Baking Her Way to Health: One Mom’s Sugar-Free Success

Jane Jones, a Florida based mom and nonprofit attorney, never imagined that a health scare would transform both her life and her passion for baking. After losing nearly 66 pounds, she turned a personal challenge into a growing movement, helping people with diabetes enjoy desserts without compromising their health.

In an interview with People magazine, Jane shared that her weekdays were consumed by nonstop work, while her free time was devoted to baking. Cookies, cakes, and pies were her specialties, and baking was her way to unwind. In the summer of 2019, however, she began feeling unwell and assumed she had a lingering stomach bug. Two weeks later, she landed in the emergency room. On her 46th birthday, doctors delivered alarming news: she had high blood pressure and dangerously elevated blood sugar levels.

“The doctor told me I had Type 2 diabetes and was very close to having a stroke,” Jane recalled.

Shaken by the diagnosis, she returned home determined to make lasting changes. At the time, Jane weighed 233 pounds and had already tried numerous diets with little success. This time, she took a different approach. She rebuilt her meals around low sugar vegetables, lean proteins such as turkey, chicken, and fish, and fresh salads. She also committed to walking in her neighborhood for 40 minutes every day, quickly realizing that without regular movement, her blood sugar levels would spike.

Still, the emotional challenges were real. As the holidays approached, Jane felt discouraged. Baking had always brought her joy, and now it seemed like something she had to give up entirely.

That changed during a routine trip to the grocery store, when she picked up a natural sweetener made from grape skins. Curious, she used it to bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies. The result surprised her. Not only did the cookies taste great, but they also did not cause the blood sugar spikes she feared. Encouraged, Jane began experimenting with different sugar substitutes and developing her own recipes.

Within three months, she lost nearly 66 pounds, and her blood sugar levels improved dramatically.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jane’s daughter suggested she share her recipes online. What began as a simple blog quickly gained traction. Today, “Sugar-Free Baking” features more than 250 sugar free recipes, and Jane has even expanded into selling frozen cookie dough.

“When I launched the blog, it had to be authentic,” Jane said. “I wanted to share what I learned. I’m tired of skinny fitness models telling everyone to just run around the block. That’s not the answer. Genetics play a big role, and everyone has to find what works for them.”

From a personal health crisis to a mission driven platform, Jane’s journey proves that meaningful change can be both practical and delicious.