Change can be intimidating, especially when it involves giving up something you love, like sugar. But what if you could enjoy delicious alternatives without feeling deprived? Today's guest is here to show us just how easy and satisfying it can be.

Chef AJ, a culinary instructor, author, and motivational speaker, is known for her no-nonsense approach to transforming lives through nutrient-dense recipes. On her YouTube show, Chef AJ Live, she offers expert interviews and live cooking demos that educate and inspire.

Her best-selling books, "Unprocessed" and "The Secrets to Ultimate Weight Loss," are must-reads for anyone embracing a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. In her latest book, "Chef AJ's Sweet Indulgence: Guilt-Free Treats Sweetened Naturally with Fruit," she shares dessert recipes free from gluten, sugar, added salt, and oil, proving that healthy eating can delight your taste buds.

Her practical advice and vibrant personality have empowered countless people to take control of their health. So stay tuned as we explore her new book and discover the sweet side of healthy living!

"Fruit is to our natural diet throughout human history. It's a whole food. It's found in nature. It has water, fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, antioxidants, micronutrients. Sugar, whether it's white sugar, brown sugar, cane sugar. These are not whole foods found in nature. So all the fiber, all the nutrients have been stripped, and they really have few to no phytochemicals, antioxidants, and micronutrients. So there's a big difference because one of the things people have to understand is that fiber is only found in plants. It's not found in animal products, and it's not found in processed foods unless it's been added back in. And fiber is the reason that many people that adopt a vegan or whole food plant-exclusive diet can eat what we call ad libitum – as much as we want, as often as we want, whenever we want until comfortably full. Because fiber is what puts the brakes on overeating. And sugar has no fiber but fruit does." - Chef AJ

What we discuss in this episode:

- Chef AJ's childhood and adult relationship with sweets.

- What makes Chef AJ's sweets delicious and healthy?

- Fruit-sweetened desserts vs. processed sweetener desserts.

- How fiber is integral to prevent overeating.

- Retraining your palate.

- The link between calorie concentration and dopamine release.

- Chef AJ's sweetness scale explained.

- How Chef AJ keeps her desserts moist without using oil.

- Chef AJ's preferred fruits for naturally sweetening recipes.

- Her favorite recipes and kitchen gadgets.

Resources:

- If you purchase Sweet Indulgence by 8/31/24, just submit your receipt at https://sweetindulgence.chefaj.com/ and you'll receive a video of every recipe in the book!

- Website: Chef AJ - https://chefaj.com/

- YouTube: CHEF AJ - YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/CHEFAJ

- Instagram: Chef AJ (@therealchefaj) • Instagram photos and videos - https://www.instagram.com/therealchefaj/?hl=en

- Facebook: Chef AJ - https://www.facebook.com/chef.aj1/

- Episode 17: Chef AJ Shares How She Lost 50 Lbs and Food Addiction - https://switch4good.org/chef-aj-shares-how-she-lost-50-lbs-and-food-addiction/

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