Types of Added Sugar to Watch For
Many packaged foods contain added sugars—often hidden under less obvious names. Recognizing these terms can help you make more informed, blood sugar-friendly choices.
Common Added Sugars
- White sugar (sucrose)
- Brown sugar
- Cane sugar
- Raw sugar
- Turbinado sugar
- Powdered sugar (confectioner’s sugar)
Syrup-Based Sugars
- High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
- Corn syrup
- Glucose syrup
- Rice syrup
- Barley malt syrup
- Maple syrup
- Agave Nectar
- Golden syrup
- Malt syrup
- Carob syrup
- Sorghum syrup
“Natural” or Health-Washed Sugars
- Coconut sugar
- Date sugar
- Honey
- Molasses
- Fruit juice concentrate
- Evaporated cane juice
- Organic cane sugar
- Beet sugar
Less Obvious Chemical Names
- Dextrose
- Fructose
- Glucose
- Lactose (when added)
- Maltose
- Sucrose
- Galactose
- Mannose
Even natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup cause blood sugar spikes when overused. Teach clients to:
- Check grams of added sugar on the nutrition label
- Read the ingredient list for hidden sugars
- Balance snacks and meals with protein, fat, and fiber to avoid energy crashes