10 Foods With Hidden Sweet Spots
When it comes to sugar, cupcakes and cookies are obvious diet derailers. The real saboteurs of healthy eating however are sneaky sources of the sweet stuff, which in a day of meals and snacks can add up to serious trouble — especially if you’re among the 25.8 million Americans who suffer from diabetes. To address the epidemic, uncover 10 foods with added sugar that may surprise you.
1. Fast-food chicken sandwich
I’ve seen a lot of sneaky sources of sugar, but I was shocked to discover that many of the fried chicken sandwiches offered at popular fast food joints can contain up to 16 grams of the sweet stuff — that’s 4 teaspoons of sugar per sandwich!
2. Packaged bread
Think you’re doing yourself a favor by buying a loaf of honey wheat? Think again. Bread manufacturers add sugar to retain moisture, add softness and lend a mild sweetness to their breads. If you’re having trouble finding a loaf without added sugar, keep in mind that ingredients are listed by weight. The farther down sugar appears on the ingredients list, the less a slice will contain.
3. Coleslaw
A few varieties of the store-bought coleslaw that I found in my grocery store contain up to 3.5 teaspoons of sugar per 1 cup serving. The easiest way to avoid sugar in your slaw is to make the popular cabbage dish at home and leave the white stuff out — some recipes for call for sugar, others don’t. Still, if you’re short on time, and the only option on the shelf contains sugar, mix in some additional shredded cabbage and low-fat Greek yogurt to cut the sugar and fat without losing the creaminess.
4. Tomato sauce
They may not taste overly sweet, but many jarred tomato and sauces are loaded with sugar. Look at the ingredient lists on some of those jars and you might even notice corn syrup in your sauce. The worst offenders I’ve found have 15 grams (nearly 4 teaspoons!) of sugar per half-cup serving. When buying pasta sauce, look for varieties with no added sugar or ones that contain less than 7 grams per serving. Fresh is always best, so if you have ripe tomatoes on hand, roast them in the oven to bring out their natural sweetness. Then blend them with a little water and sautéed garlic to make a delicious homemade sauce.
5. Instant oatmeal
Aside from the oats, sugar is the second most common ingredient in many of those flavored packets of instant oats. Some contain up to 18 grams of the sweetener — more than 4 teaspoons. It’s better to buy plain oatmeal and add fresh fruit or a dollop of honey or maple syrup for a hint of sweetness.