Sugar — and all its evils — is a hot topic these days, so chances are it’s already on your mind. On average, Americans consume about 77 pounds of added sugar per year, close to four times the amount recommended by the World Health Organization — an excess that puts many at increased risk of obesity, metabolic disorders, cancer and a slew of other health problems.

The worst part? Added sugar is generally of the refined variety, meaning it offers only “empty” calories — ones that aren’t accompanied by health-promoting nutrients. You’re getting excess energy that your body will store as fat, without a single benefit to make up for it. Bummer.

But thanks to some recent shifts in thinking, there’s an effort underway to seek out sensible alternatives to the conventional refined white stuff. It’s become clear that our way of life is no longer sustainable in terms of our health nor the environment, so we’re beginning to cast our eyes on the habits of our ancestors, who thousands of years ago didn’t face the same chronic illnesses that we do today.

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