There are two types of sugars that we consume everyday, natural sugars that occur in all fruits and milk that contains lactose. Added sugars are any type of sugar that is not naturally occurring and is simply added to the beverage or food.

The American Heart Association says, “Over the past 30 years, Americans have steadily consumed more and more added sugars in their diets, which has contributed to the obesity epidemic.” Many people do not realize that in a 20 ounce bottle of coke there is 65 grams of sugar which is equivalent to 6 whole donuts that are 11 grams each.

Some things that you should limit that are high in sugar are sodas, sports drinks, fruit juice, ketchup, BBQ sauce, yogurt, chocolate milk, candy, granola, flavored coffee, protein bars, as well as other things that some people don’t think are “unhealthy.”

The way you can find out if the items you’re eating are full of sugar is by reading the nutrition label. On the back of the packaging if it says: Brown sugar, corn syrup, fruit juice concentrate, high fructose corn syrup, honey, invert sugar, malt sugar, molasses, sugar, sugar molecule, or dextrose fructose syrup, then you should avoid consuming the product in large quantities.

The only products that have natural sugars are fruits. The reason the sugar from fruit is not bad for you is because of the vitamins and minerals that are also found in these items, and they tend to also have less sugar then sweetened fruit. Natural fruit sugar also gives natural energy.

Just don’t drink your sugar!