Hidden Sugar

Trying to cut back on sugar? Watch for hidden sugars in everything from condiments to soups — where it will surprise you!


Sugar is found naturally in many foods, including fruit, dairy products and grains, and eating it in these foods is actually good for you. After all, sugar (sucrose) is an important source of carbohydrate, the body’s primary energy source. But the average American eats about 156 pounds of sugar a year — at least double what health experts recommend — and most of it comes from refined sugar that’s added to processed foods.

Too much sugar can lead to extra weight and health risks. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to spot added sugar in foods. Look at the ingredient list and watch out for sugar’s many “disguises”: anything ending in -ose, high fructose corn syrup, molasses, cane sugar, corn sweetener, raw sugar, syrup, honey or fruit juice concentrates. If you find two or more, especially near the beginning of the list, the product most likely contains a lot of sugar. And don’t be surprised to see sugar pop up in strange places, including mayonnaise, ketchup, tomato sauce, salad dressing, mustard, canned soups, peanut butter, bread, fast food and TV dinners.