Food & nutrition
Added Sugars: What the Label Tells You
The front of a package may emphasize “natural” ingredients while the Nutrition Facts label tells a more specific story. Added sugars and total sugars are different lines. Learn which number answers your question before comparing products.
What to do next
- Total sugars includes naturally occurring sugars and added sugars. The added-sugars line identifies the amount added during processing or preparation.
- Check serving size before comparing yogurt, cereal, drinks, or snack bars.
- Honey, syrups, and other sweeteners can contribute added sugars even when they sound less processed.
- Choose one frequent source, such as a sweetened drink, and try an alternative you actually enjoy.
Make the plan fit your health needs
The added-sugars line is not the same as total carbohydrate. If you use carbohydrate counting for diabetes, follow that plan rather than counting only added sugar. Do not treat “no added sugar” as a guarantee that a food fits every nutrition goal.
Put it into practice
Compare two versions of the same food side by side. A plain yogurt with fruit may work for one person; a smaller serving of a favorite sweetened option may be more realistic for another. Discuss the overall pattern and your preferences rather than labeling one food as a personal failure.
Notes for your next visit
Write these in your own notes or on a printed copy. Bring them to your follow-up.
- A food or drink I use often:
- Serving size and added sugars:
- A realistic alternative or portion change:
Sources and further reading
General education for adults. Follow your clinician’s individual plan and the current instructions for your prescribed product. If instructions conflict, ask your clinician or pharmacist to clarify. For a medical emergency, call 911.