Cane sugar - Good or bad? 2 part question

Hello all.  I am trying to cut back on the amount of bad, refined sugar in my diet.  I still eat plenty of fruit and get most of my sugar from that source.  The only vice I have when it comes to "sweets" is my Mother's homemade blueberry preserve.  In this preserve, the ingredients are:  Maine wild blueberries, cane sugar, fruit pectin, organic lemon juice, and citric acid.  Now, I've attempted to do some research on cane sugar, and I have found mixed answers.  I realize that it is sugar, but should I avoid it like HFCS?  I usually have a peanut butter and banana sandwich, but are out of bananas (Dilemma!!), and I was going to use this preserve.  Is cane sugar ok, or should I substitute in another fruit?  If the substitute, what other filling for the peanut butter sandwich would you suggest?  Thanks for all responses :).

I don't see sugar as a problem as long as you realize it's a treat.  Using a sweet preserve for a sandwich isn't wrong as long as you know it's sweet and not "fruit".  I add syrup to my smoothies, maple syrup to my yoghurt and it's all good.  I add turbinado sugar to my coffee (which I don't drink as often). 

It keeps me mindful of what I'm eating, especially when I log it with my other calories. 

What I don't like and stay away from are muffins, breads and energy drinks that claim to be healthy and have tons of sugar (and/or HFCS). 

I don't use any kind of preserve, jam or jelly because I don't care for it that much and it's not nutrient-rich anyhow.  I'd rather put honey on my peanut butter sandwich. 

Sugar isn't some evil killer.  In moderate amounts it's fine as part of a healthy diet.   The blueberry jam sounds lovely as a treat.

I was thinking about using honey as well.  Would this be a better choice?  With my sandwich, I always have an apple (so I'm not using my preserve as a fruit source :P).  Would honey or pure maple syrup (also from Maine) be a better option?

If you're talking about teaspoons rather than cupfuls, honey, sugar, golden syrup, maple syrup or any other mostly sugary substance are all about the same, nutritionally speaking.  There are a few more nutrients in a teaspoon of honey than a teaspoon of refined sugar but not enough to make a big difference to your quality of life. 

Sugar is only 'dangerous' when consumed in excessively large amounts over a long period of time and when it forms a big part of a more generally unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle.   So don't worry too much and enjoy everything in moderation. 

Thanks for the replies, everyone.  Sugar seems to be the one big mystery in diets.  In a typical day, I get all of my sugar mainly from fruits, so a little homemade preserves on my pb and j won't kill me :).  I guess I knew that, I just needed some support. 

Just as a side note, I am trying to gain weight.  So why am I worried about a tablespoon or so every once in a while?

Sugar is good if you need energy in a hurry.  That's where its high glycemic index is a benefit.  It's bad for the same reason.  Diabetics can't process it fast enough and get it out of the bloodstream.  For non diabetics, it's gone in a flash and you're hungry again.  If you don't burn it it gets stored. 

A tablespoon of jam is only 50 calories at most.   Way less than peanut butter , and about the same as half a banana (which is just as sugary).  No big deal.  Blueberry with lemon is a great tart jam.  I'm partial to huckleberry when I can get my hands on it.

Well, my comments stand for weight gain as well.  When I was a kid, I ate a lot of sugary junk (soda, candy) and was very underweight.  Occasional preserves and toast toppings are fine when you are eating something like peanut butter. 

 

You could always put the apple IN the sandwich. I sometimes make toasted pb & sliced apple sandwiches. Mmm.

For my daughter's 'peanut free' school lunches I have also had to come up with other creative sandwiches... You can also try a fruit flavored cream cheese (strawberry) and apple.