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Photo: Stephen Johnson ©
Sweet by Nature
What could be more pleasing than the taste of fresh baked goods, warm from the oven? Certainly not the blood-sugar spike that follows — which is why Food Network Kitchen is on a quest for better baking. The first step: Replacing refined sugar — the culprit in many easily avoidable illnesses — with natural sweeteners like apricots, dates and other fruits. What makes fruit such a good candidate? The fiber content, which slows digestion, so your body won’t succumb to the dreaded "sugar crash." See how it’s done with these six homemade desserts and drinks enhanced with natural sweetening agents. There's never been a better reason to toss out your refined sugar.