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Is honey better than sugar for weight loss?

Author

Rachel Ellis

Published Jan 06, 2026

Honey contains sugar and calories just like every other sweetener, with one teaspoon of containing 22 calories. Honey actually contains more calories than sugar, as one teaspoon of sugar contains 16 calories. However, it isn't truly more fattening than sugar, considering the fact that it is sweeter than sugar.

Can I replace sugar with honey for weight loss?

Honey is a natural sweetening agent, which makes it an excellent substitute for calorie-dense sugar. Speaking nutritionally, one tablespoon of honey contains 64 calories and 17 grams of sugar, including fructose, glucose, maltose and sucrose, but no fiber, fat or protein.

Which is more fattening honey or sugar?

One tablespoon of honey contains 64 Calories. By contrast, a tablespoon of sugar contains 45 Calories. However, honey tastes sweeter than sugar, and people tend to use less, thereby saving calories. This seems counter-intuitive because a tablespoon of contains a lower percentage of sweeteners versus table sugar.

Is honey good for losing weight?

Consuming honey right before bed time can help you burn more calories during the early hours of sleep. This ingredient is enriched with essential vitamins, minerals and healthy fats as well. Essential hormones in honey suppress appetite and aid weight loss.

Does honey make you lose belly fat?

Honey will not make you lose belly fat, but including it in a solid plan of healthy eating and consistent exercise certainly won't do you any harm.

27 related questions found

Does honey put on weight?

May Contribute to Weight Gain

Honey is high in sugar and calories — packing approximately 64 calories into a single tablespoon (21 grams) ( 2 ). While this may not seem like much, even a few servings per day can cause the calories to stack up.

How much honey should I eat a day to lose weight?

Research suggests that drinking about one teaspoon or 10ml of honey mixed with 5ml of lemon and 150ml of lukewarm water daily may promote the process of weight loss.

What are the disadvantages of honey?

Some of the most common disadvantages and risks associated with honey include:

  • High calorie count. One tablespoon of honey contains 64 calories, which is higher than that of sugar at 49 calories per tablespoon.
  • Risk of infant botulism. ...
  • Impact on blood sugar and risk of illness.

Is honey just another sugar?

And even though honey comes from a natural source, it is still an added sugar, like corn syrup or cane sugar. “A lot of people feel better when they read a food label and see honey instead of sugar,” says Friedman.

Is sugar from honey healthy?

Honey and sugar are both carbohydrates composed primarily of glucose and fructose. They're used as ingredients in many packaged foods and recipes. Both can contribute to weight gain if overused. Honey's reputation for being healthier may have some basis, but honey isn't considered a health food.

Is honey a keto?

The short answer: no. The long answer: still no, but that doesn't mean honey is bad for you or can't be part of a healthy diet. Honey just happens to be high in carbs––which are healthy and valid sources of fuel for your body in moderation––while the keto diet requires consuming almost no carbs at all.

What are the benefits of honey?

Here are some health benefits raw honey has to offer:

  • A good source of antioxidants. ...
  • Raw honey nutrition. ...
  • Antibacterial and antifungal properties. ...
  • Heals wounds. ...
  • Phytonutrient powerhouse. ...
  • Help for digestive issues. ...
  • Soothe a sore throat and cough. ...
  • Brain benefits.

Is it healthy to eat honey before bed?

#2: Honey helps your brain release melatonin, the hormone that your body uses to restore itself during sleep. This happens through a series of transformations in your brain: honey's sugars spike your insulin levels, releasing tryptophan, which becomes serotonin, which becomes melatonin.

Is brown sugar or honey better for you?

Brown sugar contains higher amounts of carbohydrates, sugars, and calcium. On the other hand, honey is richer in vitamin C and manganese relatively. Honey has a lower glycemic index and calorie count. Both brown sugar and honey have negligible amounts of fats and proteins.

Does honey make you fat or thin?

Honey provides 304 calories per 100gms. A jar offering a 1lb of honey (about 454gms) therefore provides about 1380 calories, however, a teaspoon of honey here and there is unlikely in itself to make you fat. If you consume large amounts of honey on top of your recommended requirement, you may well put on weight.

Can I eat honey every day?

Honey is a natural sweetener. But this does not mean that we can consume it without limits. The recommendation for a healthy person, without weight problems, and who does not base his diet on an excessive consumption of sugars would be to take a maximum of one small spoon of honey a day.

Does honey make you poop?

Digestive health

Honey has a mild laxative effect which can help combat constipation and bloating. It is also rich in friendly bacteria which act as a probiotic and keep the digestive and immune system healthy. For a homemade digestion aid, try tea with honey and lemon.

What happens if you eat a spoonful of honey everyday?

The natural sugar contained in honey can increase the level of insulin in your blood leading to the release of serotonin, which is further transformed into the melatonin hormone that assists better sleep. If you drink honey every day, it can potentially reduce your mental stress, and improve the quality of your sleep.

Can I drink warm water with honey at night?

While it is common for people to mix honey with their herbal tea, lemon tea or glass of warm milk, Ayurveda does not advise use of honey in any heated form.

When should I take honey morning or night?

Usually the doctors recommend honey to be taken empty stomach early in the morning as it gives an instant kick and energy boost which is enough to counter an entire day. Also, while going to bed, a spoonful of honey not only gives a good night's sleep but also helps in digestion and relaxation of mind and body.

Is 2 tablespoons of honey a day too much?

Honey is still a form of sugar and intake should be moderate. The American Heart Association recommends that women get no more than 100 calories a day from added sugars; men no more than 150 calories a day. This is a little over two tablespoons for women and three tablespoons for men.

What is the healthiest honey?

1) Manuka Honey: As Hunnes hinted at, manuka honey — which is made in Australia and New Zealand by bees that pollinate the native manuka bush — is commonly believed to be the godfather of healthy honeys.

Is honey a fast carb?

Both the type of carbohydrate and the presence (or absence) of fiber in a particular food affects its GI. For example, table sugar, honey, corn syrup, maple syrup, brown sugar and molasses contain easily digested disaccharides and no fiber, so they are fast carbs.

Will a teaspoon of honey take me out of ketosis?

Sugar substitutes like honey, which are otherwise considered to be healthy, should also be avoided on a keto diet. This is because honey is high in calories and carbs, and may interfere with your weight loss regime.

Is honey sugar free?

Honey is a free sugar: Honey is made up of up over 180 components including sugars, phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals. The sugar components dominate, around 80% of its composition is monosaccharides (predominantly fructose) and 3-5% disaccharides, as well as water and non-sugar components.