How To Easily Spot Hidden Sugar
One critical key to optimal health is to prevent and/or reverse low-level inflammation. The most inflammatory ‘food’ is.. sugar. Most Americans consume an average of 156 lbs. of sugar a year – a staggering statistic. Part of the problem is a result of the hidden sugars in a multitude of foods – even foods that you wouldn’t expect to find sugar. The obvious sugars sources such as sodas contain a stunning amount of sugar. Each can of soda has 10-15 teaspoons of sugar.
According to the USDA, “added sugars are sugars and syrups that are added to foods or beverages during processing or preparation.” They also include any sugar you add to the food and drinks you make at home.
Your best bet for avoiding added sugars? Read the nutrition label. Unfortunately, many sugars are hidden and without reading a nutrition label..you’ll never know.
To find the sugar hidden in your everyday foods, read the Nutrition Facts label. Under “carbohydrates,” you should find the word “sugars.” If sugar is listed, look down at the ingredients list. Ingredients are listed by weight, so the first ingredient will be the highest amount the product contains and the last listed ingredient will be the least.
When reading the ingredients list, pay attention to other sources of sugars that masquerade under a variety of guises such as: syrup, brown sugar, dextrose, honey, or fructose. corn sweetener, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, dextrose, fruit juice concentrates, lactose, maltose, malt syrup, molasses, cane juice, cane syrup and sucrose. Any ingredient ending in “ose” is likely a form of sugar.
Too much sugar often leads to low-level inflammation that can result in many health conditions. Remember, low-level inflammation is the core cause of most illness, disease, faster aging and weight gain. More nutritious foods may be overlooked in the quest for something sweet. By reading labels and choosing carefully, you can reduce the amount of added sugar in your diet and create vibrant, optimal health.