Sugar is a true master of disguise, cunningly concealing itself under various names on nutrition labels. Don't be fooled just because you don't see "sugar" listed. There are at least 56 sneaky "synonyms" for sugar that you need to be aware of!
Manufacturers make it easy to hide the true sugar content in products by using a slew of different names. While some are more obvious, like brown and cane sugar, others are cleverly disguised, like maltodextrin and dextrose.
Surprisingly, over 68% of bar coded food products in the U.S. contain added sweeteners, even if they claim to be "natural" or "healthy."
Sugar in Unexpected Places
Sugar can lurk in unexpected corners of your diet. It's not just in obvious treats like cakes, sweets, and sodas, but also hides in sauces, salad dressings, granola bars, and pre-made foods. Even seemingly "natural" fruit contains sugar.
Everyone's tolerance for sugar varies, but for those with type 2 diabetes or carbohydrate intolerance, consuming excess sugar can lead to issues like blood sugar spikes and weight gain. It's crucial to be aware of the various names and "synonyms" for sugar to identify hidden sugars in products, even when the nutrition facts seem low in carbs and added sugar.
What to Watch Out For
To avoid consuming excess added sugars, make a habit of scanning the ingredient list before tossing items into your cart. Remember, ingredients are listed by quantity, with the highest amounts at the beginning.
Feeling overwhelmed? Consult our list of sugar names below to navigate your shopping trips with ease!
Common Sugar Synonyms (Excluding artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes)
Basic Simple Sugars (monosaccharides and disaccharides):
1. Dextrose
2. Fructose
3. Galactose
4. Glucose
5. Lactose
6. Maltose
7. Sucrose
Solid or Granulated Sugars:
8. Beet sugar
9. Brown sugar
10. Cane juice crystals
11. Cane sugar
12. Castor sugar
13. Coconut sugar
14. Confectioner's sugar (aka powdered sugar)
15. Corn syrup solids
16. Crystalline fructose
17. Date sugar
18. Demerara sugar
19. Dextrin
20. Diastatic malt
21. Ethyl maltol
22. Florida crystals
23. Golden sugar
24. Glucose syrup solids
25. Grape sugar
26. Icing sugar
27. Maltodextrin
28. Muscovado sugar
29. Panela sugar
30. Raw sugar
31. Sugar (granulated or table)
32. Sucanat
33. Turbinado sugar
34. Yellow sugar
Liquid or Syrup Sugars:
35. Agave nectar/syrup
36. Barley malt
37. Blackstrap molasses
38. Brown rice syrup
39. Buttered sugar/buttercream
40. Caramel
41. Carob syrup
42. Corn syrup
43. Evaporated cane juice
44. Fruit juice
45. Fruit juice concentrate
46. Golden syrup
47. High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
48. Honey
49. Invert sugar
50. Malt syrup
51. Maple syrup
52. Molasses
53. Rice syrup
54. Refiner's syrup
55. Sorghum syrup
56. Treacle
How Much Sugar Should You Consume?
The amount of sugar you should consume depends on your individual circumstances. For those with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, it's best to limit sugar intake as much as possible. However, spotting one of these sugar names on a label doesn't automatically
Incorporating Vitamin N into your lifestyle can be a game-changer when it comes to managing your health and well-being. By being aware of the sneaky ways sugar hides in food products and making conscious choices to reduce your sugar intake, you can take control of your nutrition and support your overall health. Vitamin N empowers you to make informed decisions and nourish your body with wholesome, nutritious foods. So, embrace the power of Vitamin N and embark on a journey towards a healthier, sugar-conscious lifestyle today!
Comments