We all know that increasing our sugar intake stimulates a number of diseases to multiply, that are both very harmful for our health and even deadly. It has been well established that sugar consumption is associated with a number of diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and even cancer. As a result of this reason, there seems to be a trend in society of people attempting to reduce their sugar intake, but since there are hidden sugars in many products, it can be difficult to calculate exactly how much sugar you are taking in each day.
There are a lot of food items that don’t appear sweet but can actually contain hidden sugars.
Foods and drinks which are low in fat, light or sugar are more likely to be high in sugar than their regular counterparts due to the fact that they have less fat.
In accordance with the recommendations of the American Heart Association (AHA), women should limit their added sugar intake to 25 grams a day, or six teaspoons, as recommended by the AHA. Sugar consumption for men should not exceed 37.5 grams a day, or nine teaspoons a day, on a daily basis.
Here are some foods and beverages that have hidden sugars that you should be aware of.
Fruits
It is important to remember that fruits, despite the fact that they are high in nutrients, are relatively sweet and contain a lot of sugar, so they are not as nutritious as vegetables.
If you want to enjoy a fruit that tastes great but contains a lot of sugar, ensure that it is portioned out properly.
Low Fat Yogurt
A variety of different yogurts are available on the market, but they are not all the same. The flavor and taste of low-fat yogurt can be enhanced by adding sweeteners among other things, as part of its flavoring process.
There is no doubt that full-fat yogurt, Greek yogurt, or natural yogurt is a better option than sugar-free yogurt.
Pre-made Soup
When made with organic ingredients and cooked fresh, soup is a great way to get more vegetables into your diet in a healthy manner.
It should be noted, however, that most pre-made commercial soups contain hidden sugar in a variety of ingredients in the soup.
These are some of the hidden sugars that are often found in premade soups:
- Sugar
- A sugary substance
- The malt of barley
- Isomaltose
- HFCS (high fructose corn syrup)
Foods and beverages
There are several condiments that contain hidden sugars, such as barbecue sauce, ketchup, and maple syrup. As we add these tasty condiments to our food, our taste buds are often overwhelmed by the amount of sugar that is added to it.
Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that when you consume condiments, it is important to monitor your portion size in order to avoid overeating. Also, keep in mind that one teaspoon of ketchup contains one teaspoon of sugar, while two tablespoons of barbecue sauce contain twelve grams of sugar.
Granola
Sports drinks are often thought to be healthier options when exercising, but in reality, they are not as healthy as people think. No matter how thirsty you are, drinking water is the best way to quench your thirst, as it contains no calories and no hidden sugars.
A sports drink is one that contains a high amount of sugar and is considered to be a very sweet drink. The consumption of fruit juice and soda is also associated with metabolic diseases and obesity, just as sugary drinks and juices are.
In a nutshell
Our health can be negatively affected by the consumption of sugar, which is a sweet substance. There is an increased risk of heart disease and blood sugar problems associated with eating and drinking too much sugary food and beverages.
As a consequence, it is important that you do not eat foods that contain hidden sugars, as this may lead to a number of health problems. Sugar should be consumed in a manner that limits its consumption as much as possible.