The Magic of Maple Syrup

By Cassie Everett | September 11, 2023

While on a fertility journey staying away from sugar as much as possible can only help your fertility because it helps to keep inflammation down in the body. However, sometimes it’s nice to have something sweet, it can be quite joyful especially if you have a sweet tooth like me.

I recommend you use 100% non-refined maple syrup (or raw honey) as a natural alternative to sugar.

Did you know that Maple syrup is a natural sweetener derived from the sap of a Maple tree?

It offers several benefits, including:

  • Nutritional value:  Maple syrup contains essential nutrients such as manganese, riboflavin, zinc, and calcium. While it should be consumed in moderation due to its sugar content, it does provide small amounts of these beneficial nutrients.
  • Antioxidant properties: Maple syrup contains various antioxidants, including polyphenols and phytohormones. These compounds help neutralise harmful free radicals in the body, reducing the risk of chronic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions
  • Natural Sweetener: unlike refined sugars, maple syrup is a natural sweetener that undergoes minimal processing. It can be used as a healthier alternative to white sugar or artificial sweeteners in various dishes and beverages.
  • Lower Glycemic Index: Maple syrup has a lower glycaemic index compared to refined sugars, which means it raises blood sugar levels more slowly and doesn’t cause the same rapid spikes and crashes. This quality makes it a preferred sweetener for people managing their blood sugar levels.

Maple SyrupIt’s important to note that while maple syrup offers some benefits, it is still a concentrated source of sugar and so should be consumed in moderation.

Here is a great snack recipe that uses maple syrup. The great thing about these chocolatey balls is they contain all the macros, so they won’t cause a blood sugar spike or crash. The protein part: casein, is a complete protein which digests slowly, it’s not insulinogenic or inflammatory like whey can be, and has a unique anti-stress effect on the body. It’s also a good source of calcium.

 

Ingredients:

  • 3 Tbsp maple syrup
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 10 Medjool dates, pitted and roughly chopped
  • ¼ cup (30g) cocoa powder
  • ½ cup (50g) desiccated coconut (sulphur free)
  • 1 tsp of water
  • ½ cup of casein
  • Extra coconut/cocoa for coating

 

Place all the ingredients in a food processor and process until the mixture is well combined and sticks together. Roll into balls, coat in extra coconut and refrigerate! 

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