Our Lenoir Dentist Shares 4 “Healthy” Foods That Are Surprisingly High in Sugar

If your new year’s resolution is to reduce your sugar intake, watch out: many so-called healthy foods are actually laden with the sweet, high-calorie stuff. And since the bacteria that live on your teeth love sugar, it’s best to give them as little as possible to munch on! Below are a few sweets that you won’t find in the soda, cake, or candy aisle from our Lower Creek Dentist.

Low-Fat Yogurt

 It might surprise you to learn that many products marked “light” or “low-fat” often contain more sugar than the regular versions! Low-fat yogurt is one of the biggest sugar sneaks, packing as much as 12 teaspoons in a single 250-gram cup. Considering that the recommended sugar intake for adult women is 6 teaspoons, and the recommended intake for men is 9, you might want to avoid the yogurt section—otherwise, you might be getting half or 3/4ths of your daily allowance!

Premade Spaghetti Sauce

 Since spaghetti sauce is made of tomatoes, it’s normal for it to contain at least a little natural sugar. However, many popular brands of spaghetti sauce have sugar added to them, as well. If you don’t have the time to make your own spaghetti sauce at home, be sure to check the label carefully to make sure that sugar isn’t a major ingredient.

Canned Soup

Premade soup is another “savory” item that tends to be high in added sugar. Of course, some naturally-occurring sugars are to be expected from vegetables and grains. However, many processed soups also contain high fructose corn syrup, barley malt, dextrose, and maltose—all just different words for sugar. When shopping for soup, check the label carefully for a high sugar content.

Breakfast Cereal

Breakfast cereals are popular breakfast foods marketed as easy and nutritious. Unfortunately, they’re also one of the most high-sugar foods you can eat. Some breakfast cereals, particularly those marketed towards children, can contain up 6 teaspoons of sugar in just one two-ounce serving. To cut down on your sugar intake, try choosing a high-fiber, low-sugar alternative. Better yet, skip the cereal and have some eggs!

Take Care of Your Teeth with Our Lenoir Family Dentist!

We hope that this post has helped educate you about ways to take care of your oral health. To schedule a tooth cleaning, dental exam, or other procedure in Lower Creek, please click here to request an appointment!