Beware Of Hidden Sugar

preventative dentistry in Villa ParkAt Michelsen Dental in Orange CA, we tell our patients to watch their sugar intake in order to prevent cavities and other health issues.

If you are trying to get as much sugar out of your diet as possible, you are probably skipping the usual suspects: candy, soda, and baked treats. But not all sugar is as evident as the frosting on a piece of chocolate cake or the powdery stuff in pixie stix.

Here are some foods found in grocery stores and school cafeterias with a surprisingly high sugar content:

  • Ketchup
  • Low fat versions of snack foods (Manufacturers often replace fat with sugar.)
  • Salad dressing
  • Breads, buns, rolls
  • Spaghetti sauce
  • Protein bars
  • Granola
  • Canned soup
  • Peanut butter
  • Yogurt
  • Fast food meals (Hamburgers, fries, sandwiches, and salads are often loaded with sugar, not to mention the dessert items.)
  • Antacids
  • Cough drops
  • Fruit smoothies (Even a small serving has a whopping amount of sugar.)

Reading the fine print on labels is a must. The following terms are all types of sugar:

raw sugar, glucose, lactose, galactose, fructose, dextrose, honey, sorghum, molasses, maltodextrin (or dextrin), maple syrup, and concentrated fruit juices

Do the math: when shopping at markets or health food stores, carefully evaluate food labels before you buy. Four grams of sugar equals one teaspoon. Add up all the grams of every type of sugar listed and divide by four to truly comprehend how much sugar an item contains.

At Michelsen Dental in Orange CA, we think minimizing sugar is an excellent idea. Our services include general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Michelsen Dental:

714-538-1178

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

172 N Tustin St Ste 104
Orange, California
92867

 

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