With all the recent hype about Hostess foods coming back on the market, I thought it was interesting to compare some of our foods that we might think are healthier choices for us, but have just as much if not MORE sugar than a twinkie.  I am NOT advocating choosing the twinkie, but in today’s environment, it is important for us mom’s to understand how too much sugar can really impact the overall health of our children.

Yogurt: Most commercial yogurt is loaded with sugar – as in, over 30 grams for 6 ounces! If you purchase plain with no flavor added, you can find lower amounts of sugar, but I have seen up to 44 grams in one small container (which is 11 teaspoons of sugar). Way more than the recommended daily allowance. In addition, commercial yogurt is pasteurized and many contain artificial colors and flavors. And if you look for a fat free option, check that it is not sweetened with artificial sweeteners that are just as harmful for you. When I heard that I should watch my son’s sugar intake to 10g or less per meal, I cried when I went through the store. I looked at all of the yogurts and couldn’t find any under 10 grams.

Tomato Sauce:A cup of tomato sauce can add up to over 20 grams of sugar. Most people eat tomato sauce on top of pasta (another carb source), so together, these could send you into sugar overload. You can easily make your own homemade sauce at home with out the added sugars. My husband used to be a big Prego fan and then I refused to buy it anymore and told him from now on, I was going to make homemade sauce. I have tried a variety of different recipes, and I think I finally found one that he actually enjoys. Last time he told me, don’t do anything different to that sauce you made last time. Sometimes I like to try adding hidden veggies, so I need to be careful about which items I sneak in without him knowing. =)

Granola Bars: Sugar is often one of the top ingredients in granola bars. The granola is actually another form of “hidden sugar” as these dietary carbohydrates break down into sugars in the digestion process. If you like granola as an option, rather than buying the pre-made ones, try making your own homemade granola. It’s not complicated and you can put in different ingredients that you know your kids would like.

Fat-Free Salad Dressing: When manufacturers take the fat out of a food, sugar is often added back in as a replacement. Fat-free French or Thousand Island dressings can contain over 40 grams of sugar as a result, turning a would-be healthy salad into something more resembling a dessert. Don’t be fooled by the “fat-free” label.

Muffins: The high amount of carbs in most muffins will profoundly interfere with your leptin and insulin levels, and that is true even if it’s a “healthy” muffin, like a bran muffin. Of course, in order to make a bran muffin palatable, it probably contains quite a bit of added sugar, on top of the grains it’s made with. Many muffins are also jumbo-sized, easily packing over 30 grams of sugar, or more.

Canned Fruit: Fruit is good for you, but can be problematic if eaten in excess, as it’s a source of naturally occurring fructose. Fruit when eaten as a whole food has fiber in it which helps with the digestion process. But many canned fruits don’t have the fiber and are also packed in sugary syrup, loaded with high fructose corn syrup. Just one cup of canned peaches or pears can contain over 30 grams of sugar. You’re far better off with a fresh piece of fruit instead, but use moderation.

We all know home cooked meals are the best options, but when you are on the run and have to eat out, do you realize what are truly good vs. bad options? The Center for Science and Public Interest has been doing research to help us identify some of the worst foods in America and today they have announced their findings for the Worst Restaurant Meal. Check out the link below, you just might be surprised in their findings.

They have identified Long John Silver’s Big Catch Meal with Onion Rings, the worst Meal in America. While I am not a big fan of fried foods, I do find it interesting that people might think fish is a better choice, than other fast food options, knowing all of the benefits of eating fish. We read in so many articles on the benefits of Omega 3’s and how fish is one of the best sources. So when choosing options out, why not go eat a fish sandwich, it’s going to provide me with good nutrients right?! WRONG! One of the things that makes this meal so bad is the use of partially hydrogenated oils to fry their foods.

The American Heart Association recommends that people limit themselves to about 2g of trans fat per day. This meal has 33 g of trans fat and another 19 g of saturated fat, which both promote heart disesase and nearly 3,700 mg of sodium, which promotes high blood pressure and stroke.

Read their just published article below with facts and research around their findings. I will admit, I have one son who likes their food and sometimes I would let him eat there. After reading this article, I don’t think I will be going through their drive thru again.

http://www.cspinet.org/new/201307011.html