Sugar - It's Surprisingly Sneaky!

From a cup of fruit juice to a bowl of yogurt, sugar is in nearly everything we eat.  How much is too much? It's complicated – our bodies rely on sugars to function, yet too much can lead to serious health problems. Tracking your food intake using Bon'App is the easiest way to find out how much sugar you consume.

Natural Sugar

 Not all sugars are created equal - the natural sugar found in vegetables, grains, and dairy products provide the body’s main source of fuel. While one raw mango contains 30 grams of natural sugar and a cup of carrots 6 grams, both are so chock-full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals that it would be silly not to consume them. These “good” sugars are a desirable source of calories and are found in foods that help you achieve your healthy eating goals! 

Added Sugars are the Issue 

The refined sugars that sweeten soda, candy, and baked goods are not made by Mother Nature and when consumed in excess, wreak havoc on your diet and waistline.  These “bad” sugars are added to foods during preparation or processing and provide no nutritional value. And since sugary foods are often energy dense, they quickly turn your Calorie battery red.

     

The American Heart Association recommends no more than 9 teaspoons of added sugar per day for men and 6 for women, but the average intake of added sugar in the U.S. is a whopping 22 teaspoons per person! The body can quickly turn this excess sugar into fat, increasing one’s likelihood of becoming overweight. 

Where is sugar found? 

Sugar hides in surprising places... cutting back on processed foods and sweets - and tracking your food intake with Bon'App - is the best way to reduce your "bad" sugar intake. But it's not as easy as it sounds! Watch out for these surprising sugar-bombs...

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Low-Fat Salad Dressing: Fattening oils are often replaced by sugar in low-fat salad dressings, and many varieties contain between 5-7 grams of sugar per 2 tablespoon serving. Instead, choose a salad dressing made with olive oil, which is a source of good fat.

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Flavored Yogurt: Many brands contain more than 25 grams of sugar per 6-ounce serving! While plain yogurt only contains natural sugar, flavored varieties often contain sugary fruit preserves. Instead, choose a plain yogurt variety and then add a handful of fresh berries.

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Spaghetti Sauce: You wouldn’t expect to find sugar in spaghetti sauce, but some processed varieties contain nearly 7 grams!  How do you know which one to choose? Just ask Bon’App! Tracking your food intake with Bon'App is the easiest way to find out the sugar content of processed foods.