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Don’t Overlook These 5 Hidden Sources of Sugar

By Brierley Horton
Updated December 18, 2017
Sugar is added to 68% of packaged foods and drinks in the U.S.—plenty of which aren't even sweet-tasting. So if you want to cut back on the sugar in your diet, being mindful of these products is an easy first step. Here are a few places sugar typically hides.
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Plant-Based Milks

Photo: Kelsey Hansen

Most almond, coconut, soy, and other plant-based milks contain 2 to 5g of total sugar per serving. That said, we found an almond milk that contained 15g. Look for varieties that are labeled “unsweetened.”

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Nut Butters

Photo: Kelsey Hansen

Some peanut butters deliver as much as a teaspoon of sugar per 2-tablespoon serving. Seek out a spread that lists simply nuts as an ingredient, or perhaps nuts and salt or oil. Flavored nut butters will almost always contain added sugar.

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Bacon

Photo: Kelsey Hansen

Most bacon has added sugars as it boosts flavor in salt-cured foods. But a few companies (Applegate and Wellshire Farms) are making delicious bacon without any sugar. Can’t find these? We’ve noticed that most “lower-sodium” bacons also don’t contain sugar.

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Ketchup

Photo: Kelsey Hansen

Though most barbecue sauces and ketchups have added sugar, not all of the sugar listed in the nutrition facts is added—tomatoes contain natural sugar. Compare ingredient lists and pick one with sugar as far down as possible.

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Chicken Stock

Photo: Kelsey Hansen

A handful of chicken broth and stock brands contain unnecessary added sugar. Fortunately, there are plenty of brands to choose from that do not, so read ingredient lists and select a product that contains no added sugar.

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