Sugar Claims:

Do not be fooled by tricky sugar claims on products! The FDA has proposed to make a change to nutrition labels that will include a line for added sugar that is not naturally occurring. Until that proposal is approved and in effect, be aware of these nutrition claims on products: -“No sugar added or No added sugar”: This does not mean that the product does not contain sugar! This claim means that the product legally does not contain more than 0.5 grams of sweeteners containing calories. However, artificial sweeteners may be added. All sugar contained in the product must be coming from its natural source. Yet, the sugar that is “natural” may be coming from 100% fruit juice. -“Made with 25% less sugar or Reduced Sugar”: In comparison to the product’s standard or original version of their nutrition label, the sugar amount may be 25% less, but still contains sugar! And a lot of it! Also, the reduction of sugar from the typical product may be compensated for artificial sweeteners. Most cereals or syrups with this claim still contain twice the amount of sugar that you need in a serving. -“Unsweetened”: Typically seen on products like almond milk or coconut milk, that does not contain added sugars or artificial sweeteners. It may contain extracts of vanilla or sugar coming from a naturally-occurring source. -“Lightly sweetened”: This claim isn’t regulated by the FDA, so companies can determine for themselves what qualifies as “lightly.” -“Naturally sweetened”: The FDA has not defined the term “natural”, but this terminology means the product contains added sugars coming from sources such as honey, agave nectar, evaporated cane juice, brown rice syrup, maple syrup, dates, or molasses. They may be less processed than regular white sugar granules,but contain just as much glucose whether “natural” or not. -“No high fructose corn syrup”: This claim means that there is still sugar contained, but just not the mix glucose and fructose. It makes the product seem less sweet, which it might be, but not any less damaging to your waistline.

Do not buy into these health claims! Sugar is sugar is sugar… What sounds healthy, may be just as bad as the original version. Be careful when purchasing products 🙂