The real sugar culprits

Canned fruit contributes less than two percent of the added sugar in most American diets. Top sources of added sugar in the diet come from soda, energy drinks and sports drinks, grain-based desserts, fruit drinks, dairy desserts, candy, ready-to-eat cereals, sugars and honey, tea, and yeast breads. To avoid the added sugar found in some canned fruits, consumers can drain and rinse the fruit to reduce sugar content, or select fruit packed in water or 100% juice.

100% fruit juices do not contain added sugar.

Pucker Up!

Some fruits and vegetables are naturally tart, such as cranberries, rhubarb, sour cherries, lemons, or limes. These items provide excellent nutrition, but in order for consumers to find them edible, they may need added sweeteners.

Drink 100% juice, not ‘juice drinks’

There are some general misconceptions about the appropriateness of 100% fruit juice as part of a diet, especially for children. The current scientific evidence strongly supports the nutritional benefits of 100% juice and does not support a relationship between overweight and juice consumption. In fact, 100% fruit juice consumption has been associated with improved nutrient adequacy in children and adolescents. Drinking 100% juice can help children and adults reach daily fruit and vegetable consumption goals.

Remember, there are no added sugars in 100% juice—just the natural sugars found in whole fruit. Helping consumers learn how to read a label and understand the difference between 100% fruit juice and ‘fruit drinks,’ which do contain added sugar, is critical.

Source:  More Matters