From The Straits Times    |

Photo: Afterglow

The Health Promotion Board is making a case against sugar and aims to shave Singaporeans’ consumption by 25 per cent by 2020. 

Don’t fret. Less sugar doesn’t necessarily mean it’s any less enjoyable. Without going cold turkey, here are some lower-sugar desserts and snacks to munch on.

 

1. The Ugly Cake Shop 

Photo: The Ugly Cake Shop

The Ugly Cake Shop says it uses less sugar than usual because it doesn’t want to overwhelm the palate with sugar. It doesn’t use fondant either.

One of their star cakes – and one that has the least amount of sugar – is the Nicholas. This bittersweet chocolate cake is frosted with dark chocolate ganache (made with 70 per cent Cacao Barry dark chocolate) and then adorned with crunchy chocolate pearls and cacao nibs.  

You can get this in the form of a cake (from $60) or as a cupcake ($4.20).

Address: 535 Kallang Bahru, #01-06 GB Point, Singapore 339351 
Telephone: 8228 8300
Opening Hours: Mondays to Saturdays, 10am to 7pm

 

2. Afterglow

Photo: Afterglow

Afterglow specialises in raw food cuisine, so you can turn to them for healthier alternatives. It does not use processed sugar, dairy or any processed items in its menu.

The popular choice on the menu is the Raw Chocolate Fudge ‘Salted Caramel’ cake ($12.50), made with avocado, raw cacao butter and a cashew nuts base. The ‘salted caramel’ is made from tahini with sea salt. 

This is great for guiltless indulgence.

Address: 24 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089131
Telephone: 6224-8921
Opening hours: Mondays to Saturdays, 12pm to 10.30pm.

 

3. Mad About Sucre

Photo: Mad About Sucre

In spite of its name, Mad About Sucre is prudent when it comes to the use of sugar. Baker Lena Chan reduces the sweetness by more than 60 per cent from each recipe and uses only organic flour and raw sugar. But the tastiness is not compromised.

The cakes here are very decadent and, phew!, not as scary as it looks.

Cakes are priced from $60 a cake, or from $20.70 for a slice of cake with a pot of tea.

Address: 27 Teo Hong Rd, Singapore 088334 
Telephone: 6221 3969 
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays, 12.30pm to 10pm; Sundays 12.30pm to 5pm

 

4. Xin Divine

Photo: Xin Divine

Do not be deceived by how light Chinese desserts look. They can be laden with sugar.

A recent study by Hong Kong’s Consumer Council and Centre For Food Safety found that most Chinese desserts have excessive amounts of sugar, with the mango sago with pomelo dessert the biggest culprit (averaging 11 grams of sugar per 100 grams).

So it is good to know that in Singapore, we have a Chinese restaurant that is mindful of the sugar content and has offered the Osmanthus Sphere ($12). The orb contains chilled winter melon soup – with less sugar, of course – and crystallised sprigs of osmanthus, wolfberries, and pang da hai (malva nut). This is served with a shot of aerated red date juice.

Address: 10 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089594
Telephone: 3100-0030
Opening hours: Mondays to Saturdays 11.30am to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm

 

5. Kim Bird’s Nest Drink

Photo: Kim

While bird’s nest is said to have health properties, some of the bird’s nest drinks on the market contain a lot of sugar.

This one comes with a sugar-free option. The other two flavours available are Ginseng and Rock Sugar. 

Drink it chilled or dilute it with warm water. It sells from $3.20 a bottle. 

Available at NTUC FairPrice, Sheng Siong, Cheers and Tao Kae Noi Land

This story was originally published on www.straitstimes.com.

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