Tag: Added vs natural sugar

According to the U.S. Dairy industry, an 8-ounce glass of plain cow's milk contains about 12 grams of natural sugar, known as lactose. This holds true regardless of the fat content, meaning the amount of sugar in light milk is virtually identical to that in whole milk. The real difference lies in the fat and calorie count, not the carbohydrates.

While it may seem counterintuitive, unsweetened applesauce is not sugar-free, containing an average of 23 grams of naturally occurring sugar per one-cup serving. The term "unsweetened" simply means no additional sugars have been added during processing, leaving only the fruit's natural sweetness.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the sugar found naturally in whole fruits and vegetables does not pose the same health risks as 'free sugars' found in juices and processed foods. Understanding how much sugar from fruit is okay in a day means focusing on whole, fresh produce rather than its processed forms.

According to the World Health Organization, limiting sugars can help reduce the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. So, can I eat fruit on a no sugar diet? The answer is nuanced, depending on how strictly you define 'no sugar' and whether you differentiate between added and natural sugars.