Applesauce and other fruit purées

Replacing sugar with applesauce — or purées of other fruits such as bananas — is a great way to cut back on refined sugar. Consider using this substitution in recipes for cakes, cookies, muffins, and bread. Because of their nutrients, all fruits provide health advantages. Mash bananas, for example, are abundant in folate, manganese, magnesium, and vitamins B6 and C.

Fruit, as opposed to refined sugar, has been associated with a number of health advantages, including a decreased risk of chronic disease and a lower chance of mortality from any cause. If you buy applesauce or other fruit purées at the store, choose unsweetened varieties with no added sugar.