We all know that sugar isn't a super food. But it's now coming to light that the sugar industry may have essentially paid off researchers back in the 1960s to downplay health concerns, and make fat, not sugar, the villain for health problems.
Sugar occurs naturally in many foods, including fruits, dairy and even some vegetables. And while keeping an eye on any sugar is important, health experts say the real cause for concern is added sugars, especially for children.
"Added sugar has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, obesity and Type 2 diabetes," said Patricia Calvo with Consumer Reports.
According to the World Health Organization kids should have less than 25 grams of added sugar per day and children under two shouldn't have any added sugar.
But added sugars can lurk in surprising places, including many foods that sound healthy. Starting your day with a steaming bowl of Nature's Path Organic Apple Cinnamon oatmeal? Or maybe Vanilla Almond Morning Oat Crunch or Kellogg's Smart Start? All three have 14 grams of sugar in each serving, 40 per cent more than you'd find in a serving of Fruit Loops.
You probably wouldn’t put chocolate frosting on your morning toast, but two tablespoons of Nutella actually have more sugar than two tablespoons of Betty Crocker Rich and Creamy chocolate frosting.
So choose wisely and remember: everything in moderation.
Right now it's difficult to figure out how much of the sugars in a food are “added” from reading the nutrition facts label, because both natural and added sugars are lumped together.
But there are some changes coming, Health Canada wants manufacturers to put the "daily value percentage" of sugar on labels, which will make it easier for Canadians decipher how much sugar is in a product.
