Danette May's Lotus Journal - December 2019

Unmasking Sugar

5 Ingredients That Are Actually Sugar in Disguise

W ith Christmas right around the hot chocolate served at your kids’ school play, and the candy canes hanging on the tree. But did you know that sugar actually hides in a lot of surprising foods, too? In the last few years, big processed-food companies have gotten really, really good at sneaking sugar into their products, and that includes everything from whole-wheat crackers to condiments. Sugar is a master of disguise — and since ingredients can’t wear baseball caps and funny mustaches, it slips past people by masquerading under dozens of different names. In fact, HealthLine.com recently counted 56 different names manufacturers use for sugar! How crazy is that? Here are five common ones to look for next time you hit the grocery store: High-Fructose Corn Syrup This is probably the most common stage name for sugar. It’s made from processed corn, and while it hasn’t yet been definitively linked to health problems worse than those caused by sugar, the Cleveland corner, you probably already feel surrounded by sugar — it’s in the plate of cookies at the office, the

Fruit Juice Concentrate Fruit juice concentrate does come from fruit, but once the water is extracted, what’s left is almost all sugar! According to LiveStrong.com, the distillation process destroys the vitamin C and fiber boosts you’d get from whole fruits. If you haven’t already, try to go seven days without sugar (including coconut sugar; raw, unfiltered honey; and 100% pure maple syrup if you’d like a challenge!) and see how it changes your body. While you’re at it, don’t forget to snap before and after pictures and share them with the tribe!

Clinic says eating too much of it could lead to “insulin resistance, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.” Yikes! Sucrose This sweetener is also called “table sugar” or “common sugar” — in other words, it’s typical white granulated sugar, but with a more scientific- sounding name. Evaporated Cane Juice The “cane” in evaporated cane juice is, you guessed it, sugar cane! Basically, this is just sugar by another name, although NPR reports it may have a hint more molasses than the white stuff. Golden Syrup The name “golden syrup” might make you think of honey, but this pretender doesn’t come with the same health benefits. In fact, it’s just an inverted sugar syrup with British roots!

3

DanetteMay.com

Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog