Scope out hidden sugar

The average U.S. adult eats 22 teaspoons of added sugar per day. That’s any sugar added to foods by you—think stirring sugar into your coffee—or by food manufacturers. It’s the second category that can make dropping pounds such a challenge. Sugar is added not just to sweet-tasting foods like cookies and candy, but also breads, sauces, dressings, condiments, and more. So read labels wisely: product-makers aren’t required to separate out “added sugar” from the kind that occurs naturally (like in fruit). On the list of ingredients, look for sugar, as well as brown sugar, corn syrup, maltose, fructose, dextrose, molasses, agave, brown rice syrup, cane sugar, cane syrup, and evaporated cane juice.