Tag: Fruit vs jam

While it is made from fruit, jam is not classified in the fruit food group within many nutritional guidelines due to its high added sugar content. This distinction highlights a common misconception about what type of food group is jam and how it should be consumed.

According to nutritional data, a single tablespoon of jam can contain over 50 calories, with nearly all of them coming from sugar. So, why is jam so high in calories compared to the fruit it's made from? The answer lies in the jam-making process, which concentrates fruit and adds a significant amount of sugar, drastically altering its nutritional profile.

According to a study published in 2017, the carbohydrate content in commercially produced jams ranges from 65.99–67.65g per 100g, with the vast majority being sugar. This fact reveals that while jams offer a convenient way to consume fruit, their high sugar content is a primary factor determining just how unhealthy they can be, especially when consumed regularly.