In our modern and fast-paced lives, it may be difficult to keep a healthy balance of nutrients in our food. Sugar is one of these nutrients, and the cells in our body would die without it. Consuming too much sugar, however, raises the risk of several problems, including poor dental health, obesity and type 2 diabetes.
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To keep control of sugar levels, it helps to know just how much sugar there is in the food we eat. Here, we have listed the sugar content of numerous everyday foods, both processed and natural ones.
What is Sugar?
Sugar is a simple carbohydrate that belongs to a class of chemically-related sweet-flavored substances. It comes in many different forms. The three main types of sugar are sucrose, lactose, and fructose.
Even though our cells need sugar (glucose) to survive, consuming too much of it can cause numerous different health problems. Added sugar contains no beneficial nutrients and in excess only contributes to tooth decay, diabetes, and obesity.
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The American Heart Association (AHA) have said that added sugars "contribute zero nutrients" and are just empty calories "that can lead to extra pounds, or even obesity, thereby reducing heart health."
Being aware of the existing and added sugar contents of the foods and drinks we consume is vital for our health - even more so today because so many products have sugar added to them.
The AHA currently recommend that men consume no more than 150 calories from added sugar per day, and women 100 calories.
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In early 2014, however, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for a reduction of daily sugar intake to 5% of total daily calories in order to tackle public health problems, such as obesity and tooth decay. Nutritionists strongly recommend against consuming more than 13 teaspoons a day.
Sugar content in common foods and drinks
To help you keep track of how much sugar you're consuming we've listed some common everyday foods and drinks, together with their sugar content. Some of these may surprise you:
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How Much Sugar Is In A Chocolate Bar?
With high sugar content, chocolate should always be viewed as an occasional treat.
- Milk chocolate bar (44g) - 5.75 teaspoons of sugar
- Snickers bar (57g) - 7 teaspoons of sugar
- Milky Way bar (58g) - 8.5 teaspoons of sugar
- Marshmallows (100g) - 14.5 teaspoons of sugar
- Caramel piece (10g) - 1.7 teaspoons of sugar
- Butterfinger bar (60g) - 6.9 teaspoons of sugar
- Dove chocolate bar (37g) - 5 teaspoons of sugar
- Starburst packet (45 grams) - 5.5 teaspoons of sugar
- Twix bar - 2.75 teaspoons of sugar
- M&Ms packet (45 grams) - 5.75 teaspoons of sugar
- Boiled sweets bag (100 grams) - 11.5 teaspoons of sugar
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How Much Sugar Do Soft Drinks Contain?
Soft drinks often contain a high amount of sugar.
- Coca cola (one can) - 7 teaspoons of sugar
- Red Bull (one can) - 7.5 teaspoons of sugar
- Lemonade (one glass) - 5.5 teaspoons of sugar
- Orange squash (one glass) - 2.5 teaspoons of sugar
- Hot chocolate (one mug) - 4.5 teaspoons of sugar
- Fruit smoothie (one glass) - 3.5 teaspoons of sugar
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A study published in Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association, identified a link between drinking more than one soft drink a day and increased risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.
How Much Sugar Does Fruit Contain?
Fruits contain fructose, a type of sugar. Fresh fruit have no "added sugar", but as you can see below, their levels of sugar range from 1 teaspoon per 100 grams in cranberries to 4 teaspoons in grapes.
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*per 100 grams
- Bananas contain approximately 3 teaspoons of sugar (fructose).
- Mangos - 3.2 teaspoons of sugar
- Bananas - 3 teaspoons of sugar
- Apples - 2.6 teaspoons of sugar
- Pineapples - 2.5 teaspoons of sugar
- Grapes - 4 teaspoons of sugar
- Lemons - 0.6 teaspoons of sugar
- Kiwi fruit - 2.3 teaspoons of sugar
- Apricots - 2.3 teaspoons of sugar
- Strawberries - 1.3 teaspoons of sugar
- Raspberries - 1 teaspoon of sugar
- Blueberries - 1.7 teaspoons of sugar
- Cranberries - 1 teaspoons of sugar
- Tomatoes - 0.7 teaspoons of sugar
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How Much Sugar Do Cakes and Desserts Contain?
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- A medium slice of carrot cake contains approximately 3 teaspoons of sugar.
- Banoffee pie (1 medium portion) - 4.25 teaspoons of sugar
- Carrot cake (1 medium slice) - 3 teaspoons of sugar
- Custard (1 medium portion) - 3.25 teaspoons of sugar
- Chocolate mousse (1 medium portion) - 3 teaspoons of sugar
- Cornetto (1 cone) - 3 teaspoons of sugar
- Donut (1 jam doughnut) - 3.5 teaspoons of sugar
- Fruit pie (1 medium portion) - 3.5 teaspoons of sugar
- Fruit cake (1 medium slice) - 5 teaspoons of sugar
- Muffin (one chocolate chip muffin) - 4.75 teaspoons of sugar
- Ice cream (1 scoop) - 3 teaspoons of sugar
- Rice pudding (1 portion) - 3.75 teaspoons of sugar
- Sponge cake (1 medium slice) - 5.5 teaspoons of sugar
- Swiss roll (1 roll) - 2.5 teaspoons of sugar
Why Should I Monitor My Sugar Intake?
The American Heart Association has urged people to cut their added sugar intake because of evidence that it can cause the following health conditions:
- Obesity - Scientists at the Medical Research Council found that eating more sugar is associated with obesity.
- High blood pressure - A high-fructose diet raises blood pressure in men, according to research reported at the American Heart Association's 63rd High Blood Pressure Research Conference.
- Heart disease - Researchers at the Emory University School of Medicine and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found that people who consume higher amounts of added sugar are more likely to have heart disease risk factors.
- Type 2 diabetes - Research conducted at the University of California-San Francisco indicates that sugar intake could be directly linked to type 2 diabetes.
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