Virtually every food gets ragged on by somebody for something. Few foods, however, have developed quite the bad rap that sugar has. It’s caused many to take steps to reduce their sugar intake and avoid it as much as possible. It can be more difficult to avoid than you might think though. Some foods and drinks have a deceptive amount of sugar in them.
Energy Bars
If you need a quick snack on the go, you can just grab an energy bar, right? It’s meant to give you lasting energy in a quick, convenient package, isn’t it? Well, if your goal is to cut back on sugar, you might want to think again. Energy bars can have a surprising amount of sugar in them. It’s part of what makes them taste good, after all. Different bars have different amounts of sugar, so make sure you examine the nutrition labels before you buy the next box.
Sports Drinks
Sports drinks are another common go-to consumable. They’re advertised as being hydrating, thirst-quenching, and an easy way to replace the electrolytes you might lose through sweat when you’re working out. Naturally, they’re also designed to taste good. Although sports drinks are popular, they have a lot of added sugar. The sugar content of some sports drinks could easily rival the amount of sugar in some sodas. In almost every case, you’ll be better off drinking water instead.
Yogurt
Yogurt is supposed to be healthy, right? As it turns out, it depends on the yogurt you’re eating. Some yogurts have lower sugar content, which may make them a healthier choice for you. Other yogurts, on the other hand, have so much sugar that you could easily consider them more of a desert than a healthy breakfast option. Keep in mind that there is a difference between the sugars that naturally occur in the product and added sugars. If you have to pick one to focus on reducing, reducing the added sugars in your diet is the better choice.
Sugar isn’t inherently bad for the average human, not in and of itself. The problem comes when you consume too much of it, especially all at once and in forms that are exceptionally easy to digest. This causes spikes in blood sugar and can lead to unhealthy fat gain. Remember to carefully read nutrition labels before you buy food so you can make better choices that have healthier levels of sugars in them.
Check out this article on how to get rid of allergens in your home!
