Sugar Sneaky! Unmasking the Hidden Sweetness in Your Food

We all know sugar isn't great for us, but did you know it's hiding in places you'd least expect? It's not just in candy and soda, it's sneaking into sauces, dips, spreads, even salad dressings and protein bars! How can we possibly avoid it? The answer, according to Dr. Donald Hensrud, director of the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program, lies in becoming a label detective. 'Anytime food is processed, there are certain things that are added. And it's often sugar. . . or salt,' says Dr. Hensrud. Think about that for a moment. What does that tell us about the foods we typically grab on the go? Are we really getting the whole picture when we look at a food label? Dr. Hensrud suggests looking beyond the obvious sugary treats and paying close attention to the nutrition label on packaged foods. It might surprise you to find added sugars lurking in seemingly healthy options. But don't despair! There are ways to combat this sugar overload. Dr. Hensrud recommends choosing foods with natural sugars, like fruits, which are packed with vitamins and minerals. It's a simple swap that can make a world of world of difference.