agave

Sugar:  Sweet and Sneaky

Sugar is very sneaky. It appears in all kinds of forms and masquerades under many different names. For example, have you ever read one of those jam labels that says, “All Fruit” or “Spreadable Fruit” on the front? Turn the jar over and read ingredients.  Most likely you’ll find juice concentrates (often as the first ingredient) and maltodextrin — both forms of sugar.

Sugar Vocabulary

According to Environmental Nutrition foods with all of the following names are sugars (these are common sources, there are other sugars not listed):

Dextrose
Corn syrup
High fructose corn syrup
Maltodextrin
Fruit juice concentrates
Malt syrup
Molasses
Invert sugar
Honey
Sorghum
Agave
Maple syrup
Cane sugar

Be Aware of Disguised and Hidden (and not so hidden) Sugar

SocialDieter Tip: Read food and ingredient labels and look for the names listed above. By choosing fresh foods and produce you are eliminating any added sugar. Of course reducing or eliminating sugar-sweetened drinks – including agave and honey – will decrease sugar content. The same holds true for processed foods like crackers, sweetened cereals, and condiments, sauces, and dressings with added sugar, like ketchup, barbecue sauce, and certain salad dressings. Of course, sweetened beverages, baked goods, jams, ice cream, and candy  are sugar sources as are many fruit sweetened yogurts and canned fruit. You might like to try sweetening cereals and yogurt with fresh fruit, especially sweet fruits like mashed banana or sweet berries, instead of sugar.