Yes we eat too much sugar. But can you identify the sugar in your food?
Sugar is hidden in all types of foods, even ones that don’t seem sweat. Sugar is often added as a preservative, or to improve consistency.
Look at the ingredient listings for hidden sugars in foods. Many of these substances end in the suffix “-ose” or contain sugar alcohols that end in “-ol.” Here are other names for sugar you might see in foods you eat each day:
- Barley malt
- Agave nectar
- Molasses
- Brown rice syrup
- Cane juice
- Cane sugar
- Caramel
- Brown sugar
- Caramel syrup
- Coconut sugar
- Corn sweetener
- Corn syrup solids
- Fructose
- Date sugar
- Dextrose
- Florida crystals
- Fruit juice concentrate
- Galactose
- Glucose
- High fructose corn syrup
- Honey
- Invert sugar
- Lactose
- Malt syrup
- Maltose
- Maple syrup
- Raw sugar
- Rice syrup
- Sorghum
- Sucrose
- Treacle
The Bottom Line
Approximately 40 to 65 percent of the calories we consume each day should come from carbohydrates. The carbohydrates we eat should come primarily from natural, nutrient-dense, fiber-rich foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes. The amount of carbohydrates coming from sweets, added sugars and refined grains should be limited to achieve optimal health.
All carbohydrates contain four calories per gram, but complex carbohydrates also contain fiber, which takes longer for your body to digest, keeping you feeling fuller longer. Simple carbohydrates, such as all forms of sugar, are quickly digested and provide little nutritional value.
See More Helpful Articles
Carmen Roberts, RD. Health Pro June 26, 2015
