Just Got Nuts!

In today’s supermarket’s, what may be considered a healthy snack is actually contributing to a host of health issues. Sugar is hidden in so many different forms in all of our foods along with a host of other ingredients that you probably can’t pronounce. You can find hidden sugars in just about anything from drinks, snacks, and pretty much any packaged foods just to satisfy your taste buds and keep you coming back for more.

Below is a list of hidden sugars and artificial sweeteners to look out for and avoid:

High Fructose Corn Syrup

Dextrose

Fructose

Lactose

Maltose

Galactose

Sucrose

Ribose

Saacharose

Glucose

Monosaccharide

Disaccharide

Polysaccharide

Aspartame

Acesulfame-L

Saccharin

Sucralose

Sugar is highly addictive and can contribute to many health issues such as Diabetes, High Cholesterol, Obesity, Cancer, Liver Disease, and Tooth Decay.

If you are looking for sugar alternatives your best options are:

Honey

Maple Syrup

Dates

Figs

Agave

Stevia

In this Jules the Food Detective episode, you’ll learn about hidden ingredients in snack bars. The best alternative for snack bars is to make your own at home by searching for a recipe online or finding an assorted nut mix with dried fruits such as raisins or cranberries. You can even by these in bulk and make your own. Regular supermarket trail mix is definitely not the best option and do not provide a good source of nutrients as they add wheat products and unnecessary vegetable oil fats.

Keep a small reusable bag of a nut mix while on the go to avoid stopping at fast food places when you haven't had time to grab something to eat. This will prevent you from eating bad foods and will be provide nutrients your body needs until you are able to find a healthy meal or get home.

Bottom Line:

Remember to always read the ingredient list!