Sugar is killing us. It is hidden in many of the “healthy” foods we eat, and it is wreaking havoc on our bodies even though we try to eliminate it. Sugar causes inflammation in our body, and gets stored as body fat. Sugar sweetened beverages are directly associated with hypertension and high blood pressure.
When we say “eliminate sugar”, most people associate that with cutting out soda, or desserts. Those are the most common assumptions, but sugar is hidden in breads, pastas, and sauces like ketchup. “Healthy” snacks like granola and “energy bars” are also laden with hidden sugar.
What is hidden sugar?
Sugar has 61 different names. 61! Most commonly sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup are recognized. Barley malt, dextrose, maltose, and rice syrup are also common, but lesser known, forms of added sugar. Even if you’re reading labels and trying to stay with “sugar free” drinks, the hidden sugars may still be prevalent, and have the same effects on your body.
Read below for the list of names sugar goes by. How many do you recognize? How many are on the labels of foods you commonly eat? If you’re in need of a reset, our professional nutrition coaches are ready to help! Schedule a free consultation to start working toward a healthier you!
- Agave nectar
- Barbados sugar
- Barley malt
- Barley malt syrup
- Beet sugar
- Brown sugar
- Buttered syrup
- Cane juice
- Cane juice crystals
- Cane sugar
- Caramel
- Carob syrup
- Castor sugar
- Coconut palm sugar
- Coconut sugar
- Confectioner’s sugar
- Corn sweetener
- Corn syrup
- Corn syrup solids
- Date sugar
- Dehydrated cane juice
- Demerara sugar
- Dextrin
- Dextrose
- Evaporated cane juice
- Free-flowing brown sugars
- Fructose
- Fruit juice
- Fruit juice concentrate
- Glucose
- Glucose solids
- Golden sugar
- Golden syrup
- Grape sugar
- HFCS (High-Fructose Corn Syrup)
- Honey
- Icing sugar
- Invert sugar
- Malt syrup
- Maltodextrin
- Maltol
- Maltose
- Mannose
- Maple syrup
- Molasses
- Muscovado
- Palm sugar
- Panocha
- Powdered sugar
- Raw sugar
- Refiner’s syrup
- Rice syrup
- Saccharose
- Sorghum Syrup
- Sucrose
- Sugar (granulated)
- Sweet Sorghum
- Syrup
- Treacle
- Turbinado sugar
- Yellow sugar
Today we identified all the various names of sugar.
Read through labels in your pantry and refrigerator. Tomorrow I will talk about safe levels and ways to reduce your sugar intake.