8 Surprising Foods that Are Loaded with Sugar
Sugar has gotten a bad rap recently, and with good reason-it can make you pack on lbs, and a new study even found that it can screw with your smarts. Sure, ditching candy will help you cut back, but sugar is hidden in some foods you wouldn't expect. Experts called out the biggest offenders.
By Korin Miller
Milk
Drinking milk is a great way to get your daily calcium intake, but it has a whopping 12 grams of sugar per serving. Want to skip the extra sweetness? Get your calcium from broccoli and dark leafy greens like spinach, and limit your milk intake to one cup or less (think: a small latte) per day.
Flavored Yogurt
Greek yogurt is a wonder food-it's packed with filling protein and loaded with calcium-but flavored versions can contain up to 20 grams of sugar. Opt for an unflavored one instead (it has nearly a third of the amount of sugar) and sprinkle a little cinnamon on top for extra taste.
Related: 12 Foods That Won't Make Your Bloat
Energy Bars
Snack bars that are packed with protein make an easy snack when you're on the go. But some of the popular versions have up to 25 grams of sugar per bar. If you want a filling snack that's easy to nibble on when you're rushing around, pack a hard-boiled egg (just make sure you keep it refrigerated if you'll be out for more than an hour).
Red Apples
Red apples are a great, easy way to get a serving of fiber. And, unfortunately they contain up to 20 grams of sugar. Clearly, you're not going to gain a ton of weight from eating apples, but if you want to limit your sugar intake (and still get your apple fix), opt for a smaller green version, like a Granny Smith-it has less sugar, and about the same amount of fiber.
Related: Melt Flab: The Best Fat-Burning Foods
Fat-Free Foods
Pretty much anything that says "fat-free" or "low-fat" is loaded with sugar. Why? It's a great way to make things taste better without the fat. Steer clear if you can help it.
Bread
There's a huge difference between the packaged bread you buy at the store, and bread you pick up at your local bakery (or make yourself). The packaged kind has up to three grams of sugar per slice (so you'd be eating six grams of sugar per sandwich), while the kind you buy at the bakery or make at home has just a pinch of sugar for the whole loaf in order to activate the yeast.
Related: 5 New Ways to Lose Weight
BBQ Sauce
Not only is it packed with sodium, BBQ sauce has a serious serving of sugar, too-up to nine grams per ounce. Opt for a burger with mustard instead next time you're at an outdoor party.
Salad Dressings
It varies from dressing to dressing, but many of the oily ones (balsamic and raspberry vinaigrettes, Italian, etc) contain up to 10 grams of sugar. Try making your own instead by mixing olive oil, a little lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.
SOURCES: Nutritionist Stephanie Middleberg, RD; celebrity fitness trainer Manning Sumner
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