar off the table, but honey is as well. So, if you’re preparing vegan recipes, agave, coconut sugar, and monk fruit are safe options.
Understand the key characteristics of all the sugar substitutes on the market to learn which ones suit you. Then, nurture that sense of inclusivity we talked about earlier and watch sales skyrocket.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sugar Substitutes
Want to learn more about sugar substitutes? Check out the following FAQ section for additional details:
What Are Some Natural Sugar Substitutes?
Some natural sugar substitutes include the following sweeteners:
- Stevia
- Monk fruit
- Coconut sugar
- Date sugar
- Honey
- Maple syrup
What Are the Healthiest Sugar Substitutes?
If you want to replace your bulk sugar wholesale shipments with something healthier, the best option is to purchase stevia and monk fruit instead. They’re healthy options and contain zero calories.
Are There Substitutes for Flavored Sugar?
Yes, if you usually purchase flavored sugar wholesale, you’ll be happy to learn that flavored sugar substitutes exist. For example, Truvia makes chocolate, caramel, and vanilla-flavored stevia. Truvia is a leader in the stevia market. If you know where to buy sugar wholesale, you automatically know where to source alternatives.
Do Sugar Substitutes Taste Like Real Sugar?
Yes, some sugar substitutes taste nearly identical to actual sugar. It’s pretty hard to tell the difference between monk fruit sweetener and erythritol–especially in baked goods.
Are Sugar Substitutes Better for Weight Loss?
Yes, to lose weight, you must be in a caloric deficit. Luckily, there are multiple zero-calorie sugar substitutes. Stevia, monk fruit, and erythritol are arguably the most popular options.
Sweet Alternatives Available Wholesale
With an order management platform like BlueCart, you can shop from vendors that sell all kinds of sugar substitutes. If you understand the question, “How is sugar shipped?” It's worth noting that the same rules apply to sugar substitutes, too. Plus, the sugar wholesale price shouldn’t be too different among alternatives. Want to take a look at a comprehensive wholesale directory? If so, schedule a demo today!