How much sugar is in the regular food we eat?

Author: Dr. Jeaneen Payne

Sugar – How much sugar is in the regular food that we eat?

Sugar is often lurking in everyday foods.

It is eye-opening to discover just how many spoonful of sugar we consume without even realizing it.

Added Sugars:
These are sugars that are not naturally occurring in foods but are added during processing or preparation to enhance flavour.

Added sugars provide mostly empty calories and can lead to health problems when consumed excessively.

Let’s take a look at some common foods and beverages to see how many spoonful of sugar they might contain:

Soda/Soft Drinks: A typical 12-ounce can of soda can contain 10 teaspoons.

Packaged Breakfast Cereal: about 5 teaspoons per serving

Flavoured Yogurt: 3.75 teaspoons.

Granola Bar: 2.5 teaspoons.

Bottled Smoothies: some bottled smoothies can contain a whopping 7.5 teaspoons of sugar or more.

Sauces and Dressings: Sugar can sneak into Savory foods too. Some barbecue sauces or salad dressings can have 1.25 teaspoons of sugar per serving.

The Impact on Health:
Excessive sugar intake can contribute to a range of health issues, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and tooth decay.

Being mindful of your sugar intake means being aware of where hidden sugars might be hiding. We can then take steps toward healthier choices.

So, whether it’s swapping sugary cereals for other options or sipping water instead of sugary drinks, small changes can add up to a healthier life.

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