Sweet-tooth solutions: leave sugar behind and check out the newest generation of natural sweeteners.(analysis of natural sweeteners)

Human beings have a natural penchant for sweetness. In fact, the average American downs 30 teaspoons of added sugar daily. But with nutritionists and authors of popular diet plans labeling refined sugar as the Darth Vader of food, many people are desperate for natural (read: healthful) alternatives. Enter the vast array of sweeteners with a fighter sugar load than the real thing. "Consumers are making the connection between what they put in their bodies and their health," says Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association and author of Your Diet Is Driving Me Crazy. "And natural sweeteners (or at least ones that are less refined) are part of the health food philosophy." Here's a closer look at the wealth of natural options available to sweeten your palate.

plant-based sweeteners

Generally more intense than sugar, this group provides more sweetness with less product. Most have almost no impact on blood sugar, making them safe for diabetics.

AGAVE NECTAR

what it is: The stuff that gives tequila a smooth, sweet finish, agave nectar is extracted from the core of the Mexican agave plant.

best used for: Cookies, cakes, desserts and milk shakes. "Of all the plant-based sweeteners, agave acts most like sugar--particularly in recipes," says Jacquelyn Buchanan, associate director of culinary programs and a certified professional chef at Copia: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts in Napa Valley, CA. Substitute 3/4 cup of agave for every 1 cup of sugar.

health and safety: Agave nectar is primarily fructose (fruit sugar) so it's absorbed more slowly into the bloodstream than traditional sugar. It contains only 2.9 calories per gram compared to sugar's 4. And since it's sweeter than sugar, you need less.