A New Method for Calculating Sugars Content and Determining Appropriate Sugars Levels in Foods

Calculating the sugars content per 100 g or 100 mL or the reference amount customarily consumed (RACC) of food shows the sugars content of some foods inappropriately. So, making some food choices based on them to limit sugars intake may increase the risks of some chronic diseases. Calculating the sugars content and determining appropriate sugars levels (to limit sugars intake) based on the proposed method were performed in 6,810 food items. Making food choices based on the proposed method to limit sugars intake did not exceed sugars needs. Also, foods that did not exceed sugars needs were appropriate food choices based on the proposed method to limit sugars intake. About 69.3% of foods contained sugars. On the basis of the proposed method, the averages (%) of sugar free and low sugar foods in food groups were 42.14% and 73.46%, respectively. Beef products with 100%, cereal grains and pasta with 100%, finfish and shellfish products with 100%, lamb, veal, and game products with 100%, pork products with 100%, poultry products with 100%, sausages and luncheon meats with 100%, fats and oils with 97.92%, spices and herbs with 97.62%, nut and seed products with 91.67%, and vegetables and vegetable products with 89.18% had the highest averages (%) of low sugar foods. In contrast, fruits and fruit juices with 9.12%, sweets with 12.01%, baby foods with 27.93%, breakfast cereals with 28.9%, beverages with 39.27%, baked products with 48.34%, and snacks with 56.69% had the lowest averages (%) of low sugar foods. Most foods containing inappropriate sugars levels were allocated to foods containing added sugars. The highest amounts of sugars were found in cake (sugar added), energy drink (sugar added), carbonated or noncarbonated drink (sweetened), milkshakes, ice cream (sugar added), frozen novelties (sugar added), prune juice, sweetened coffee or tea, canned papaya (syrup pack), toaster pastries (sugar added), rhubarb with sugar, pear nectar, pears, candied sweet potato, pulled pork in barbecue sauce (sugar added), grape juice, juice drink, passion-fruit juice, malt beer (sugar added), custard (sugar added), pie (sugar added), papaya nectar, apricot nectar, pina colada, plums, muffins (sugar added), peach nectar, sweetened strawberries, guanabana nectar, syrup, guava nectar, pineapple juice, figs, dried apples, sweetened yogurt, tamarind nectar, apple strudel (sugar added), pomegranate juice, mango nectar, cranberry juice, canned peaches (syrup pack), coffee liqueur (sugar added), sugar, tangerine juice, pineapple, sweet cherries, malted milk drink (sugar added), mamey sapote, grapefruit juice, canned apricots (syrup pack), blueberries, blackberries (not raw), dried apricots, prune puree, dried currants, jackfruit, candies, grapes, dates, apple juice, dried litchis, tamarinds, pudding (sugar added), fruit salad, sweetened milk, fruit cocktail, sweetened soy yogurt, nutrition shake (sugar added), dried pears, sweet potato (syrup pack), honey, sweetened soy milk, candied fruit, sherbet, raisins, cake frostings (sugar added), dessert toppings (sugar added), whiskey sour (sugar added), frozen yogurts (sugar added), sweetened kefir, hotcakes with syrup, cranberry sauce, breakfast cereal (sugar added), molasses, orange juice, canned nance fruit (syrup pack), sandwich (sugar added), tangerines (mandarin oranges), litchis, almond milk drink (sugar added), pastries (sugar added), canned grapefruit (syrup pack), apples, plantains, sweetened chocolate, crème de menthe (sugar added), sweetened applesauce, chokecherries, rowal fruit, sweetened coconut cream, blackberry juice, caramel popcorn, doughnuts (sugar added), dried figs, pomegranates, mangos, orange chicken (sugar added), soursop, dried goji berries, gelatin dessert (sugar added), granola bar (sugar added), cherimoya fruit, soup (sugar added), marmalade, waffles (sugar added), French toast (sugar added), persimmons, sweet rolls (sugar added), watermelon, fruit leather, bananas, dried peaches, pancakes (sugar added), General Tso's chicken (sugar added), sweet and sour chicken (sugar added), cookies (sugar added), passion-fruit, breadfruit, barbecue sauce (sugar added), jellies (sugar added), brownies (sugar added), carob flour, hearts of palm (not canned), sweet and sour pork (sugar added), protein bar (sugar added), and bread (sugar added).