Added Sugars in Food: The Hidden Sugar Guide

The average American consumes 77 grams of added sugar daily — more than 3x the recommended amount. Sugar hides under dozens of names on ingredient labels.

Key Dangers

Ingredients to Know

NameSafetyDetails
High Fructose Corn Syrup🔶 WarningA liquid sweetener used extensively in sodas and processed foods. Linked to obesity, diabetes, and f...
Maltodextrin⚠️ CautionA processed starch used as a thickener and filler. Has a very high glycemic index and may affect gut...
Dextrose⚠️ CautionA simple sugar derived from corn. Used in baked goods, candy, and IV fluids. Rapidly spikes blood su...
Corn Syrup⚠️ CautionA liquid sugar from corn starch used in candy, sauces, and baked goods. Contributes to excessive sug...
Invert Sugar⚠️ CautionA mixture of glucose and fructose used in confectionery. Sweeter than table sugar. Contributes to de...
Turbinado Sugar⚠️ CautionPartially refined cane sugar marketed as natural. Nutritionally identical to white sugar despite bro...
Agave Nectar🔶 WarningA sweetener from agave plants. Very high in fructose (up to 90%), worse than HFCS for liver metaboli...
Brown Rice Syrup⚠️ CautionA sweetener from brown rice starch. High glycemic index and may contain arsenic traces. Used in orga...

Products to Watch

ProductBrandScore
MAX PROTEIN NUTRITION SHAKE, MILK CHOCOLATEAbbott Laboratories Inc 7
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH PROTEIN BARS, CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGHQuest Nutrition, LLC24
Cookies & Cream Protein BarBarebells24
PEPPERONI FRENCH BREAD TOPPED WITH PIZZA SAUCE, MOZZARELLA CHEESE FRENCH BREAD SINGLES PIZZAS, PEPPERONIThe Schwan Food Company24
Plant-powered super cerealelse28
Multihealth FiberMetamucil49
BLUEBERRY MATCHA + PREBIOTICS GUT HEALTH PERFORMANCE SUPERFOOD, BLUEBERRY MATCHAOrganically Raw, LLC59
CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER SNACK-SIZE MINIS ENERGY BARS, CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTERClif Bar and Company63
ADVANCED NUTRITION MEAL REPLACEMENT SHAKE, ORANGE CREAM SWIRL, ORANGE CREAM SWIRLKSF Acquisition Corporation68
VANILLA MACADAMIA NUT SOFT BAKED PROTEIN MEAL ENERGY BARS, VANILLA MACADAMIA NUTAtkins Nutritionals, Inc.68
Plant based milkCompleat73
MEAL REPLACEMENT MILKSHAKE MIX, VANILLAKSF Acquisition Corporation80
SMALL, ITALIAN-STYLE BREADED WHITE MEAT CLASSIC CHICKEN PARMIGIANA CHICKEN PATTIES OVER RIGATONI PASTA TOPPED WITH MARINARA SAUCE & MOZZARELLA CHEESE, CLASSIC CHICKEN PARMIGIANAMarie Callender's Retail Foods80
CHILI LIME THE SEAWEED SNACK, CHILI LIMENew Frontier Foods Inc. 90

Frequently Asked Questions

How much sugar is too much?
The American Heart Association recommends no more than 25g (6 tsp) for women and 36g (9 tsp) for men daily. Most Americans consume over 77g daily.
What are hidden names for sugar?
Sugar hides as: high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, maltodextrin, corn syrup, sucrose, glucose, fructose, agave nectar, barley malt, brown rice syrup, cane juice, and many more.
How to find low-sugar products?
Use CheckIt AI to scan any product and instantly see its total and added sugar content. The app scores products partly based on sugar levels.

Scan Any Product Free →