Four ‘healthy’ foods that are full of sugar

We all know that 3pm slump that makes us think longingly of our favourite type of chocolate. But the problem with satisfying that sweet tooth with high-sugar treats can lie in the tooth itself. 

Dr Khalil, from Primary Dental Port Macquarie, explains.

“Decay happens when bacteria found in most people’s mouths feeds on fermentable carbohydrates, particularly sucrose, to cause enamel-eroding acids – the main cause of dental decay.”

High sugar foods include all of the obvious culprits: lollies, cakes, cookies and fizzy drinks. But there are some hidden culprits among the ‘healthy food’ we see on our television and supermarket shelves. 

Here are four ‘healthy’ foods that are secretly full of sugar and some delicious alternatives to enjoy instead.

A lot of cereals look healthy but are loaded with added sugar, including many brands of granola and muesli, often clocking over 10 grams of sugar or more per serve – almost half of our daily recommended intake. Switch out for avocado and tomato on toast.

Although often marketed as packed full of fruit, often flavoured yogurt is loaded with sweeteners like fructose, glucose and sucrose – particularly the ‘low-fat’ options which often have added sugar to enhance the flavour. Switch out for Greek yogurt with fresh berries and banana.

Many processed muesli bars are high in added sugar. Muesli bars that promise ‘real fruit’ can leave sticky dried fruit residue on your teeth which contributes to tooth decay, while some dried fruit like cranberries include added sugar. Switch out for popcorn or some cheese.

Although coming from a natural source, fruit juice can contain as much sugar as a fizzy drink. Consider cutting back on full strength juice by adding some water. Switch out for diluted fruit juice with fifty percent water.

Dr Khalil says if you do feel like the occasional sweet, it’s best to enjoy it close to your mealtime rather than snacking on it in the middle of the afternoon.

“This allows the pH of our saliva to reach levels that will protect our teeth better. The easiest way is to have the sweet after your meal and brush 30 minutes later.”

This story was sponsored by Primary Dental Port Macquarie