By Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, POPSUGAR
If you've been in the healthy game for a while, you know that it feels like Christmas morning when you find a sweet snack that fits with your lifestyle. But when we heard about Lakanto monk fruit sweetener being a healthy sugar alternative (possibly even better than Stevia), we just had to learn more about it. Lakanto sweetener is (keto) diet-friendly, even though it comes from a fruit, which is typically a no-no. Even Starbucks is jumping on the trend. Here's what you need to know about the sweetener on the rise!
If you've been in the healthy game for a while, you know that it feels like Christmas morning when you find a sweet snack that fits with your lifestyle. But when we heard about Lakanto monk fruit sweetener being a healthy sugar alternative (possibly even better than Stevia), we just had to learn more about it. Lakanto sweetener is (keto) diet-friendly, even though it comes from a fruit, which is typically a no-no. Even Starbucks is jumping on the trend. Here's what you need to know about the sweetener on the rise!
What Is It?
[post_ads]Lakanto sweetener is derived from monk fruit, which looks like a small green gourd native to regions of China and Thailand. The monk fruit is picked and dried out before extraction. The result is a sweetener that is 150 to 200 times sweeter than sugar! It is also said to not have a bitter aftertaste like brands such as Stevia. There's also a golden Lakanto monk fruit sweetener, which is closer to a brown sugar.
What Does It Do?
The health benefits of monk fruit sweetener are still emerging, however, there is evidence that it:
- Decreases inflammation
- Combats fatigue
- Acts as a natural antihistamine (to fight allergies)
- Fights infections
- Prevents cancer
What's the Nutritional Breakdown?
There's no hidden fructose here! Lakanto has zero calories, four grams carbohydrates, zero grams sugar, and four grams sugar alcohol. It also doesn't impact blood sugar or insulin levels. So if you're watching your sugar intake or on the keto diet, this is a good option since the sweetener's only ingredients are non-GMO erythritol and monk fruit extract.
What Does It Taste Like?
Sugar! We're sure that you can find plenty of dishes to swap in some monk fruit sweetener.
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How Do I Eat It?
It can be used from your morning coffee to baking recipes. Lakanto comes in classic, powdered, and liquid forms, so the ratio to sugar will vary depending on which you use.
Lakanto sweetener and products are available online, as well as at Whole Foods and on Amazon. One bag of classic monk fruit sweetener is $8.
Are There Any Negative Side Effects?
Monk fruit sweetener is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and does not need to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, it was notified of the GRAS status. Cheers to natural sugar!
