As per various health researches, foods laden with sugar or artificial sweeteners can lead to a plethora of lifestyle diseases, including obesity, diabetes and heart-related ailments. As per the WHO reports, around 1.9 billion adults and 41 million kids are suffering from obesity around the world. Having too much sugar in your food - be it in natural form or additives - can make you addicted to it. And, when you are stressed or feeling emotional or bored, you will crave for it even more. However, not all foods high in sugar that we eat taste sweet. Surprised much? For instance, junk food like French fries, burger, and packaged fruit juices and soda. Yes, these simple carb foods easily break down into sugar in the body, further leads to a quick glucose spike.
We have listed 5 high-sugar foods that must avoid to reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes and related diseases:
1. Flavoured Green Tea
We all know that there are various benefits of drinking green tea. This low-caffeine and high-antioxidant beverage is known to keep various diseases at bay and helps promote your health. There are many flavoured green tea that have gained popularity because of their amazing flavour and delicious taste. However, unlike your green tea that you drink every day (green tea leaves), these flavoured green teas contain added sugar or artificial sweeteners, which are without a doubt harmful for our health. Same is the case with the packaged Coffee mixtures we get - they also contain added sugar and cream, which reduce its goodness.
(Also Read: How to Make a Perfect and Flavourful Cup of Green Tea)
Flavoured green teas contain added sugar or artificial sweeteners
2. Low-Fat Yogurt
Having of a bowlful of creamy, homemade yogurt can do wonders for your health. Not only is it eaten as is, but also made part of various Indian delicacies as well - be it curries, raitas, kebabs or smoothies. Packed with magnesium, potassium, calcium, vihe low-fat version of yogurt that we get from supermarket and stores are surprisingly packed with added sugar and flavourtamin B-2 and vitamin B-12, this probiotic delight is a gut-friendly food. However, t to make it taste as good as full-fat yogurt. So, it is better to prepare yogurt at home.
(Also Read: 5 Best Yogurt Recipes)
Low-fat version of yogurt that we get from supermarket and stores are surprisingly packed with added sugar and flavour.
3. Packaged Fruit Juices
Fruits in raw and fresh form are the best for our health. In fact, drinking fruit juices fuels are body with energy and vitamin C. However, packaged fruit juices are not the same as fresh fruit juices. They are low in fibre, minerals, and vitamins. Moreover, they contain added sugar and artificial flavours and colours. Therefore, avoid drinking store-bought (packaged) fruit juices. It is better to prepare freshly pressed juice at home and have it without adding sugar.
Avoid drinking store-bought (packaged) fruit juices.
4. Salad Dressing
If you're on a diet and want to make a meal out of your salads, then you would be better off mixing some good carbs from whole grains with the greens. But, what about the dressings? Most of us prefer buying salad dressings from supermarkets. However, these packaged salad dressings contain high sugar than we can imagine. Two tablespoons of salad dressing contain around four grams of added sugar. Moreover, all these store-bought salad dressings have additives and taste enhancers in them. Opt for fresh fruit juice in your salad dressing for a healthier alternative.
(Also Read: Salad Dressings: 7 Delicious Ideas To Spruce Up Your Greens)
All these store-bought salad dressings have additives and taste enhancers.
5. Sugar-Free Products
Surprisingly, all the sugar-free products available in the market have sugar alcohols like sorbitol and mannitol, flour, milk, etc. These sugar alcohols are not absorbed by the body completely, having them too much may lead to digestive troubles, which ultimately slow down metabolism and result in weight gain.
Sugars that we get from fruits and vegetables are good for our body, if taken in moderate quantity. It is the added sugar that is harmful for us. Check the labels before you buy any bottled or packaged food.