Early in the twentieth century, sugar companies pushed millions of dollars into ad campaigns and falsified studies that claimed that fat—grease, olive oil, even healthy fats like avocados and nuts—were the greatest cause of weight gain in everybody's diet. Recently, studies have shown that sugar is the greatest cause by far, particularly because of its high caloric content.

Social media is full of misinformation that carries this statement into questionable places, blaming any carbohydrate for weight gain, trying to sell products that will magically lose dozens of pounds in months—and they never work. The truth of the matter is very simple, and it's much easier to understand than people think.

Storing and using fat

Fat is an important part of the body. It insulates, it stores energy, and it's necessary for several bodily processes. But too much can be unhealthy, and entire industries are built on selling ways to reduce it. In order to understand how to manage it, we have to understand why the body creates it.

Fat is stored energy in the form of triglycerides, mainly, which is just a chain of complicated molecules. When the body consumes more energy than it needs, it stores it as fat. When the body needs energy, it uses fat reserves. Eating higher glycemic foods will increase blood-sugar levels, which can be helpful for a quick burst of energy—like for a short workout. But for longer processes, like a long walk, an extended study session, or even sleeping, the body needs energy over a longer period of time, and so it burns fat to run.

The Equation

This means that to lose weight, you need to use more calories than you consume. That doesn't mean eating less food—it means consuming less calorie-intensive foods, and being more intentional about what you eat. It's important to maintain a healthy relationship with food to avoid disordered eating, and a great way to do that is to focus on delicious meals that are healthy, rather than eliminating the amount you eat. This is where Heavenly Organics Raw Honey is a perfect option.

Using Raw Honey

You may have heard the phrase 'empty calories,' which means food that contributes to your calorie count, but without any nutritional benefit. Processed foods like white sugar and corn syrup fall into this category. But nobody wants to eat bland food all the time, and carbs are important to give the body energy to run! This is why incorporating raw honey—which is rich in antioxidants, digestive enzymes, and vitamins—into your diet can boost your energy each day without contributing to any nutrient deficits. Refusing to eat isn't healthy; ensuring that the calories that you eat serve a function is important.

Raw honey does more than just carry nutrients. It also helps digest food in ways that cause less bloating and easier processing of the rest of the food that you eat. A smoother increase in your blood sugar will help your mind and body work better. And the delicious taste of Heavenly Organics Raw Honey can help food that would otherwise be less appetizing, be the best that it can be.

Ways to Use Raw Honey

A spoonful of honey can be a low-calorie way to replace late-night snacks. Often, intentionality to eat fewer calories throughout the day leads to a binge-eating session at night, where the body tries to make up for what it feels it's lacking. A spoonful of honey can settle your stomach, keep your body fueled to rest throughout the night, and satisfy your cravings.

A tasty vinaigrette can go a long way to make something with less calories—like a salad—fill up your stomach and satisfy you for longer. Check out our recipe here.

It can be a great way to sweeten teas and coffee, and to avoid high-calorie creamers and milk. Some people like the taste a lot more than conventional sugar and milk too!