What are added sugars for Grade 7 students?

📚 What are Added Sugars?

Added sugars are sugars and syrups that have been added to foods or beverages during processing or preparation. They're not the sugars that are naturally present in foods like fruits (which contain fructose) or milk (which contains lactose).

📜 A Little History

Humans have been using sweeteners for a long time! Honey was one of the first. As food processing became more common, so did the use of refined sugars like table sugar (sucrose) and high-fructose corn syrup.

✨ Key Principles to Understand

• 🍬 What they are: These are sugars added to foods during processing, cooking, or at the table. They aren't naturally occurring.
• 🍎 Naturally Occurring Sugars: These sugars are found naturally in fruits (fructose) and milk (lactose).
• ⚠️ Why Limit Them: Too many added sugars can lead to health problems.
• 🔍 How to Spot Them: Check food labels for ingredients like sucrose, glucose, fructose, corn syrup, and more.

🍩 Real-World Examples

Think about these common foods:

• 🥤 Soda: Often loaded with high-fructose corn syrup.
• 🍪 Cookies: Usually contain lots of added sucrose.
• 🍬 Candy: Pretty much pure added sugar.
• 🥣 Breakfast Cereals: Many are surprisingly high in added sugars. Always read the label!
• 🍧 Flavored Yogurt: Can have a lot of added sugars to make it taste sweeter.

💡 Tips for Reducing Added Sugar Intake

• 💧 Drink Water: Instead of sugary drinks.
• 🍎 Eat Whole Fruits: Instead of sugary snacks.
• 📝 Read Labels: To be aware of added sugars in packaged foods.
• 🍳 Cook at Home: So you can control the amount of sugar added.

✅ Conclusion

Understanding added sugars is key to making healthier choices. By being aware of where they're hiding and limiting your intake, you can support your overall well-being! 🎉