The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that starting in 2018, it will add an "Added Sugars" line to the Nutrition Facts label on food products in the United States. This will help consumers distinguish between "added sugars" (such as sucrose, sweeteners, etc.) and "natural sugars" (such as fructose in fruits). Previously, the *Dietary Guidelines for Americans* recommended that people limit their daily intake of "added sugars" to less than 10% of their total calories, as added sugars provide little nutritional value but can increase calorie intake and the risk of diabetes. Recently, Lisa Moskovitz, a registered dietitian and author for the U.S. magazine *Women's Health*, wrote an article pointing out the following are some of the most overlooked foods high in "added sugars," and one should be cautious when selecting them.
Many commercially sold breads, which are highly processed, contain a large amount of "added sugar" to improve their taste and shelf life. It is best to make fresh bread at home.
The sweetness in fruit yogurt does not come from the fruit itself, but from a large amount of "added sugar." It is recommended to choose plain yogurt and add fresh fruit to it instead.
The taste of store-bought pasta sauce is different from homemade sauce because of "added sugar." Sugar is much cheaper than fresh tomatoes, so many manufacturers reduce the amount of tomatoes and increase the sugar to increase profits.
When you add a packaged dressing to your salad, it is essentially no different from sprinkling a spoonful of white sugar. "Added sugars" like white sugar not only improve the taste but are also very inexpensive, making them a favorite for most manufacturers. It is best to use olive oil or balsamic vinegar instead.
Nut milk may look nutritious and delicious, but its calories mostly come from "added sugar" and flavorings. If you are a fan of nut milk, it is best to choose an unsweetened version.
The energy in energy bars is mostly provided by sugar. Therefore, when selecting them, be sure to read the nutrition facts label and choose products with a low value in the "Total Sugars" line.