A common ingredient often concealed in food labels could be the culprit behind your failed diets.
As we approach 2025, many are stocking up their cupboards with what they believe to be healthy foods for their weight loss and fitness goals. However, these efforts could be undermined by the sneaky addition of sugars.
This hidden component is prevalent in numerous food products, even those marketed as diet or fitness-friendly, and is typically buried within the nutritional information on packaging. A 2023 study by The Lancet revealed that individuals with high-sugar diets had an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Highlighting our potential misconceptions about healthy eating, one study singled out low-calorie drinks for their negative impact on cardiovascular disease risk, despite appearing healthier than regular fizzy drinks. Currently, it’s estimated that the average UK adult consumes more than double the recommended daily sugar intake.
This not only boosts the body’s fat storage, particularly around the belly, but also impacts metabolic and cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of serious conditions like diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Despite most folks knowing that the added sugars in treats like sweets and chocs play havoc with our health, they might not clock it’s lurking in loads of other products—take granola bars, for example.
Fitness experts at Ski Famille have explained how to dodge this crafty component, starting with its aliases on food labels. They shared: “Sugar hides under many names, including fructose, sucrose, and corn syrup. Check ingredient lists on packaged foods to spot these sneaky additions.”
Getting your apron on and rustling up grub from scratch can make sure you’re clued up on your sugar intake, while swapping out the processed munchies for natural nosh like nuts, seeds and fruit could cut down your sugar consumption. For those sweet tooths out there—the boffins suggest giving natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup a whirl; synthetics are bad news, upping your risk of heart issues. Cutting back on sugary drinks, the diet ones too, is another hefty stride towards smashing your 2025 health and fitness objectives.
