The Difference between White, Brown and Turbinado Sugar

Someone told you that brown sugar is better than white… You might also know about turbinado sugar – the one they use in the protein smoothies at places where athletes and health oriented people go to get their “healthy” concoction.

But what’s the difference between the different types sugar? Is any of them better, safer?

White sugar is derived through the separation of sugarcane syrup to sucrose and molasses. Sucrose is actually the white sugar we know. All the nutrients are stripped from it and can be found in the molasses.

Brown sugar is white sugar with part of the molasses added back. The darker the color the more of the molasses it has.

Turbinado sugar is the type that undergoes the least amount of processing. During the refining process only the molasses on the surface have been removed, leaving the rest where it belongs. In this sense turbinado sugar is the least unhealthy of all.

However, keep in mind that all the three types still contain the same amount of carbohydrates and subsequently calories per teaspoon.

My advice is stay away of any sugar, but if you have to have it pick the turbinado type.