Avoiding hidden sources of added sugars

a spoon of sugar

January 4, 2024 – To reduce the amount of sugar in their diets, people should pay attention to unexpected sources of added sugar such as sweetened beverages, cereals, and yogurts, according to experts.

Diets high in added sugars have been associated with higher risks of obesity and type 2 diabetes. In contrast to sugars that naturally occur in foods like fruits—which provide fiber and important nutrients—added sugars in processed foods are not necessary, said Erica Kenney, assistant professor of public health nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, one of the experts quoted in a December 31 article in the Wall Street Journal.

Kenney cited sugar-sweetened beverages as an example. “They are basically liquid candy,” she said.

The experts recommended strategies for reducing the intake of added sugars, such as reading nutrition labels and swapping out foods with high levels of added sugars with similar ones containing lower levels.

Read the Wall Street Journal article: You’re Probably Still Eating Too Much Sugar

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