Natural vs. added sugar - is there a difference?

Sugar is a carbohydrate that adds sweetness to many of the foods we enjoy.  Sugar, in and of itself, is not unhealthy. However, it is important to think of the source of sugar in our diet as this can greatly affect the amount of sugar we consume.

There are two types of sugar: “natural,” as the name indicates, occurs naturally in fruits and milk. “Added” sugar, on the other hand, refers to any sugar or sweetener added to food and drink during its processing or preparation. It includes white sugar, brown sugar, honey, and high fructose corn syrup.

A diet that is high in sugar can have a number of health consequences, including possible weight gain and increased risk of type 2 diabetes. You might be wondering if you need to say goodbye to sugar altogether.

Generally speaking, most people do not overeat naturally occurring sugars. On the other hand, added sugars are often over-consumed, for example, the sugar you put in your coffee and the sugar added to many types of commercially manufactured bread. You are probably also aware of the high sugar content of colas, donuts, and fancy specialty coffees but beware--other foods also contain these ‘hidden sugars’, making reading ingredient labels an important step in healthier eating.