It's been confirmed…sadly, 'sugar is the devil' say recent, incontrovertible findings. "Clear out these sneaky, every day sources in favor of the occasional really-worth-it splurge", says Dr. Robert Lustig, author of Fat Chance: Beating the Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity, and Disease.
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When
you eat an entire bag of gummy bears, or down a large bicarbonate drinks at the movies, you're
aware of what you're getting yourself into. But more than half of the sugar in
our diets is strewn across the entire range of what we eat, put there by the
food industry to make things taste, well, sweeter. And even if you're a careful
reader of nutrition labels, you might never know it. "There are 56 names
for sugar," says Dr. Lustig. "If you can figure out a way to have
five or six different kinds of sugar in one product, then you can make some
type of sugar fall further down the list. When you add them up, they add up to
number one."
Tomato sauce
Tomatoes are full of citric acid, which is comparable to vinegar, and
none too pleasing to the taste buds. Especially with the immature variety
that's forced into a jar, sugar is necessary to negate the acid on your tongue.
Since tomato sauce is certainly a healthier option than many creamy pasta
sauces, it's worth the few minutes it takes to make your own. Dr. Lustig cuts,
stews, and blends fresh tomatoes with his favorite spices for a healthier and
equally satisfying marinara.
Salad dressing
When it comes to adding flavor to your greens, the simpler the better. Even seemingly healthy options like balsamic vinaigrette are laced with sugar, and fat-free varieties are the worst offenders. In order to eliminate fat without sacrificing flavor, manufacturers pour in the sweet stuff. At restaurants, request heart-healthy olive oil and vinegar, and at home, stir together mustard, balsamic vinegar, oil, salt, pepper and the spices of your choice.
Yogurt
High in calcium and low in calories, seems it's the ideal afternoon
snack, right? Not if yours is fruit-flavored, or comes with a packet of mix-in
fruit. In fact,
about one-third of its calories come from evaporated cane juice, one of many
names for what is essentially white sugar. Meanwhile, when Dr. Lustig examined
a six-ounce pomegranate yogurt, he found it had 12 grams of added sugar, the
same amount as a bowl of Coco Crunch. Keep pro-biotic- and calcium-rich yogurt
in your diet, but opt for the plain kind, and mix in fresh fruit.
Bread
Even the whole grain kind has added sugar, which is put there to make
loaves brown better, and appear more attractive to consumers. "Buy bread at
your local bakery instead of the bread on the shelves of the grocery
store," advises Dr. Lustig. With its lack of added sugar, the homemade
kind lasts a few days rather than a few weeks, but you're supporting local
businesses and your family's well-being.
Sugar is lurking in the condiment aisle - and on your French fries or your common crackers. Almost one-quarter of Heinz's basic Tomato Ketchup - about 4 grams per 17-gram or one tablespoon serving - is high fructose corn syrup, not to mention that many of us eat plenty more than that at a time. Artisanal ketchups taste nothing like the mass market varieties thanks to the natural acidity of the tomatoes used, so if you can't stomach the flavor, try mustard instead.
Granola
Those who shun sugar cereals often turn to granola for a seemingly better
breakfast option, but watch out. Eating a bowl can be equivalent to downing a
soda, so if you do love the stuff, try replacing it with muesli. Both have oats
and nuts, but unlike granola, muesli is filled with fruit. Its naturally
occurring fructose is the only sugar involved.
Frozen fruits
Much of the fruit you're gnawing on when you can't find the fresh
variety isn't really the same - it's immature. "If they were mature,
they'd sell them for real," says Dr. Lustig. "They have to make them
palatable, so they add sugar." Though not true of every brand, it's important
to check for a "no sugar added" label on the bag. Better yet, to get
your recommended daily intake when berry season is months away, think ahead.
When fresh fruit is available, chop it up and freeze it yourself to reap all
the benefits and none of the disadvantages.
Peanut butter
Jelly's favorite accompaniment is full of protein and healthy fat, making it a good staple of your - and your children's - diet. However, sugar is the second ingredient in many leading brands, and the reduced fat kinds are the worst. Even some organic varieties are packed with sweetener, so make sure your jar clearly states, "No sugar added."
So now it is best if you could be aware of whatever you eat, because you might don't know what is hidden inside it. Be healthy, be a wise consumer.
Tomato sauce 
Sugar is lurking in the condiment aisle - and on your French fries or your common crackers. Almost one-quarter of Heinz's basic Tomato Ketchup - about 4 grams per 17-gram or one tablespoon serving - is high fructose corn syrup, not to mention that many of us eat plenty more than that at a time. Artisanal ketchups taste nothing like the mass market varieties thanks to the natural acidity of the tomatoes used, so if you can't stomach the flavor, try mustard instead.
Granola 
Much of the fruit you're gnawing on when you can't find the fresh
variety isn't really the same - it's immature. "If they were mature,
they'd sell them for real," says Dr. Lustig. "They have to make them
palatable, so they add sugar." Though not true of every brand, it's important
to check for a "no sugar added" label on the bag. Better yet, to get
your recommended daily intake when berry season is months away, think ahead.
When fresh fruit is available, chop it up and freeze it yourself to reap all
the benefits and none of the disadvantages.
