Eating Healthier with Balsamic Vinegar

Reducing the amount of sugar you consume is one of the best ways to kick-start a healthy diet and weight loss. Cutting sugar is a common New Year's resolution, but it can be difficult to do! Balsamic Vinegar is naturally sweet and slightly syrupy, and can be used in place of sugar, maple syrup, or honey in many dishes. And even if you're eating healthier by having more salads, you'd be surprised how many store-bought salad dressings have sugar added! Make your own easy vinaigrettes using our delicious, healthy, all-natural products and cut some of the sugars, thickening agents, and preservatives from your diet.

But even if you aren't the diet or New Year's Resolution type of person, anyone can benefit from cutting back on sugar in some places . . . even if it's just to save those calories for dessert or a sweet treat! Wouldn't you rather indulge in a scoop of ice cream rather than a salad dressing with sugar added? 

Not convinced? Here's some interesting nutritional information:

• One tablespoon of The Olive Scene Balsamic Vinegar has 10-40 calories and 3 grams of (natural) sugar. We don't add any sugar to our balsamic vinegars!
• One tablespoon of granulated white sugar has about 48 calories and 13 grams of sugar.
• One tablespoon of honey has about 64 calories and 17 grams of sugar.
• One tablespoon of maple syrup has about 52 calories and 14 grams of sugar. 

Our Vermont Maple Balsamic Vinegar is a delicious substitute for maple syrup on pancakes, waffles, french toast, oatmeal, and yogurt. Some of our other favorite sweet balsamic vinegars are Vanilla, Dark Chocolate, Espresso, and Cinnamon Pear.

If fizzy drinks are your weakness, try adding a splash of one of our balsamic vinegars to soda water. For light, bright drinks we love using Grapefruit, Mango, Golden Pineapple, Peach, or Honey Ginger Balsamic Vinegar. For sweeter beverages, try Blackberry Ginger, Blueberry, Raspberry, or Strawberry. They're also excellent when added to iced or hot tea instead of honey or sugar.

You can often use balsamic vinegar instead of sugar in some baking recipes; try adding it to frosting or whipped cream, or glaze cakes with a balsamic vinegar reduction. Use it in homemade granola in place of honey, brown sugar, or maple syrup. Sweeten cobblers, crisps, and pie fillings with it. We also love it on fruit salads and in fudge.

What are some of your favorite ways to incorporate balsamic vinegar into a healthier lifestyle?