Sometimes we view sugar as only being in candy and cakes…but here are surprising sources of added sugar you might not even be aware of! I read this article this morning from “Health Watch”.
These are good to know…especially if you are dealing with the dangerous side effects of too much sugar.
Tomato Sauces
Tomato sauce and tomato-based pasta sauces may contain more sugar than any other ingredient besides tomatoes. The more “ready-to-serve” a product is, the more likely it is to be laden with sugar, with popular brands containing 10-15 grams per half-cup.
Salad Dressings
You often get sugar instead of healthy vegetable oils in “reduced-fat” dressings. Such bottled products contain up to 3 grams of sugar per tablespoon – about the same concentration, by weight, as a regular soft drink. It’s better to make your own using heart-healthy ingredients.
Ketchup and Barbecue Sauces
A tablespoon of ketchup contains about 3.6 grams of sugar, something to be aware of as you squeeze that bottle. You probably don’t want to make your own ketchup just to save a few grams of sugar, but cooking up your own barbecue sauce might be worth it. Brands vary widely, but many list sugar in some form (such as high-fructose corn syrup) as the second ingredient after tomato puree, totaling up to 8 grams per tablespoon. (And who uses only a tablespoon of barbecue sauce?)
Baked Beans
As nutritious as beans are, you’re better off buying them without the 20 grams of sugar per cup found in sweeter canned varieties of baked beans.
Cereals
.We’re not talking about the sugar-coated kids’ cereals you’re already steering clear of, but rather the healthy-sounding choices that nonetheless pack a surprising sugar kick. Oat brans, oat and wheat squares, granolas and other fiber-rich cereals typically contain 10-15 grams of sugar per serving. Check the label and make sure the nutrition benefit is worth the sugar.
Granola Bars
Similarly, granola and “trail mix” bars seem healthy but can really be just crunchy delivery mechanisms for sugar. Chocolate and other coatings can easily bring the total to 20 grams per bar.
Frozen Entrees
That chicken pot pie has 4 grams per serving, a typical serving of lasagna has 6 grams and honey-roasted turkey breast might contain 9 grams of sugar.
Keeping your sugar to natural sources, such as whole fruit will also allow you to take in valuable nutrients and fiber. Choose wisely and enjoy.
To yours in health and wellness~
Tammy Parkinson CNC CPT CLC
Body Firm Personal Training and Nutritional Consulting
www.mybodyfirm.com
