Sugar: Five foods surprisingly high in sugar (2024)

We need to reduce our sugar intake, says a new campaign group. But some foods have a surprisingly high amount of sugar added to them.

Action on Sugar has been launched to reduce the amount of sugar added to food and soft drinks. The aim is to help people avoid "hidden sugars" and get manufacturers to reduce how much they use.

Some foods have surprisingly high amounts of sugar added to them. Here are five.

Fat free doesn't mean sugar free, especially when it comes to yoghurt. It's often laden with sugar to keep flavour and texture when fat is removed. A 150g (5oz) serving of some 0% fat yogurts can contain as much as 20g (0.7oz) of sugar - the equivalent of five teaspoons, says Action on Sugar. That's getting on for half of a woman's daily recommended intake of added sugar, external, which is 50g (1.7oz). It's 70g (2.5oz) for men.

"The problem is people want low-fat food but they want it look and taste like full-fat food," says dietician Dr Sarah Schenker. "To achieve this something else, like sugar, is put in when the fat is removed. If people want healthier food they need to accept it might look and taste a bit different."

A tomato-based pasta sauce boasts certain health benefits, but a shop-bought one can also be packed with sugar. It's often added to make the sauce taste less acidic. A third of an average-sized jar, roughly 150g, can contain over over 13g of sugar. That's roughly three teaspoons of sugar.

And while coleslaw is mostly shredded vegetables, it also comes with an added serving of sugar. The mayonnaise is largely to blame. One tablespoon of a shop-bought coleslaw, roughly 50g, can contain up to 4g of sugar. A couple of spoonfuls on your plate is equivalent to a couple of teaspoons of sugar.

"Sauces are often high in sugar," says Dr Schenker.

Water is good, right? Depends what type. "Enhanced water" has vitamins added to it but sugar as well. A 500ml glass of some brands contains 15g of sugar, the equivalent of nearly four teaspoons of sugar says Action on Sugar.

Finally, there is the staple of many people's day - bread. The sugar content in the average slice of processed bread varies but can be as high 3g. Some sugar is formed naturally in the baking process but it is often added too.

"Often savoury does not mean low sugar," says Dr Schenker.

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Sugar: Five foods surprisingly high in sugar (2024)

FAQs

Sugar: Five foods surprisingly high in sugar? ›

Pies and cobblers. Sweet rolls, pastries, and doughnuts. Dairy desserts, such as ice cream and yogurt. Sweetened drinks, such as soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, and juice drinks.

What are 5 foods that are high in sugar? ›

Pies and cobblers. Sweet rolls, pastries, and doughnuts. Dairy desserts, such as ice cream and yogurt. Sweetened drinks, such as soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, and juice drinks.

What food has a surprising amount of sugar? ›

Ketchup, barbecue sauce, berry-based salad dressings and other sweet toppings are known to contain sugar, but some others may surprise you: Marinara sauce, for instance, can contain more than 20 grams per serving, as can ranch and caesar salad dressings.

What are the 5 worst foods for blood sugar? ›

You limit dairy products, red meat, sweets, added sugars, sodium (salt), and highly processed foods. Some additional guidelines include focusing on seasonal produce and reading food labels to help you avoid added sodium and sugar.

What are five foods that are not sweet but do contain sugar? ›

Surprising Sources of Hidden Sugar
  • Pasta Sauces. 1/12. They taste savory, not sweet -- but many have between 6 and 12 grams of sugar per half-cup serving. ...
  • Granola Bars. 2/12. ...
  • Yogurt. 3/12. ...
  • Instant Oatmeal. 4/12. ...
  • Salad Dressing. 5/12. ...
  • Breakfast Cereals. 6/12. ...
  • Energy Drinks. 7/12. ...
  • Packaged Fruits. 8/12.
Aug 28, 2023

Which fruit is highest in sugar? ›

Which Fruits Have the Most Sugar?
  • Mangoes. 1/13. Fruit's good for you! ...
  • Grapes. 2/13. A cup of these has about 23 grams sugar. ...
  • Cherries. 3/13. They're sweet, and they have the sugar to show for it: A cup of them has 18 grams. ...
  • Pears. 4/13. ...
  • Watermelon. 5/13. ...
  • Figs. 6/13. ...
  • Bananas. 7/13. ...
  • Less Sugar: Avocados. 8/13.
Sep 25, 2023

What 10 foods should diabetics avoid? ›

13 Foods to Avoid if You Have Diabetes
  • Full-Fat Dairy. Full-fat dairy products include rich cheese, cream, and whole milk. ...
  • Trans Fat. Trans fat is another food to avoid if you have diabetes. ...
  • White Carbohydrates. ...
  • Fried Foods. ...
  • Alcohol. ...
  • Processed Meats. ...
  • High-Fat Cuts of Meat. ...
  • Packaged Cookies and Pastries.
Sep 28, 2023

What foods lower blood sugar immediately? ›

5 Superfoods to Lower Your Blood Sugar
  • Berries. Don't make your trip to the store fruitless. ...
  • Go nuts. That's right—go ahead and snack on almonds, cashews or even pistachios. ...
  • Leafy greens. ...
  • Non-starchy vegetables. ...
  • Whole grains.

What food has no sugar at all? ›

Sugar-Free Alternatives

Mushrooms, spinach, kale, soybean sprouts, celery, broccoli, cucumber, cauliflower, radishes, and asparagus are among the vegetables with the lowest sugar content available. Seafood, pork, beef, and chicken are all sugar-free. They're also an important source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

What junk food is high in sugar? ›

Tortilla chips, instant noodles, muffins, croissants, and coffee creamers may be high in fat and simple sugars. Sugar also shows up in flavored yogurt and condiments like salad dressings, reduced-fat mayonnaise, and ketchup. It's also found in high quantities in some fat free foods, as it's used to substitute for fat.

What food triggers sugar? ›

“The most common trigger foods are highly palatable foods filled with sugar, salt and unhealthy fats,” says Lena Beal, M.S., RD, LD, a therapeutic dietitian at Piedmont's Fuqua Heart Center. “This includes soft drinks, chips, cakes, cookies and pies. The more you eat, the more you'll want.”

What food has zero effect on blood sugar? ›

Foods with little impact
  • Carrots. These are considered non-starchy (as are string beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, broccoli, asparagus and cauliflower) and good in a diabetes diet.
  • High-fiber grains. ...
  • Bran cereal. ...
  • Potatoes. ...
  • Cottage cheese. ...
  • Lentils. ...
  • Strawberries and raspberries.
May 3, 2023

How can I flush sugar out of my system fast? ›

Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar. One study found that people who drink more water lower their risk for developing high blood sugar levels. And remember, water is the best. Sugary drinks elevate blood sugar by raising it even more.

What are the five super foods to lower blood sugar? ›

According to the Diabetes Plate , non-starchy vegetables should make up half of your meal.
  • Dark green leafy vegetables.
  • Avocado.
  • Beans, Dried Peas, & Legumes.
  • Fish High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
  • Nuts.
  • Berries.
  • Citrus Fruit.
  • Whole Grains.

What happens if you stop eating sugar for 30 days? ›

This widespread presence can affect health in various ways. Cutting out sugar for 30 days can have multiple motivations. People often do it for health benefits such as better energy, clearer skin, and reduced risk of diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

Is a banana a day too much sugar? ›

True or False: Bananas have too much sugar- False!

An average medium sized banana contains about 14 grams of sugar, which is about 53% of its total 105 calories. When you see that a banana is half sugar, it's easy to understand why some might think they need to steer clear of them.

What fruit keeps your sugar below 100? ›

Although all fresh fruits make a healthy choice, certain fruits, like berries, avocados, citrus fruits, apples, and pomegranates, may offer specific health benefits for people with type 2 diabetes, such as improving post-meal blood sugar levels and lowering blood pressure.

What fruit is lowest in sugar? ›

Eight low-sugar fruits
  • Strawberries. Strawberries, like many other berries, are often high in fiber and contain very little sugar.
  • Peaches.
  • Blackberries. ...
  • Lemons and limes. ...
  • Honeydew melon. ...
  • Oranges. ...
  • Grapefruit. ...
  • Avocados.

What foods are high in sugar to avoid? ›

Free sugars are found in foods such as sweets, cakes, biscuits, chocolate, and some fizzy drinks and juice drinks. These are the sugary foods we should cut down on. For example, a can of cola can have as much as 9 cubes of sugar – more than the recommended daily limit for adults.

What food has no sugar? ›

Mushrooms, spinach, kale, soybean sprouts, celery, broccoli, cucumber, cauliflower, radishes, and asparagus are among the vegetables with the lowest sugar content available. Seafood, pork, beef, and chicken are all sugar-free. They're also an important source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

What foods do not raise sugar? ›

Anyone with diabetes might be surprised to learn certain foods minimally impact sugar levels, including:
  • Carrots. ...
  • High-fiber grains. ...
  • Bran cereal. ...
  • Potatoes. ...
  • Cottage cheese. ...
  • Lentils. ...
  • Strawberries and raspberries.
May 3, 2023

What should I eat if I eat a lot of sugar? ›

Eat Plenty of Protein and Fiber

Aim for at least one fiber-rich (beans, whole grains, veggies, or fruit) and protein-rich food (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, tofu) at each snack or meal to help keep your blood sugar levels regular.

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