50 Times Bakers Took Their Culinary Concoctions To A Whole Other Level (New Pics)

Added sugar has become nearly unavoidable in the modern food landscape, Dr. Avena told Bored Panda. However, there is a way to include it in your diet and still stay healthy.

"The key is moderation and mindfulness. According to the American Heart Association, the recommended limit for added sugars is no more than 6 teaspoons (25 grams) per day for women and 9 teaspoons (36 grams) per day for men," she explained.

"Staying within these guidelines, or below them, can really help support metabolic health and reduce your risk of weight gain, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease."

The author of 'Sugarless: A 7 Step Plan to Uncover Hidden Sugars, Curb Your Cravings and Conquer Your Addiction' explained that everyone's tolerance for sugar can vary. This can depend on various factors, from activity level and age to overall diet quality.

"The goal isn’t to eliminate all sugar—it's to be aware of where it’s coming from and how much you’re consuming. That means reading labels and being especially cautious with processed foods, where sugar can be hidden under many names."

Bored Panda was curious about how bakers can moderate the amount of sugar and fat that they eat. Dr. Avena was kind enough to shed some light on this for us. "Baking is such a wonderful and creative outlet—and you don’t have to give it up to improve your diet! Small, intentional swaps can make a big difference over time."

She shared a few simple but effective strategies to bake healthier. "Use natural sweeteners like mashed banana, applesauce, or dates to replace part of the sugar in recipes. They provide sweetness along with fiber and nutrients," she told Bored Panda.

You could also cut the sugar you add gradually. "Most baked goods still taste great with 25–50% less sugar than the recipe calls for," she noted. Meanwhile, you can always choose healthier fats, like swapping out butter or shortening for avocado, olive oil, or nut butters, which provide healthier unsaturated fats.

"Experiment with whole grain flours like oat or almond flour, which not only improve the nutrient profile but also slow the absorption of sugar, leading to more stable blood sugar levels," Dr. Avena suggested.

"Most importantly, give yourself grace. It’s not about perfection—it’s about building sustainable habits. Moderation and awareness are more effective than complete restriction, especially when you're making long-term changes."

If you’re completely new to baking, then probably the very best piece of advice you can get is that you should start by taking incredibly basic recipes and then following them as they’re written. Be as precise as possible.

Doing too many fancy and complicated things too fast can lead to some unexpected results. Get a few simple recipes right a handful of times, and only then move on to more complex ones or start experimenting with different ingredients and proportions.

It is absolutely vital that you read (and re-read!) the recipe in full before you start baking so you get a feel for the ingredients, techniques, and timing.

You don’t want to put yourself in a situation where you have to head to the grocery store in the middle of the entire process because you suddenly realized you don’t have a few ingredients.