NULL
Eating too much sugar does more than affect your weight. It can also damage your teeth. Sugars are like acids. When mixed with the saliva in your mouth, sugar begins dissolving the protective coating on teeth. That acid attack can last for 20 minutes after eating or drinking a sugary treat. Sugar also works with naturally occurring bacteria in your mouth to build up plaque and further eat away at enamel, creating cavities. Obvious sugars, as in desserts, sodas and candies are not the only culprits. Sugar can sneak in without you noticing. Here are some of the hidden sugars to look out for.
1. Drinks
Certain beverages that we drink everyday are loaded with sugar. Coffee and other morning drinks are usually consumed with at least a couple of added teaspoons of sugar, and some people drink several cups per day. The most common sugary drink, sodas, can contain just as much sugar as a slice of pie. For a healthier alternative, try switching to water sweetened with lemon juice.
2. Yogurt
Yogurt is often thought of as a health food. While it does provide calcium and essential probiotics, flavored yogurt is also laden with sugar. To get the health benefits without a high sugar content, try eating plain yogurt sweetened with fresh or frozen fruit instead.
3. Health bars
In an effort to refine your diet, you may switch to “healthier” treats such as oatmeal raisin cookies or chocolate energy bars. However, just because they may be labeled as health foods doesn't mean their sugar content is at a healthy level. These foods may contain just as much — or more sugar — compared to other treats. Always check the label for sugar content.
4. Sugar by any other name
While checking labels, be on the lookout for a sugar alias. The food industry is able to change sugar into many different forms. Ingredients like sucanat, fructose, corn syrup, molasses and dextrose are all forms of sugar that should be noted when examining nutrition labels and ingredients lists. Recognizing these hidden sources of sugar can help you manage your diet and protect your teeth.
