By Colleen D. Webb, MS, RDN

Cutting back on added sugar is easier said than done, but with a little bit of effort you can make changes that will significantly and positively impact your long-term health!
"Added sugar" includes sugars and syrups added to foods either during processing, preparation or at the table.
"Added sugar" includes sugars and syrups added to foods either during processing, preparation or at the table.
You might be surprised to learn that all of these common ingredients are "added sugars":
Here are a few easy and healthy options for satisfying your sweet tooth without all that added sugar. Don’t expect to find options with artificial sweeteners or other non-nutritive sweeteners.
- Agave nectar
- Brown sugar
- Brown rice syrup
- Cane sugar
- Corn sweetener
- Corn syrup
- Crystalline fructose
- Dextrose
- Evaporated cane juice
- Fructose
- High-fructose corn syrup
- Honey
- Malt sugar
- Maple syrup
- Molasses
- Nectars
- Sucrose
- Flavored yogurt
- Cereal (even mult-grain!)
- Granola bars
- Barbecue sauce
- Salad dressings
- Pasta sauce
- Teriyaki sauce
- Dried fruit
- Fruit juices and smoothies
Here are a few easy and healthy options for satisfying your sweet tooth without all that added sugar. Don’t expect to find options with artificial sweeteners or other non-nutritive sweeteners.
- One cup fresh fruit
- One ounce dark chocolate (at least 72% cocoa)
- Six ounces of plain yogurt with 1 teaspoon of your favorite jam (this is much healthier than buying a pre-flavored yogurt)
- One small mashed banana with 2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips
- Eight ounce tea latte made with low-fat milk (or unsweetened milk alternative, like almond, rice, coconut or soy)
- One baked apple or pear topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a drizzle of raw honey
- One sunbutter cookie treat