The overconsumption of sugar has been linked to numerous health issues, including diabetes, obesity, and numerous other diseases. Reducing these sugars should become a priority for every individual.

High fructose corn syrup is associated with highly processed, devitalized foods. Many holistic health care practitioners don’t encourage the use of high-fructose corn syrup. Please read labels, and if a food contains high-fructose corn syrup, don’t purchase that food!

The American Heart Association has stated that most American women should eat or drink no more than 100 calories per day from added sugars, and most American men should eat or drink no more than 50 calories per day from added sugars. That’s roughly six teaspoons a day for women and nine teaspoons a day for men.

Here are four natural alternatives to help you break the sugar habit while still enjoying a treat now and then:

Stevia

Derived from the leaves of a South American shrub, Stevia rebaudiana is about 300 times sweeter than cane sugar or sucrose. Though stevia can be an acquired taste, it’s not absorbed through the digestive tract, so it has zero calories. You can find it in several forms, from liquid extract to dried leaf, to powdered extract. Check the label and only buy the whole-leaf stevia. Some brands will have dextrose and are processed with harsh chemicals.

Medjool Dates

These dates are from the fruit of the date palm tree and are among the sweetest fruits in the world, with a flavor very similar to brown sugar. Medjool dates have a long shelf life. When choosing fresh dates, look for the plump ones. It’s all right if they’re slightly wrinkled, but they shouldn’t feel hard. Be sure to remove the seed from the center before using. Dates can be used in almost any recipe to add sweetness.

Bananas

All-natural, preferably organic bananas can be used to sweeten many dishes.

Minimally Processed Honey

Look for minimally processed honey, preferably from the area you live in.