Brown rice syrup has become a popular kitchen ingredient in recent years. It is a liquid, dark-brown natural sweetener that is extracted from cooked brown rice.
This sweetener is 100% natural and can be used in any dishes that call for a bit of sweetness. However, if you want to avoid this ingredient due to the level of arsenic it may contain, there are some other substitutes for brown rice syrup that are available in your kitchen. [1]
Although it does not contain any vitamins and nutrients, brown rice syrup is still quite safe as it contains only glucose sugar.
Continue reading to explore some natural alternatives to brown rice syrup to bring some sweetness to your dishes.
Substitutes for Brown Rice Syrup
1. Honey
Honey can be the best option if you’re looking for a healthy replacement of brown rice syrup.
This natural and liquid sweetener is low in calorie and rich in minerals such as zinc, potassium, calcium, niacin, and riboflavin.
Rich in antioxidants, honey is a good source of glucose and natural fructose. [2]
However, honey is a bit sweeter, meaning that you need to use it sparingly. A 3/4 cup of honey can be a good replacement for one cup of brown rice syrup.
2. Maple Syrup
Another closest substitute that comes from certain sweet maple tree varieties such as black, red, and sugar maple.
Like honey, maple syrup also contains a significant amount of minerals such as iron, zinc, manganese, phosphorus, calcium, etc. [3]
Replace one cup brown rice syrup with a 3/4 cup of maple syrup as the later one is a bit sweeter.
Note: Always purchase 100% pure maple syrup. Some grocery shop may sell them as pancake syrup, which is basically corn syrup with artificial sweetener.
3. Blackstrap Molasses
Blackstrap molasses is a byproduct of the beet/sugarcane refining industry. It’s the thickest and one of the oldest sweetener that you can use in any dish that calls for brown rice syrup.
Blackstrap molasses is an excellent source of nutrients such as iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and vitamin B6.
Although this sweetener is derived from sugar, its digestion process is a bit slower, which may help stabilize the blood sugar level in diabetic patients. [4]
However, use this natural sweetener moderately as it may cause hyperkalemia, a condition where potassium level in your body becomes too high. [5]
4. Stevia
Stevia originates from the leaves of the plant that belongs to the chrysanthemum family. With zero carbs and zero calories, it is considered as one of the healthiest brown rice syrup substitutes.
Study shows that stevia could effectively reduce the glucose level in the blood, meaning that it’s safe for those with diabetes and obesity. [6]
Besides, using stevia as a sweetener can give you the feeling of fullness, preventing you from overeating.
However, stevia is much sweeter than any other sweetener available, so the amount with lesser when you’re replacing brown rice sugar with it.
5. Fruit Puree or Juice
Fruit juice or puree can be a good choice as a sweetener as they don’t require any additives. They can be healthy as well as fruits are naturally rich in vitamins and minerals.
However, do not use store-bought juice as they might have additives and artificial flavors. Also, use fruit juice in moderation if you want to curb fructose from your diet.
6. Date Syrup
If you’re looking for something sweeter than molasses, go for date syrup. Obtained from the date palm fruit, it may be available at Middle Eastern specialty groceries.
Date syrup is packed with nutrients and extremely healthy. It contains a significant amount of vitamin A, B6, K, potassium, manganese, and ß-carotene.
Moreover, date syrup is a natural antibacterial agent, meaning that it can help soothe any condition due to bacterial attack. [7]
Replace one cup of brown rice syrup with three tablespoons of date syrup.
Conclusion
Finding a healthy alternative to brown rice syrup isn’t that difficult if you know the exact ratio of using them.
All the natural sweeteners mentioned here are quite healthy and can bring almost the same flavor as brown rice syrup. However, honey, blackstrap molasses, and stevia can be a perfect choice if you’re concerned about weight gain and diabetes.
Even if you have brown rice syrup available at your pantry, you can still use these substitutes to bring a unique flavor in your recipe.
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