Sweetness Without the Sugar: Alternative Brands

England has a massive sweet tooth, and we have lots of dental surgeries to prove it! But natural sugar in small amounts is fine, it’s the huge uptake of refined sugar in grocery products (often hidden). For instance, most ‘low-fat yoghurts’ have heaps of sugar, even smoothies.

Never use xylitol (a birch sugar) near pets. Just a few dropped crumbs can be lethal. It’s also found in most chewing gum and some natural toothpastes, so choose xylitol-free alternatives (even licking from around your mouth or a sink could be lethal).

Always seal jars to avoid ants finding sweet liquids, and rinse well before recycling.

Organic date syrup is a rich and fruity dark syrup made from organic dates, sold in a glass jar with metal lid. This makes a great alternative to refined sugar. It’s organic and vegan, use in hot drinks, desserts and baking. Or try the organic oat syrup.

Organic barley malt syrup has a rich mellow taste and a milder sweetness than sugar, honey or maple syrup, so less likely to overpower the taste of others foods. Use to sweeten hot drinks, or use as toppings for cakes and pancakes, or use in baking.

This is stickier than rice malt syrup and has a molasses-type flavour. Also good as a binder, add to the liquid ingredients, you may need to adjust quantities of solid ingredients, to avoid creating too-wet batters.

This is made by sprouting organic grains to release digestive enzymes to break down starches, proteins and fats. These then break down into natural sugars, to create a delicious syrup that is around half as sweet as refined white sugar.

Organic rice malt syrup is used the same. This has a butterscotch caramel flavour.

Organic Oat Biscuits are all made without palm oil and are also vegan. They are made with organic Scottish oats and coconut and olive oils. In Miso maple and sweet date.

Date treats (taste like Snickers bars!)

These Snickers Dates (Purely Kaylie) are ideal if you like to munch on Snickers bars, but are concerned re animal ingredients, palm oil, refined sugar, plastic packaging or your waistline!

Keep chocolate and nuts away from pets. 

Dates are super-good for you (though check if you have diabetes). Naturally sweet, they are packed with calcium, and good for your tummy.

This recipe is super-simple, just splurge on medjool dates. They are basically just  stuffed with peanuts and peanut butter (choose organic to avoid palm oil) then covered in melted dark chocolate.

It’s really easy to recreate most popular chocolate bars (responsible for most of our street plastic litter). You just consider what it is, then find a recipe. For instance:

• Twix is just shortbread covered in chocolate
• Kit kats are just wafers covered in chocolate
• Bounties are just dessicated coconut in chocolate

Avoid refined white sugar

In England, most refined sugar is not filtered through bone char (unlike abroad). But it’s still like poison to your body. It rots your teeth, extra sugar turns to fat, and contributes to everything from obesity to type-diabetes.

Although sugar is natural in its pure form, sugar eaten as pure white spoonfuls loaded into your mug of tea, is not the same as the natural sugar beet say that a wild creature would eat in the meadow.

• If you have a real sweet tooth, just try to gradually reduce sugar in your cuppa, rather than add artificial sweeteners. Just very slowly reduce the amount you put in, and in a few weeks, your tastebuds will have adjusted. Or at least get down to one teaspoon of natural brown sugar!
• Fresh sweet fruits are good, as are sweet vegetables: carrots, corn, beetroot. All can be made into healthy plant-based desserts that you can find online.
• One of the best ways to reduce refined sugar, is to swap to sustainable soda drinks, which tend to be made with fresh fruits, soda waters and natural cane sugars.
• Be wary of low-fat foods. Often these foods (yoghurts, smoothies) are loaded with sugar instead. It’s better to just choose the full-fat versions, with less sugar as a treat.

Sweet Freedom Flavoured Syrups (made from fruit)

Sweet Freedom is a range of flavoured syrups, all made from apple and carob, to sweeten drinks and baking, and there is also a Barista version to sweeten coffees in shops, hotels ansd restaurants. Using apple and carob means a little fibre, no refined sugar, much better for teeth!

Unlike some flavoured syrups, these are all vegan-friendly.

Why are Sweet Freedom syrups better?

Most coffee syrups on sale are made from processed sucrose (not real fruit), which cause sugar crashes and have no nutrition or fibre. Many brands also contain dairy milk and/or artificial sweeteners.

Is Sweet Freedom safe for children?

Older children are fine with it, but like anything avoid too many sugar foods, including avoidance for babies. Keep away from pets due to sugar and unsafe ingredients like vanilla, spices and chocolate.

Are Sweet Freedom syrups okay for diabetics?

Although sweetened with fruit over refined sugar, still contact your GP as they could still effect blood sugar. And should always be used sparingly.

How to use Sweet Freedom syrups

• Add to coffee, lattes and frappés
• Add to cocktails or mocktails
• Drizzle over porridge
• Stir into smoothies or yoghurt
• Add to baking recipes
• Drizzle on pancakes or waffles
• Pour over ice-cream

The range includes:

• Vanilla
• Caramel
• Hazelnut
• Gingerbead
• Cinnamon
• Pistachio
• Honeycomb
• Raspberry
• Butterscotch
• Pancake syrup (tastes like golden syrup)
• Fruit syrup (add to baking recipes)
• Light syrup (a neutral sugar alternative)

These syrups are also sold in bulk catering sizes.

Sweet Freedom Barista Syrups

The Barista range is runnier, and specifically designed to add to hot drinks. Try them for coffee, frappes and cocktails. Choose from:

• Caramel
• Hazelnut
• Vanilla

Again these are available in catering sizes, with reusable pumps.

How to store opened Sweet Freedom syrups

Once open, store top down in a cool dry place, and use within 8 weeks. Like all sweet foods, ensure the top is on secure to avoid ants and bees.

Where to buy Sweet Freedom syrups

You can find these in most good stores and supermarkets. Or order online, including bargain bundles.

How to recycle Sweet Freedom packaging

Glass jars and metal lids are easy to recycle at kerbside or bottle banks. The bottles are made from 30% post-consumer plastic, and again easy to recycle.

Rinse both containers thoroughly in hot water before recycling to remove sticky liquids (this also helps to deter inquisitive wildlife at recycling plants).

Sweet Freedom Choc Shot Spreads (no palm oil)

Sweet Freedom Choc Shot is a small range of flavoured chocolate spreads and syrups, ideal for drizzling and can also be used to make a healthy vegan hot chocolate. All sweetened with apple and carob.

The spread is sold as:

• Original
• Caramel
• Hazlenot

The syrups are available in:

• Original
• Cherry (Black Forest flavour!)
• Raspberry
• Caramel
• Orange
• Mint
• Brownie

Does Choc Shot have caffeine?

Yes, so it is best avoided for pregnant and nursing women.

Is Sweet Freedom safe for children?

Older children are fine with it, but like anything avoid too many sugar foods, including avoidance for babies. Keep away from pets due to sugar and unsafe ingredients like vanilla, spices and chocolate.

Is Choc Shot okay for diabetics?

Although sweetened with fruit over refined sugar, still contact your GP as they could still effect blood sugar. And should always be used sparingly.

Does Choc Pot contain palm oil?

No, like all Sweet Freedom products, there is no palm oil. This reduces carbon emissions and protects habitats for orangutans and other endangered species.

Palm oil is used as an emulsifer. So the only caveat is that it may separate. So just use a spoon to stir it back together!

Why is Sweet Freedom Choc Pot better?

Unlike Nutella, Sweet Freedom Choc Shot is vegan and free from palm oil and refined sugar. It also has fibre, half the calories and 75% less fat. And is made by an artisan homegrown brand.

How to use Choc Shot spreads

• Spread on toast
• Drizzle over oat cakes or rice cakes
• Drizzle on pancakes

How to make Sweet Freedom Hot Chocolate

To make a mug of hot chocolate, add 3 to 4 teaspoons per 200ml of oat drink.

How to store opened Choc Shot

Store Choc Pot spreads in the fridge, and use within 6 weeks. The syrups should be stored top down in a cool dry place, and used within 8 weeks.

Like all sweet foods, ensure the top is on secure to avoid ants and bees.

Where to buy Sweet Freedom Choc Shot

You can find these in most good stores and supermarkets. Or order online, including bargain bundles.

How to recycle Sweet Freedom packaging

Glass jars and metal lids are easy to recycle at kerbside or bottle banks. The bottles are made from 30% post-consumer plastic, and again easy to recycle.

Rinse both containers thoroughly in hot water before recycling to remove sticky liquids (this also helps to deter inquisitive wildlife at recycling plants).

Naturally Sweet Vegan Treats (from Sweden)

Learning to cook your own food is empowering, as you no longer have to rely on expensive plastic-wrapped ready-meals and takeaways. Master your favourite cuisines at home, using wholesome easy-to-find ingredients you can find in any grocery store.

Naturally Sweet Vegan Treats is a stunning book of desserts that are all naturally sweetened from ‘Miss Marzipan’ of Stockholm! Many are based around seasonal produce, and others inspired by travels in Europe. To avoid palm oil, make your own pastry (keep fresh dough away from children and pets). 

Bin allium scraps (onion, leeks, garlic, shallots, chives) and citrus/tomato/rhubarb scraps, as acids could harm compost creatures. It’s okay to put them in food waste bins (made into biogas).

Before recycling cans, rinse then remove lids (pop ring-pulls over holes). Then step on the can to ‘pinch’ inner rims together, to avoid wildlife getting trapped. 

Learn to make desserts both free of artificial sweeteners, yet low in natural sugars (sweetened instead with maple syrup, coconut sugar or fresh and dried fruits).

Recipes include:

• Roasted Peach & Banana Pancakes
• Vegan Neapolitan Ice Cream Cake
• Blueberry Cupcakes
• Figgy Energy Bars
• Banana ‘Kladdkaka’
• Lemon Scones
• Pumpkin & Candied Pecan Hand Pies
• Chocolate Cake Batter Waffles
• Chocolate Celebration Cake
• Veggie Patch Brownies

Marisa’s recipes are amongst the best I’ve come across. Easy to follow yet wholesome and absolutely delicious. You can’t go wrong with this book. Kim-Julie Hansen

Marisa’s book is one of the very few that uses only wholesome and nutrient-dense ingredients, and turns them into sweet treats that taste amazing. Julia Lette (naturopath and nutritionist)

Marisa Alvarsson (aka Miss Marzipan) is a chef and photographer, who has been nominated for a Saveur Award. She lives in Sweden.

Link above to her Instagram account to find more recipes for her naturally sweet vegan treats (not in the book) like this oat yoghurt cake and apple strudel.