19DucksInAWolfSuit t1_je4y7jf wrote on March 29, 2023 at 1:26 PM

"According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture , a single medjool date contains 66.5 calories and provides: 18 grams (g) of carbohydrates. 16g of sugars (mainly in the forms of glucose and fructose)"

By comparison, a full-size Hershey bar has 24g of sugar. So if you're craving sugar, yes, dates have quite a bit of sugar.

juneauboe t1_je5h8y9 wrote on March 29, 2023 at 3:37 PM

But unprocessed sugar

Philosophical-Bird t1_je68009 wrote on March 29, 2023 at 6:26 PM

I think all types of sugar are processed the same by the body

juneauboe t1_je6x9tf wrote on March 29, 2023 at 9:08 PM

Not quite

LurkingOakleaf t1_je6yjlz wrote on March 29, 2023 at 9:17 PM

Still sugar.

Sensitive_Apple_7901 OP t1_je98nfh wrote on March 30, 2023 at 10:22 AM

There is no way for our bodies to operate without sugar (glucose) but here we’re talking about choosing healthier options that come with other benefits like added nutrients, fibers and vitamins. Eating a chocolate bar brings only ‘’empty calories’’ and loads your body with refined sugar without fuelling you with beneficial compounds.

Also, there are differences in how our bodies metabolizes the naturally occurring sugar and the refined sugar. Added sugar causes the insulin and blood sugar levels to skyrocket as it is broken down more rapidly. Then the ‘’sugar crash’’ happens. After eating it you do not feel full and your cravings arise again and faster.

On the other hand, if you want to effectively satisfy sugar cravings, with the added benefit of ingesting some good nutrients and fibers, and keeping your metabolism more stable - Medjool dates are incomparably better than any processed foods.