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Your overall health is at risk, not just your diet!
It’s no secret that food companies are being very sneaky about hiding sugars. They often use different types of sugar in a product, making it appear lower in sugar than it is, so learning to read labels will save you from obesity, diabetes 2, heart diseases, anything related to too much sugar intake. Before we jump into the surprising foods which contain troubling amounts of sugar, try to remember that the sweetener also comes under names such as maltodextrin, panela, ethyl maltol, rice or any other syrup, agave nectar, and more.
The simplest way to avoid added sugar is to avoid highly processed foods, choosing unprocessed, whole foods instead. Yes, we need sugar, but everyone knows that honey and fruits are packed with it. The difference here is that hidden sugars are increasing your sugar intake, and that’s where things get unhealthy and toxic for your body and mind.
Some popular cereals pack as much as 20 grams of sugar in a measly three-quarter cup serving. Many products will use fruit juice and claim “no sugar added.” That’s another trick major companies use, so avoid anything that has this or similar signs, such as “low-fat,” “diet,” and “light. Dried fruit is preserved in sugary syrup. Ketchup or barbecue sauces have added sugars for two reasons: stronger taste and yes, preservation, as well.
If you are leaning towards non-dairy milk products, you have to be somewhat careful when you’re buying milk. Soy, almond, rice, or cashew milk can contain 10 grams of sugar. Similarly, bottled coconut water can be just as sugary as any store-bought juice. And the same goes for bottled teas, tonic water, and the majority of alcohol drinks.
Protein bars can be candy in disguise. They are delicious, and we think of them as healthy options, but to really be that, we need to look out for all the added sugars. Again, reading the labels and learning all the tricks is life-saving.
Sports drinks should contain sugar since they are supposed to provide energy to the athletes. So, unless you’re a pro or semi-pro athlete, water will be enough for you during the workout.
If you need to buy prepackaged food, which we all do, make sure to check the labels out to identify any hidden added sugars. Be especially careful when purchasing foods we mentioned here.
