You’ve probably heard by now that sugar is something best kept at arm’s length.
While some types are better than others, it’s important to remember that sugar is downright dangerous stuff.
We even argued in another article that sugar is the most hazardous substance on the market that is ingested on a daily basis.
Here’s some of its claims to fame, just to refresh your memory: it’s highly addictive, it causes you to age more quickly, it easily leads to weight gain and obesity, it’s linked to depressive states, and it suppresses the immune system.
And in case you haven’t noticed, it’s everywhere. Nearly all processed foods contain heaps of sugar (partially because manufacturers know that including it is a great way to get you addicted to their product).
If you’re dedicated to maintaining a healthy relationship with sugar, though, it’ll take more than simply avoiding processed foods. Sugar masquerades under all kinds of exotic names—which have been fabricated to trick you into consuming it.
Some of them are even marketed as health foods, or at least as “healthy sweeteners.” Don’t be fooled, though. Here’s a list of names behind which sugar likes to hide…
Buttered sugar
Cane sugar
Brown sugar
Corn syrup
Cane juice
Corn syrup solids
Beet sugar
Confectioner’s sugar
Dehydrated cane juice
Galactose
Agave nectar
Demerara sugar
Fruit juice concentrate
Fructose
Maltodextrin
Diastatic malt
Diatase
Maltose
Malt sugar
Mannitol
Florida crystals
Molasses
Sucrose
Sorghum syrup
Sorbitol
Yellow sugar
Carob syrup
Treacle
Lactose
Panocha
Raw sugar
Rice syrup
Castor sugar
HFCS (high fructose corn syrup)
Golden sugar
Glucose solids
Barbados sugar
Grape sugar
Maple syrup
Honey
Barley malt
Refiner’s syrup
Sugar (granulated)
Turbinado sugar
Golden syrup
Fruit juice
Glucose
Date sugar
Ethyl maltol
Icing sugar
Dextran
I’m sure you can see all the tricks at play here.
Some of the names are wearing healthy masks (beets and dates are healthy, right?) Some of them are “natural,” and thus simply accepted as a normal part of a healthy diet (like honey, maple syrup, and fruit juice. And some are actively marketed as healthy products (like agave nectar).
Others hide behind fancy, scientific names, acronyms, and slightly altered formulations. And still others, well…you may not even have heard of them (like panocha)!
Make no mistake, though: these ingredients all affect your body exactly like good old refined sugar—spiking insulin and causing energy crashes, causing massive inflammation, and disrupting your body’s ability to function optimally.
A healthy amount of sugar-containing foods is obviously essential for any healthy diet. Just don’t go overboard, and don’t be convinced that you’re avoiding sugar by consuming any of the ingredients listed above.
Take the time to read product labels, and use this knowledge to make wise and educated choices.
