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A Dietitian Shares 10 Foods People Think Are Healthy but Are Loaded With Sugar
Verywell Health • • health
Key Points:
- Many foods labeled as healthy, such as flavored Greek yogurts, packaged overnight oats, granola, and protein bars, can contain surprisingly high amounts of added sugar, sometimes exceeding recommended limits per serving.
- Experts recommend limiting added sugar to about 6% of daily calories, with U.S. dietary guidelines advising against more than 10 grams of added sugar in any one meal.
- To reduce added sugar intake, consumers are encouraged to choose plain or unsweetened versions of products like yogurt, oatmeal, plant-based milks, and canned fruit, and to sweeten with natural options like fresh fruit, nut butter, or small amounts of honey.
- Some commonly perceived healthy items, including whole grain breads and tomato sauces, can also contain notable added sugar, so checking nutrition labels is important to make informed choices.
- Added sugars differ from naturally occurring sugars found in whole foods, which come with beneficial nutrients and do not have the same negative health effects as added sugars.
