I was recently reading an article about the dangers of sugar. Sugar can lead to weight gain, contains no nutrients at all, is bad for our teeth, contributes to insulin resistance, and can even lead to cancer. Did you know that the average American consumes about 130 pounds of sugar each year? Look at this alarming statistic:
You can see that consumption has been steadily increasing over the years. While we know many of the sources of sugar in foods like soda, cakes, ice cream, and other sweets, sugar lurks in many other foods that you may never suspect. Why, you ask? Because sugar is addictive and makes foods taste great. When food manufacturers add it to their products, they keep you wanting more of that food and that means more sales for them while leaving you with a bigger waistline.
Here are a few of the foods you will find added sugar in that you may not suspect:
- Salad dressing. Many salad dressings, especially those labeled as low fat have added sugar and salt. Because fat adds flavor to food, removing it also removes some of the flavors. This flavor is replaced with sugar and salt and results in added calories.
- Flavored yogurt. All yogurt contains natural sugar in the form of lactose. But beware of flavored yogurts that have sugar added to sweeten the taste. Reading the ingredient list will help you make a smart choice by avoiding anything with high fructose corn syrup or some other type of sugar.
- Sauces and marinades. Sauces and marinades seem like unlikely culprits for sugar since they are usually added to meats or savory dishes. But to add so much flavor with so little fat, they are loaded with sugar. Again, just read the ingredient list to find out if sugar has been added or make your own using natural ingredients like this BBQ sauce.
- Canned or packaged fruit. Canned fruits are loaded with syrupy sugar that has been added to sweeten the taste as well as preserve the fruit in the can. But fruits are naturally sweetened and do not need any additional sweetness. Stick with real fruit instead….no need to mess with nature!
- Cereal bars. Some cereal bars are marketed as a healthier option but these are still loaded with artificial sugars to make them taste good.
- Jarred pasta sauces. Did you know that pasta sauces have added sugar to give them a slight sweetness and enhance the taste? Some pasta sauces have the same amount of sugar added as a pop-tart!
- Beverages. So many beverages have added sugar to them in large amounts. Most fruit juices aren’t actually made from fruit, they get their sweetness from added sugar. And all those sports drinks? Yep, added artificial sweeteners.
While it’s alarming to realize all of the places that hidden sugar lurks, reading food labels and eating real foods the way nature created them will help you avoid unnecessary sugar in your diet.
Were you aware that sugar was in all of these products?
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
October 2, 2014 at 6:08 amI am not one of those people that watches my sugar intake, but this is great to know – just in case.
Heather says
October 2, 2014 at 6:20 amSugar is the devil! I don’t know that I could give it up entirely but we’ve limited our intake.
Heather recently posted…The Best of Me Prize Pack Giveaway! #TheBestofMe
Paula Schuck says
October 2, 2014 at 6:52 amThis is an eye opener! I knew about the granola bars etc. but the yogurt is not something I would think about actually. I really need help with my sugar intake actually.
Paula Schuck recently posted…My Favourite Shopping App and a #Flippsgiving Twitter Party
Linda Carmical says
October 2, 2014 at 11:08 amThis is something so so so close to me. I am a diabetic and I have to tell you…
I. Miss. My. Sugar.
Makes me angry that something sooo good is so dangerous to a person. Really angry. I’m still learning how to live my day by the threat it poses.
Linda Carmical recently posted…Ray Palermo Cooks Up a Feast – Quad Cooker and Hexx Cooker
Jaime says
October 2, 2014 at 12:45 pmThere is sugar in everything, it seems! I definitely knew it was in a lot of the items you mentioned, and I do avoid things like the fruit in syrup, as often as I possibly can.
Jaime recently posted…31 Days to a Healthier Me
aimee fauci says
October 2, 2014 at 12:52 pmI was aware that there is so much sugar in so many products that you don’t expect but I do not think about it. I need to think about it but I just don’t.
aimee fauci recently posted…Chicken and Dumplings
becca says
October 2, 2014 at 1:20 pmWow who knew there was sugar in all that stuff. I had no clue.
becca recently posted…WILD KRATTS Toys Are At Toys R Us! #ActivateCreaturePower #Giveaway
Lois Alter Mark says
October 2, 2014 at 1:44 pmI recently watched the documentary, Fed Up, which talks about how the food industry is adding sugar to all kinds of products you would never expect it in. It also points out that sugar is more addicting than cocaine. No wonder I can’t give up my sweets.
Lois Alter Mark recently posted…“an unseemly wife” by e.b. moore, plus a book giveaway
Lady Lilith says
October 2, 2014 at 3:12 pmOuch. Now that is lots of sugars. I try to do lots of home cooking but it does not always happen 🙁
Lady Lilith recently posted…Nancy B’s Moonscope with Activity Journal
Krystal's Kitsch says
October 2, 2014 at 3:25 pmI’ve been shocked to see sugar in salsa and chicken broth. I try to get rid of it when I can.
Krystal’s Kitsch recently posted…Turn Your Instagram Photos into Your New Favorite Book with Blurb
Helene Cohen Bludman says
October 2, 2014 at 3:28 pmIt’s so funny, I was just talking to a couple of my friends today about how bad sugar is. After seeing the movie “Fed Up” (which I highly recommend, especially to parents of young children, I have avoided sugar like the plague.
Pam says
October 2, 2014 at 4:04 pmMy husband has pre-diabetes so he has to watch his sugar intake. It’s amazing how many things have sugar in them that you would never expect.
Danielle says
October 2, 2014 at 5:10 pmThis is a great resource for so many! I highly recommend lowering if not getting rid of most of that high sugar intake!
Danielle recently posted…6 Healthy Hair Tips with Hair Formula 37
Ann Bacciaglia says
October 2, 2014 at 5:55 pmI did not realize how much sugar is hidden in the everyday foods i eat. I will be checking the labels a little closer.
Ann Bacciaglia recently posted…Recycle your electronics! It is worth it! #WhatsInYours
Sarah Bailey says
October 2, 2014 at 6:20 pmWow what a difference, it’s amazing how quickly things have changed. x
Sarah Bailey recently posted…Meet Team SCA
connie says
October 2, 2014 at 6:47 pmOh YUCK. I’m going to have to be careful. I try but it looks like I need to try a little harder.
maria says
October 2, 2014 at 7:28 pmFlavored yogurt, yes!! We recently eliminated that from our house because my son would devour it. That is not a good thing!
Melissa says
October 2, 2014 at 7:48 pmI am aware. It is crazy how many places you can find sugar that you may not think of right away.
Veronica says
October 2, 2014 at 9:53 pmthat’s why I don’t drink sodas or let my kids drink it. Way too much sugar
Veronica recently posted…One Room Challenge: Small Swanky Sitting Room Week 1 of 6
Rosey says
October 3, 2014 at 8:56 amWow, this is good to know. Those who instantly find themselves having to watch their sugar must be overwhelmed at first!
Melanie says
October 3, 2014 at 11:58 amSo much sugar in everything! It’s hidden in everything and a lot of people never even think about it. It’s horrible for people trying to be healthy and not know
Melanie recently posted…Jack-o’-Lantern Chili and Cornbread Skillet
Elayna Fernandez ~ The Positive MOM says
October 3, 2014 at 12:47 pmIt is crazy out there. We are very conscious about our diet, but they change the ingredients on our favorite products so much that it seems we have to read the label every time we shop, just to be sure.
Elayna Fernandez ~ The Positive MOM recently posted…5 Things I Love About The Good Lie Movie [Private Screening Review]
Chrissy says
October 3, 2014 at 2:34 pmWhy are all the good foods bad for us? So not fair 🙁
Nikki says
October 3, 2014 at 2:46 pmI didn’t know there was sugar in pasta sauce, although I think I should have. I know when you make it from scratch, they say add sugar to cut down on bitterness or something.
Nikki recently posted…What Can You Do with 3GB of Data From Straight Talk Wireless?
Tough Cookie Mommy says
October 3, 2014 at 7:38 pmI’m a diabetic and I monitor my sugar intake so this is some great information for me. It’s amazing all the sneaky places that sugar is infused into foods.
Tough Cookie Mommy recently posted…Monitor Your Child’s Mobile Phone Or Internet Usage! @WebSafetyInc #Ad
Melissa Vera says
October 3, 2014 at 9:20 pmThe amount of sugar in our food was the topic of conversation at my physical therapy appointment the other day. It is mind boggling how sugar is in almost everything we eat,
Melissa Vera recently posted…Farewell Letter to a Great Account Rep
Melissa Smith says
October 4, 2014 at 11:29 amI’m not one who really watches sugar intake, but that infographic is somewhat alarming. I may keep watch a bit now.