Hidden sugars… or are they?

There is lots of information on health, fitness and weight loss freely available these days. A lot of it can be confusing, some of it can be outright lies.

But here are 2 things that I think most people will agree on.

1) Most people eat too much sugar

Most people could benefit by cutting down their daily sugar intake. (Not quitting completely). The World Health Organisation recommends around 25 – 30 grams of added sugar per day. This can be plenty if you are smart about it. And it can be bugger all if you are not smart and waste it on choices like BBQ sauce, flavoured yoghurts and sugar drinks (just to name a few)

This brings me to the 2nd thing that most people will agree on

2) There are LOT’s of hidden sugars in most packaged products

I have written about it hidden sugars. Done blog posts on them. Videos. Images. Lessons in my coaching program. Facebook posts. You name it.  I have talked about hidden sugars…  a lot.

  • How much sugar in your sauce
  • How much in your yoghurt
  • Drinks
  • Flavours
  • Breakfast cereals
  • The list goes on and on

—–

BUT – – As of right now…

I am changing my stance on hidden sugars.

You see what I have come to realise is that the sugar content in packaged foods is NOT hidden. The information is right there on the package for everyone to see. It takes about 5 seconds to turn the product over and have a look, conveniently listed under “sugars” (Who would have thought??).  Oh, and if there is no label, it takes slightly longer to look it up on Calorie King or a similar site.

  • Sugar content in BBQ sauce = NOT hidden
  • Sugar content in flavoured yoghurt = NOT hidden
  • Sugar content in fruit juices = NOT hidden
  • Sugar content in that meal replacement shakes = NOT hidden
  • Are you getting the picture?  LOL

bbq sauce label not hidden

—-

I used to think…

Those shonky food manufacturers. They are keeping us all in the dark about what is in these foods.

Now I think..

We are choosing to stand there in the dark of our own free will. Poor me, I didn’t know. It’s all their fault. Well I am calling bullsh#t on that. (Calling bullsh#t on myself too, not just on others).

Let’s take back our own power, our own responsibility.

Stop standing in the dark. Stop being a victim. Stop putting your health and body in the hands of others.

—–

Next time you see an image like this

 

how much sugar

Or this

 

how much sugar in drinks

Or this

 

Image from Australian Healthy Food Guide magazine
Image from Australian Healthy Food Guide magazine

I hope that you are NOT shocked.

I hope you say.., “Yep, I knew that. I know what is in the foods and drinks that I choose”

Knowledge is power.

—-

Oh, this post isn’t primarily about sugar. It is exactly the same principle for anything else that is in your food too.

  • Carb content
  • Fat Content
  • Calories
  • Chemicals

Its all there on the labels.  NOT HIDDEN !!

—-

Just to clarify my stance on sugar. 

I don’t think that sugar is poison, evil or toxic. I don’t think that we need to quit it completely. I think we do just fine with 25 – 30 grams per day, just like the World Health Organisation recommends. Some people can go overboard with the “all or nothing” mentality. I like moderation. 🙂

Related posts


 

Chriss Tinslay

With almost 20 years experience, Chriss Tinslay is one of Australia’s leading Personal Trainers.
Chriss started her career into the fitness and personal training industry in 1994  as a receptionist at the local gym she attended and loved.
She quickly went on to become qualified and registered as a Master Trainer with Fitness Australia. Over the last 20 years Chriss has helped 1000’s of people transform their bodies and lives.

Chriss has appeared in the biggest loser DVD series, Mornings with Kerri-Anne and has written her first short book “15 weight loss secrets that you need to know”.

She runs regular face to face and online fat loss coaching programs.

Chriss believes that fitness and fat loss should fit into your fabulous life, NOT take over it.   You can connect with her on Facebook where she shares useful tips each and every day.