Trying to cut back on sugar? It’s often in foods where you least expect it. Here are some high-sugar foods that may surprise you.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
If you’re trying to cut back on sugar, you know to steer clear of things like soda, candy and ice cream. But here are six other sources of sugar that may surprise you.
1. Pasta sauce. Tomato sauce has naturally-occurring sugar, but many brands add another teaspoon or two per serving on top of that. Look for ones with no added sugar.
2. Condiments. Ketchup, barbecue sauce, and teriyaki and hoisin sauces can all have considerable amounts of sugar. So limit how much you use.
3. Coleslaw. It gets a bad rap because of the mayo and fat. What’s less recognized is the large amount of sugar in some fast food and other coleslaws. Make your own or opt for a salad instead.
4. Instant oatmeal. Oatmeal is a healthy food, but flavored instant oatmeal not so much because of all the added sugar. Stick with plain oatmeal and add fruit for sweetness.
5. Yogurt. Another seemingly healthy breakfast food that can be loaded with sugar, in some cases more than twice the amount in a bowl of Frosted Flakes. Choose plain yogurt and add fruit.
6. Canned baked beans. A single serving can contain three teaspoons of sugar, which is half the daily upper limit for women. Go for other kinds of beans without the added sugar.
Remember: Even if a food seems healthy or doesn’t taste sweet, it can still be high in sugar. So always check nutrition labels.
For more on diet and nutrition claims, check out my book Coffee is Good For You, which reveals the truth about everything from red meat to read wine.