According to dietary advice, how should honey be integrated into a diet already containing added sugar for maximum benefit?

It should function as a replacement for refined sugar in the carbohydrate budget

The key to incorporating honey beneficially is viewing it as a substitution rather than an additive to the daily sugar load. Health guidelines, such as those from the American Heart Association, emphasize limiting total added sugars generally. If an individual is already consuming added sugars from sources like processed snacks or sweetened drinks, adding an extra spoonful of honey only contributes to an overall sugar excess, negating the minor nutritional gains from trace compounds. The advantageous approach is to consciously swap a less functional sugar source—like replacing a packet of white sugar in tea with a teaspoon of honey—to maintain the caloric intake while slightly improving the micronutrient density of that serving.