Sugar is also known to increase your aging process and promote inflammation in your body which has been associated with countless numbers of serious health problems including health disease, cancer and metabolic disorders.

Ok, I know that you know sugar is bad.  I don’t need to keep hammering you with stats…I get it.  But did you know that one of the biggest reasons why the average American eats up to 22 tablespoons of sugar a day is because they don’t know what they’re eating contains high amounts of sugar?

The problem is, sugar has sneaked it’s way into every nook and cranny of our grocery store and into our kitchen.  You probably have no idea how much sugar is in some of the common foods you eat on a daily basis.

Here is a list of so-called “healthy foods” that are laden with sugar:

1. Low Fat Foods – The low-fat diet craze hit in the 1990s, and as a result there have been an increasing number of low-fat products in the grocery store.  The problem is that when the fat is removed from the food, it usually doesn’t taste that great, so food manufacturers adjusted by adding more sugar.  If you are buying anything with “low fat” on the label, then it’s almost guaranteed to have higher sugar content.  In terms of health, it is better to choose natural ingredients with the full fat content, instead of low fat products.

2. Breakfast Foods – It is said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but most commercial breakfast foods are filled with sugar.  Common culprits include cold cereal, instant oatmeal, and toaster pastries.  Even cereals that are labeled as “healthy” are usually sugar in disguise.  Skip the cold cereal, and whole eggs with veggies instead.  And if you’re short on time, whip up a quick by healthy protein shake with your choice of protein supplement with any plant-based milk and berries.

3. Ketchup and Tomato Sauce – Ketchup is a staple in most households because it is a great condiment to add to many types of food.  The problem is that most tomato-based foods are filled with sugar.  In one tablespoon of ketchup, you are getting a full teaspoon of sugar.  But who eats only one tablespoon of ketchup?  Most people eat between three and four tablespoons at a time, which means they are getting three to four teaspoons of sugar.  As an alternative to ketchup, try using mustard instead.

4. Salad Dressing – Eating a salad is a great way to improve your health because of the increased vegetable consumption.  Salad is a common diet food, but did you know that you might be slowing your weight loss results because of the high sugar content in your salad dressing?  Many types of salad dressing contain high fructose corn syrup or some sort of sweetener.  Instead of buying store-bought dressing, try making your own with avocado oil, vinegar, and fresh herbs.  If you choose to buy store-bought dressing, always read the label first.  Vinaigrette based dressings are usually lower in sugar than most of the other options.

5. Meat Flavoring – We love adding flavor to our meat through condiments such as barbeque sauce and marinades, but most of these sauces have a lot of sugar added, sometimes as hidden ingredients.  In fact, it is common for marinades and barbeque sauce to have high fructose corn syrup as the main ingredient!  So skip the barbeque sauce, and try cooking the meat in a slow cooker with seasonings instead.

6. Granola Bars – As an easy on-the-go snack, granola bars can be found in most households.  Even though they might seem healthy, granola bars are usually loaded with sugar.  Even protein bars with granolas, that are marketed as healthy will have added sugar in order to improve flavor.  Look for common ingredients such as evaporated cane juice, brown sugar, agave, and honey, which are all sugar in disguise. Skip the granola bar, and choose a piece of fresh fruit and a spoonful of almond butter instead.

7. Yogurt – Often considered a health food, yogurt is a big culprit for deceptive ingredients.  Some types of yogurt actually have more sugar in a single serving than the amount of sugar that is in a serving of ice cream.  Instead of flavored yogurt, choose plain yogurt and mix in your own fruit instead.  Also, stick to yogurt that’s free of hormones or antibiotics.

8. Coffee Drinks – Stopping at the drive-thru to get your morning cup of coffee might seem like a good way to start the day, but many times that latte has more sugar than a doughnut.  Drinking sugared coffee will spike your blood sugar first thing in the morning, and set you up for a sugar crash later in the day.  Order your coffee black or lattes without any sugar.  I’m a bit of a coffee snob so I always drink my coffee black, because it’s the best way to truly appreciate the taste & aroma of the coffee bean.  But it wasn’t until I started drinking coffee made from high quality coffee beans that I was able to start drinking and enjoying black coffee.  Quality coffee beans can make a big difference in your cup of joe!

9. Fast Food Sandwiches – This is a no brainer, because you should be avoiding anything fast food anyway.  BUT when you’re in a rush, and you have to get a bite to eat, it might seem like a good idea to grab a sandwich to-go with all of the toppings, but there are many ingredients that go into fast food sandwiches that contain sugar. Often, sugar is baked into the bread, added into the meat, and the sauces are loaded with sugar.  So Instead of a sandwich, go for a salad and ask them to use plain oil and vinegar as the dressing.

The more processed the food is, the more likely that it will have sugar added in.  If you must have processed foods, make it a habit to read the labels on everything that you eat, so that you know each ingredient in the package.  But the best way to solve this dilemma is to eat only real whole foods.  Avoiding processed foods is the BEST way to steer clear of any possible hidden sugars.  And most importantly, it’s the only way you can be sure of what you’re putting into your body.