Ask Chef Steve: About Sugar

Q. There are so many kinds of sugar. I've heard that none of them is very good for you, so what are they all for?

A. I’m not a nutritionist, but what you’ve heard is pretty much correct: sugar, for the most part, is sugar, though refined sugars are metabolized by the body more quickly than starch. (Therefore refined sugars tend to disrupt body chemistry more than starch does.)

While you might want to sometimes try satisfying your sweet tooth with fruit, when something sugary is the only thing that will do, here are a selection of sugar varieties for you to try:

• Brown sugar—both light and dark—has a molasses-like flavor and aroma. Both types are typically used in baking in the same measurements as regular sugar. They’re also great for sprinkling on hot cereals.

• Turbinado sugar, sometimes called raw sugar, is used predominantly in baking though it’s become popular in a lot of coffee shops as well. Its larger crystals are somewhat less processed than refined white sugar, but its effects on the blood sugar are the same.

• Brown rice syrup is a mild, minimally refined sweetener. Substitute it one to one for sugar, but reduce the total amount of liquid in the recipe by 1/4 cup per cup of brown rice syrup used.

• Honey is one of the least-refined sweeteners, but, like other sugars, it raises the blood sugar quickly and should be used in moderation. Always look for raw honey, which has its natural nutrients and enzymes intact. (Caution: Do not give honey to babies under 12 months of age because it may contain Clostridium botulinium spores that can cause botulism in an immature immune system; they are harmless after the first year of age.)

There is one natural sugar alternative that is gaining popularity: Stevia root, which is available in packets or liquid extract. Though very sweet, it isn’t a sugar, so it doesn’t affect blood sugar the way sugar does. It doesn’t taste exactly like sugar, but its fruity taste works well in teas and baked goods.