Nutrition experts confirm that women should consume only 24 grams of sugar per day, while men are allowed up to 36 grams. However, many of us may be surprised that what we consume is much higher than that. Although some foods or drinks are known to contain high amounts of sugar, such as soda, which contains nearly 40 grams of sugar per can, many might not realize that a can of tomatoes, for example, can hold up to 20 grams. Several other foods may also hide large quantities of sugar. Below are some of those foods, according to the American site "brightside":
1. **Canned Tomatoes**:
Many think that canned tomatoes are healthy, but this is not true. The sugar content in one can can actually cover the daily required amount, especially in tomato-based sauces, where sugar is used to balance acidity.
2. **Low-Fat Yogurt**:
While low-fat foods may tempt those seeking a healthy lifestyle, not all are beneficial, particularly yogurt. A full-fat yogurt contains 4.7 grams of sugar, while a Greek yogurt can contain between 6 to 12 grams. Sugar is added in low-fat options to compensate for the loss of flavor and texture due to the absence of fat, and many low-fat flavored yogurts also contain unhealthy forms of sweeteners, such as sugar or high fructose corn syrup.
3. **Fat-Free Salad Dressings**:
Furthermore, salad dressings marketed for dieting, which have a lower fat and calorie content, often contain increased amounts of sugar. Two tablespoons of these dressings can hold around 7 to 10 grams of added sugar. Experts recommend making your own salad dressing at home to ensure there are no added sugars or preservatives.
4. **Ketchup**:
Ketchup, which contains a mix of sweet and sour flavors, has one tablespoon equivalent to putting a whole sugar cube in your mouth, as most ketchup bottles contain nearly 4 grams of sugar per tablespoon, along with large amounts of high fructose corn syrup, which is often linked to obesity and heart diseases.
5. **Peanut Butter**:
While natural peanut butter does not contain much sugar, many other types are filled with unhealthy oils and added sugars. Some major brands can contain up to 8 grams of sugar per two tablespoons. Nutritionists recommend reading the labels on peanut butter to identify which ones are more natural and healthy.
6. **Potato Chips**:
Potato chips also contain between 3% to 5% sugar, especially those with flavors like barbecue, chili, or honey, or sweet corn chips. They also have a high carbohydrate content, which the body converts into a type of sugar called glucose.
7. **Dried Fruits**:
Finally, we come to dried fruits. While some believe that fruit can make for a healthy snack, when it is dried, it loses water, leaving all sugars concentrated inside, making it very rich in natural sugars.
