Foods with Healthy-Sounding Buzzwords Could Be Hiding Added Sugar in Plain Sight

Many consumers unknowingly consume excess added sugar through packaged foods marketed with buzzwords like 'all natural,' 'low-fat,' 'organic,' and 'superfood.' According to the American Heart Association, the average American eats 17 grams of added sugar daily, totaling 57 pounds (26 kg) per year, with half from beverages and the rest hidden in seemingly healthy products like granola, yogurt, plant-based milks, and whole-grain breads. Since 2021, food companies have shifted from refined sugars and high-fructose corn syrup to alternative sweeteners like monk fruit and erythritol, which aren't classified as 'added sugars' on FDA labels, making sugar intake harder to track. Experts like Mount Sinai's Nicole Avena and NYU Langone's Collin Popp recommend checking nutrition labels and limiting added sugar to under 50 grams per day for a 2,000-calorie diet, ideally closer to zero for those with diabetes or prediabetes. Plain yogurt with fresh fruit and unsweetened plant-based milks are healthier alternatives.