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What are the healthiest sweeteners?  Natural sweeteners like stevia, agave nectar, pure maple syrup, or pure honey are certainly much healthier than processed sugar or fake Splenda.  However, even though these sweeteners are less refined than white sugar, I still only use them on occasion.

Why?  Take Agave for example.  It is super sweet and high in fructose, so although it may not cause the blood sugar fluctuations of white sugar, even a tiny bit of it contains enough fructose to stimulate the appetite hormones and contribute to overeating.

Always try to use natural sweeteners in place of any artificial and processed sugar, BUT only use it in recipes a few times a week.  If you are dousing coffee or meals with it every day, you’re only setting yourself up for overeating and endless cycle of crazy sweet cravings.

For special occasions desserts, I substitute natural sweeteners in my baking for any recipe calling for sugar.  Try pure maple syrup in place of white or brown sugar in apple crisp desserts on a weekend sometime.  Oh my goodness!!

Easy Skinny Life Bottom Line Rules to Stay Sweet and Healthy:

1. First, eliminate most processed foods with added sugar or sweeteners.  Like added salt in processed food, it’s just a waste on your body and tricks your brain.  Yet, it is barely detectable by taste.
2. Then, use whole foods to add the flavor of incredible sweetness in your cooking at least one meal per day with sweet potatoes, apples, pears, sweet onions, or pineapples, for example.
3. Third, reach for plenty of spices before mindlessly adding natural sweeteners in your everyday food or drinks.
4. Finally, use natural sweeteners such as clean and pure maple syrup, agave, pure honey, blackstrap molasses, or stevia in baked goods or on occasion.

It’s a piece of cake to live the sweet life.  Have a healthy day!

Kathy