Pour Some Sugar on Me
| May 16, 2010 | Posted by Lauren under Nutrition |
Sugar really is a wonderful substance. It can make almost anything taste good, and the more you eat it, the more you want it. I will be the first to admit that I am in love with sugar. I have a huge sweet tooth and love nothing more than a really good dessert at the end of (or even before!) a meal.
It’s too bad sugar isn’t all that good for you. If it were, I’m sure the United States as a whole would be a much healthier country.
While it isn’t news to say that sugar is best in moderation, how often do you actually stop to think about how much of it is in certain foods or drinks? The other day, EC forwarded me an email that really painted a clear picture of the sugar content of popular foods. While some of these amounts won’t surprise you, I thought it was interesting and definitely worth sharing.
However, I do feel as though I should present this with a quick caveat. Obviously, these pictures are looking at sugar and sugar only. They say nothing about the nutritional quality of the food as a whole. So while an apple does contain more sugar than a serving of Special K (or even Trix cereal, surprisingly), this information should be taken with a grain of salt. Not only is the type of sugar in an apple different than the sugar that is added to cereals (last I checked, an apple doesn’t contain HFCS…), the apple is also packed with a lot more nutrients. Plus, let’s be honest, who only eats one tiny little serving of Trix cereal in a sitting?
That being said, there are other things in this picture-list that don’t have any redeeming qualities from fiber, healthy fats, and/or vitamins…
Amount of Sugar in Common Foods and Beverages
Each cube equals one teaspoon of sugar.
Anything on this list surprise you?
Before I sign off, a quick announcement: sadly my guest post (and core workout) have been postponed until next week. My guest poster had a very important certain someone come out for an unexpected visit…which (I think we can all agree) is slightly more important than finishing her post for my blog. 
And because I don’t want to give you any false impressions about my eating habits, I’ll tell you that I’m off to make an exciting new dessert for my last night with the family! I think it’ll be delicious, though still relatively healthy (just don’t tell my sisters that it’s going to be gluten-free! ). Keeping my fingers crossed that the recipe turns out well — and if it does, I’ll be sure to post it on the blog.
I’m a bit surprised the Special K has so little sugar. it doesn’t make me want to go out and buy any; it just surprises me.
.-= Evan Thomas´s last blog ..I’m The MacGyver Of Baking =-.
I actually was too. It seems a little low, but then again — the serving size is really small. So if you actually had a normal-sized bowl of Special K, you’d be getting a lot more sugar.
Another great post Lauren! I remember how shocked I was when I found out things like ketchup and pasta sauce often were filled with added sugars. It seemed so illogical, because they’re not sweet! I am soo much better now about avoiding HFCS and all that nasty stuff.
And now go enjoy your yummy dessert!
WOW!! Great post!! This is such an eye opener to me. Especially the snickers bar– I hate to say it, but those are my favorite guilty indulgences:))
.-= Madeleine´s last blog ..Shoppin’ Sunday =-.
Very interesting post! Those are some powerful visuals – it really makes you re-think your sugar consumption when you see it like that!
.-= Katie @ Health for the Whole Self´s last blog ..Farmers’ Market Lovin’ =-.
I, too, have a massive sweet tooth. I never feel satisfied at night if I don’t have at least a little bit of desert. I think this also stems from the fact that I would rather bake cookies than make a big dinner.
.-= Alex @ IEatAsphalt´s last blog ..GMOs vs Organics =-.
That visual with the sugar cubes is great, isn’t it?? We did something similar in my nutrition education program for the kiddies, where we showed them test tubes with the amount of sugar in such and such food/drink. They were all like, “Woooooooah! Look at all that sugar!!” I think it’s a great point that even though whole foods can have a lot of sugar, they also have much more nutrients in them than, say, a boxed cereal.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for your dessert!
The pineapple, Trix, and ketchup surprised me for having so little sugar in them. I’m almost certain there must be more! I wondered if the people compiling the sugar content just came across a really sour/bad pineapple or something. Either way I am glad you are preparing a sweet treat to enjoy like a normal person, even if it is going to be gluten-free and relatively healthy
OH BUT MCFLURRIES ARE SO0O0O0O0O0O0O GOOD. The oreo cookies on vanilla = drooool. Whoops. I just contaminated your comments section with unhealthy thoughts. Sue me!
I’ll be looking forward to your guest-poster’s post, whenever he/she has time. It’ll be awesome
Aletheia
.-= aletheia´s last blog ..Which Greenola-Maker wins the Spiralizer? (and other pictures) =-.
Hahaha there will be no suing. Unhealthy thoughts are allowed on the blog.
I was also surprised by the ketchup, but I think it’s low because it’s organic (maybe??). And shown in a ridiculously small serving size…
I’m suprised the watermelon has more than pineapple! Crazy stuff! Can’t wait to read your guest post and I’m sure your dessert was out of this world!
Hope you enjoyed the last day with your fam!!
.-= Lindsay´s last blog ..I Ate Corn..Are Pigs Flying?? =-.
You might have just ruined Starbucks for me. Every time I go there I’m going to think of that image. But it’s so tasty and carmel-ey and delicious…
Okay apparently I’m over it. Thanks for posting the images, really helps me visualize how much sugar I’m actually eating!
.-= hbobier @ Basil Vodka´s last blog ..Unhealthy =-.
Wow, those fast food ones were really suprising! Like the McFlurry or whatever it was? Shocking!!
And I didn’t realise there was so much in a banana…it makes me feel like I should stop eating bananas
Lucky I never add sugar to my food imho!
.-= Freya @ Brit Chick Runs´s last blog ..Power to the Pumpkin =-.
yes shhhh.. i wont say the recipe will be gluten-free. fingers and toes are all crossed that it turns out delicious!!
oh i totally loved this post about sugar. its so upsetting how much sugar is packed into our foods.. and how even fruits are created now to be the sweetest! hybrid fruits are so packed with sugar.. and our taste buds are most likely messed up because of it. north america needs a sugar detox and a sugar wake-up call asap! lol
I love that I was biting into an apple as I went to read this post because I am not one to be worried about sugar in fruit considering I don’t eat massive quantities. I know about the sugar in ketchup but love Annie’s organic ketchup and can’t stop…ha. I just don’t buy the HFCS ones. I also make sure to not buy pasta sauce with added sugar or make my own. I can’t wait to hear how the GF dessert making (and eating…) went!
.-= Claire´s last blog ..quick & sweet =-.
I just found your blog and I am so glad I did! I have already learned so much! I am trying to lose weight for my upcoming wedding and have already discovered a few changes that I can make for healthier weight loss. I appreciate your post and look forward to reading more! You now have a new follower!
xo
Interesting post. Although, I must agree..you can’t just look at this as pictured. natural sugars are a completely different ball game than processed adding white sugar. But, in general, the best approach…everything in moderation! Right?
.-= Erica´s last blog ..Spicy Egg & Potato Bake =-.
Yes! I totally agree with that philosophy — even when it comes to things like ice cream.
This post is so awesome! I am so glad that you found my blog because it lead me to yours. I’ve seen a show before where a woman drank soda all day long. The nutritionist came in and showed her how much her sugar intake was and it completely blew the woman away because it was practically a whole large bowl full. I’m glad to see that Cheerios has only one cube because that’s my staple cereal. But I do admit that eating things like ice cream or McFlurry’s are my weakness and I’ve had my fair share of them. The bananas and the skittles surprised me by how much sugar they contain. I love both of them. In fact, bananas are the only fruit that I enjoy eating.