Alongside getting plenty of rest and exercise, improving your health usually means changing your diet. This may include drinking the best a2 milk and eliminating any added sugar. While the former is simple, the latter can be difficult because so many common foods have far more sugar than we realize.
Below are our top six examples:
1. Flavored Yogurt
Generally speaking, yogurt is a healthy option for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a post-dinner snack. However, not all yogurts are made equal. Many flavored yogurts contain quite a bit of added sugar. To avoid an accidental sugar spike, scan the ingredient list to look for how much sugar your favorite yogurt contains. If the number is too high, consider swapping it for a tub of plain yogurt.
If you’re still craving a fruity flavor, add a mix of fresh fruit, unsweetened applesauce, unsalted nuts, or a bit of cinnamon to spice it up without adding any processed sugar.
2. Coffee
Although it’s true that a plain cup of black coffee doesn’t have any sugar, it’s also true that most people don’t drink plain cups of black coffee. The majority of coffee-shop enthusiasts prefer to spice it up with flavored drinks such as macchiatos and frappuccinos. Unfortunately, those tend to be full of sugar.
How much sugar? An average macchiato may contain 42 grams while some specialty frappuccinos can have up to 69 grams or more. Every once in a while that may be fine, but if you visit your favorite café regularly, consider opting for a plain coffee with a bit of milk or creamer.
3. Canned Soup
When you’re in a rush or exhausted after a long day of work, canned soup provides a simple and convenient meal. However, that easy meal can be fairly high in added sugar. For example, many tomato-based soups clock in at a whopping 15 grams of sugar for every 1.5 cups.
Before stocking up on canned soup, turn the can around to see what the nutrition label says. If the sugar content is too high, opt for some fresh veggies and chicken to make your own homemade soup.
4. Fruit Juice
Fruit juices, just like their whole fruit counterparts, contain an abundance of vitamins and minerals ranging from Vitamin C and B to folate and potassium. However, many of the sweetened versions also have a lot of sugar. In fact, some juices contain as much sugar as a can of Coke.
To get the benefits of delicious fruit juice while avoiding the costs of excess sugar, look for 100% fruit juice varieties and limit your intake.
5. Sports Drinks
Sports drinks such as Gatorade and Powerade can replenish your body with electrolytes after a challenging workout. However, they can also have a high sugar content. As always, it’s best to read the nutrition label to see if the sugar content is within an acceptable range. Alternatively, you may opt for coconut water as a way to rehydrate post-workout.
6. Ketchup
Although not technically a food, ketchup is such a common condiment that it warrants a look. On average, each tablespoon of ketchup has about four grams of sugar. Although that’s not a lot by itself, those tablespoons can quickly add up when enjoying french fries and burgers. Consider switching to lower-sugar condiments, such as mustard and hot sauce.
In general, sugar isn’t great for you yet it seems to be everywhere. A simple way to improve health is to identify common sources of sugar to regulate how much you take in. The above six foods are a great place to start.
