Reading food labels is so important because many foods have hidden sugar - more than you realize and more than you should eat in a day. Foods like cereal, yogurt, granola bars, soup, juice and even ketchup, all should be researched so you know the portion size and the corresponding carb (sugar) grams. As a diabetic who counts all my carbs daily, I have learned that food labels are my friend.
Granola Bars - some are loaded with sugar. Look for those containing less than 20 carbs per serving.
Cereal - it is really important to look at the serving size, even with healthy brands. Raisin Bran has 18 grams of sugar in one serving or one cup. But, most people eat a full bowl and end up eating twice the serving size never realizing the sugar content.
Yogurt - always look for low sugar or greek yogurt if you can. Greek yogurt can be the perfect snack at 20 carbs and a source of healthy protein.
Juice - juice is a form of concentrated natural sugar and will raise your blood sugar fast, but a small, 10 ounce bottle of orange juice will contain 30 grams of sugar. Try to eat a small orange as an alternative.
Soup - always look at the serving size when you are picking a can of soup, because with most, the serving size is for two. So 14 carbs quickly becomes double that without you even being aware.
Ketchup - there is one teaspoon of sugar in every tablespoon of ketsup. So before you load up that burger, think about that hidden sugar and try picking mustard Instead :-)
Yes, I am that annoying person at the grocery store reading the labels and blocking the isle. But, if you really want to cut sugar from your diet, you should be that person too. I eat what I want - I just consume less added sugar by learning a little more about the food I eat.
Happy Wednesday!
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Iknow it is important to do but I never do it. My #2 though, would rather read a food label than a magazine!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info:) I love ketchup and probably eat too much of it! Have a blessed day and I am going to read my cereal label:) HUGS!
ReplyDeleteI hear you on those portions. It takes me forever to shop because I'm always reading labels for the hidden dangers!
ReplyDeleteXO,
Jane
I'm so glad you posted this. Sugar, in my opinion, is like a drug that is still legal. Oh, that was such a negative thing to say. Let me redeem myself by saying that your blog is lovely and really fun to read. I found you when I was reading www.reluctantemptynester.blogspot.com. Those of us in this next phase of life benefit from the wisdom we each are able to share. Blessings on your day!
ReplyDeleteDana~ thestarfishstudio.blogspot.com
I look for high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, the "oses" and others. Many hidden culprits.
ReplyDeleteI'm right with you on this one, which is why I make most of my stuff...including salad dressings and spaghetti sauce...myself.
ReplyDeleteSimple truths hidden away inside a label . . . or two. . . Thank you Vicki . . .
ReplyDeleteI'm that annoying person too! I know we can't get rid of sugar completely from our diets as it's hidden in so many things - just unexpected places like spaghetti sauce is what will get you. The moral of all of this is "make your own" salad dressings, pasta sauces and baked goods so that you can control the sugar.
ReplyDeleteAnd I never have juice in the fridge (expect for overnight guests) - it's just empty calories to me. I'd rather have my sugar in something more tactile than in a glass. Except wine, I'll take my sugar in a glass there - lol.