Day 6: Upgrade Your Sweets!

Healthy desserts you'll love!

Weil Nutrition Corner® Upgrade Your Summer Plate Day 4: Sweet Swaps!

Welcome to Day 6 of Upgrade Your Summer Plate!

Today we’re talking about sweets, which do have a place in a healthy diet! What sweet treat you eat and how often you indulge is what makes a difference.

Read on as we talk about:

• Why refined sugar (and some sugar alternatives) are best in moderation

• A healthy sweet swap chart

• Three sweet treat recipes to try!

Why You Should Minimize Refined Sugar (and Sugar Alternatives)

Understanding why sugar and many sugar alternatives can be problematic is helpful in making informed choices for long-term wellness, especially if you’re focused on eating an anti-inflammatory diet.

Why is refined sugar best in moderation? It:

• Triggers chronic inflammation. Refined sugar spikes blood glucose and insulin, which promotes inflammation, and it is linked to elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation.

• Leads to blood sugar crashes. Sugar causes a rapid rise in blood sugar, followed by a crash, which can lead to fatigue, mood swings, cravings, and hormonal imbalances.

• Feeds harmful gut bacteria. Refined sugar disrupts gut microbiome balance, allowing yeast and pathogenic bacteria to thrive; this weakens immunity and promotes systemic inflammation.

• Increases the risk of chronic diseases. Regular consumption is associated with type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and fatty liver disease.

Sugar alternatives may not be a healthier solution:

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