At Muse Dental, we’re kicking off 2025 by focusing on health and well-being—and what better way than with Sugar-Free February? Many of us have tried or at least heard of Dry January, but have you ever considered giving up refined sugar for a month?
Sugar-Free February is all about making small, sustainable changes to reduce sugar intake and improve both oral and overall health. And trust us—your teeth (and your body) will thank you!
Why Cut Back on Sugar?
We all love a sweet treat, but excess sugar is one of the biggest culprits behind tooth decay. Not only that, but a high-sugar diet is linked to obesity and other serious health concerns.
According to Cancer Research UK, maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of developing 13 types of cancer. That’s a powerful reason to rethink the way we consume sugar!
And here’s a shocking statistic: tooth decay remains the number one reason for hospital admissions in children aged 5-9—yet it’s entirely preventable. By making simple swaps, we can protect our teeth and improve our overall health.
Easy Sugar Swaps You Can Try
Let’s be real—completely cutting out sugar is near impossible. But reducing refined sugars, especially sticky and processed ones, is an achievable goal. Here are 10 simple swaps to help you get started:
- Ditch fizzy drinks for water or sparkling water with fresh lime
- Switch to sugar-free syrup in your coffee or try a herbal tea
- Swap ice cream for natural yogurt with fresh fruit
- Snack on mixed nuts instead of a chocolate bar
- Bake a sugar-free version of your favourite cake (check out our recipe below!)
- Munch on veggie sticks & hummus instead of biscuits
- Try sugar-free jelly as a tasty alternative
- Opt for eggs & wholegrain toast instead of sugary cereal
- Stick to water for bedtime drinks
- Spread 100% peanut butter on toast instead of jam
Small changes add up—even reducing a little sugar can make a difference!
Exploring Sugar-Free Alternatives in Keynsham
To put this to the test, Dr. Dave popped into Conscious Health Foods on the High Street in Keynsham to check out natural sugar substitutes. One standout find? Stevia—a plant-based sweetener that has zero calories and little impact on blood sugar levels, making it a great option for diabetics and those watching their weight.
What’s even better? Stevia has antibacterial properties, which means it can actually help protect against tooth decay and gum disease. A sweet swap with a dental bonus—what’s not to love?
Baking at Home:
Dr. Dave & Sous Chef Daisy Take on Sugar-Free Cookies
Inspired by Mariko Broome’s recipe (more on her below!), Dr. Dave and his sous chef, Daisy, tried their hand at baking sugar-free cookies—replacing sugar with Stevia.
The verdict from the Muse Dental team?
- Brig: “Hmm… they could do with some sugar.”
- James: “They’re… not too bad!”
So, maybe a little more work is needed to perfect the recipe—but we’re up for the challenge!
Delicious Sugar-Free Recipe: Frozen Fruity Yogurt Bark
Looking for a healthier sweet treat? Try this easy, naturally sweet Frozen Fruity Yogurt Bark!
Ingredients:
(Amounts may vary depending on your tray size.)
- 4 cups natural full-fat yogurt
- 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- 2 tbsp flax seeds
- Optional: a drizzle of honey or maple syrup
- Instructions:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread yogurt evenly (about ¼-inch thick).
- Sprinkle on the toppings—raspberries, blueberries, and flax seeds. Add a drizzle of honey if desired.
- Freeze for 3-4 hours until completely solid.
- Break into pieces & enjoy!
Mix it up! Try different fruit combos like grapes and oranges, or add pumpkin or sunflower seeds for extra crunch!
Meet Mariko Broome: Our Sugar-Free Recipe Partner!
To help with Sugar-Free February, we’ve teamed up with Mariko Broome, a qualified naturopathic practitioner based in Keynsham. Mariko is passionate about promoting natural health and wellness, and she’s shared some amazing low-sugar recipes for us to try.
Find out more about Mariko and her work https://theholistichealthcoach.co.uk/about/
Share Your Sugar Swaps & Recipes with Us!
We’re loving this journey of learning about sugar alternatives and discovering how easy it is to make small, healthy changes.
We’d love to hear from you! Have you tried any sugar swaps? Do you have a favourite sugar-free recipe?
Tag us in your Instagram or Facebook posts (we’re not quite cool enough for TikTok just yet! ) and who knows—your recipe might feature in our next Muse Dental newsletter!
Here’s to a healthier, happier, and sugar-free February!
