Sugar is stealthy, Jimi. Added sugar is hiding in almost all highly processed, packaged foods. Big brands like to hide sugar in foods that are marketed as “healthy” to increase shelf life, enhance taste, and get you to crave more. Be careful you don’t miss all that sugar in the ingredient list… there are over 60 names for it! Here are 5 surprising places where sugar could be hiding in the food you eat each day: Sauces: If you check the condiments in your fridge and pantry, they will likely all include sugar. Ketchup, barbeque sauce, marinades, and salad dressings all tend to hide added sweeteners. Instead, try homemade sauces and dressings, and add flavor with lots of fresh herbs and spices. Try making your own ketchup from tomato paste, vinegar, and spices, or try a homemade vinaigrette recipe with oil, vinegar, lemon, garlic, and herbs. Snack Bars: Many bars are marketed as “healthy,” but if we look at the label, most will have sugar listed as a main ingredient - it holds everything together! Instead of a snack bar, try grabbing raw nuts and seeds when you’re on the go. Mix in some no-sugar-added freeze-dried fruit and you have a healthy, detox-friendly snack! Granola and trail mix: Granola and trail mixes tend to be viewed as nutritious snacks. Some granolas can be filled with whole foods like oats, nuts, and seeds, but most are brimming with added sugars to keep us wanting more. Instead, make your own granola using our grain-free apple spice granola recipe from the sugar detox, or consider creating your own recipe with your favorite fruits, nuts, seeds, and more! Yogurt: Yogurt is typically viewed as a “health food,” but almost any strawberry yogurt you’ll find at the store has 15-20 grams of added sugar - yikes! Instead, try plain or unsweetened yogurt and add your favorite fresh fruit, homemade granola, or spices like cinnamon for natural sweetness. Bread Bread doesn’t seem like it would have hidden sugar… after all, it’s usually savory! Unfortunately, almost all types of bread contain added sugars. Instead of filling up on bread, swap out that bun for a lettuce wrap and work to limit yourself on how much bread you consume. It might feel like sugar is in just about everything, Jimi. Don’t worry! Once you know what to look for, you’ll get better at finding that sneaky sugar, and it won’t feel so hopeless to limit your sugar intake. Remember, we’re here to help you every step of the way! Check our blog post: Healthy Pantry Staples for ideas on what healthy, go-to items you should stock up on to replace those sugary snacks. In gratitude, Drs. Wendie and Ed |