It says no added sugar but on the back it shows that there is sugar why is this?

johnnyr24
johnnyr24 Posts: 90 Member
edited November 13 in Food and Nutrition
I guess I am confused on being able to read the labels on things. I went to the grocery store today and saw one of those Naked fruit smoothies in the fridge section of the store. Now the front of the label says "no added sugar" but when I read the back it says right there "sugars: 26 g" so that would tell me that there are 26 grams of sugar in the drink even though the label specifically says no added sugar right on the front.

How does that work? Why would it say no added sugar if the back label where the nutrition facts are it says there is sugar? I can't imagine that it was a printing mistake on the label since I checked other bottles and other types of smoothies from the same brand and they all had the same no added sugar on the label. Sorry I'm not very good at this label reading and nutrition stuff.

Replies

  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    No added sugar means they did not put sugar into it. That doesn't account for the sugars in the fruit and other ingredients.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    They did not claim it was sugar free just that they did not add sugar to it.
    Fruit, vegetables and dairy naturally have sugars.
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    Fruit has sugar. Lots of sugar.
    Example:
    100g of Banana has 12g sugar.
    Naked Fruit Smoothies have fruit in them and as such, they have sugar.
    The company is claiming they didn't add any extra sugar. They never said it was "sugar free". It's not uncommon for companies to put add sugar to fruit drinks on top of what is naturally in them from the fruit alone. This company is making the claim that the only sugar in it is the naturally occurring sugar from the fruits.
  • johnnyr24
    johnnyr24 Posts: 90 Member
    edited March 2015
    I guess I was confusing sugar free from no added sugar. I just always thought both terms meant the same thing. The question is would these smoothies be good for a diet? Or would you say that 26 grams is too much sugar? I didn't want to buy it because I wasn't sure how much sugar is too much when it comes to a diet and weight loss and such.
  • hollyrayburn
    hollyrayburn Posts: 905 Member
    Are you diabetic? If not, dont sweat it
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,347 Member
    No added sugar means jack all when the base ingredients already contain a heap of sugar. It just means they didn't pour more in.

    Is it good for a diet? If you like it, it satisfies you and it fits your calories, it's fine. Smoothies can be a bit of a calorie bomb though, so consider if there is something else that would satisfy you more.
  • johnnyr24
    johnnyr24 Posts: 90 Member
    hollyrayburn wrote: »
    Are you diabetic? If not, dont sweat it
    Yes I am type 2. So I have to watch everything that I eat and I have to check my blood sugar levels a minimum of 2x a day.
  • johnnyr24
    johnnyr24 Posts: 90 Member
    Thank you all for the replies at least now I know. Well I should have mentioned that I am diabetic so I am going to guess that this might not be the best option for me if only I could find an alternative that works and is healthier.
  • My_Butt
    My_Butt Posts: 2,300 Member
    johnnyr24 wrote: »
    I guess I was confusing sugar free from no added sugar. I just always thought both terms meant the same thing. The question is would these smoothies be good for a diet? Or would you say that 26 grams is too much sugar? I didn't want to buy it because I wasn't sure how much sugar is too much when it comes to a diet and weight loss and such.

    I did a month to see how these drinks worked in a little study, and they don't aid in losing weight at all. Most taste odd, and your mouth still wants to eat something, not drink it. The calories are pretty high too.
    Skip the expensive naked drinks and just eat the fruit. You'll feel fuller.
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,347 Member
    What do you mean works? If you explain exactly what you're after, people may be able to give suggestions.

    There's nothing intrinsically healthy about a smoothie, in fact that can be high calorie, low satisfaction drinks with the benefit of fibre removed.
  • sympha01
    sympha01 Posts: 942 Member
    You probably have access to a dietician then? I'd stick to their professional advice regarding fruit and fruit juice rather than asking random folks on the internet.

    Speaking as random folks on the internet myself, drinking smoothies sounds sketchy if you are diabetic, but for health reasons. Not for diet or weight loss reasons. Food and calories are food and calories for weight loss.

    Also, ask your dietician for guidance on how to read food labels. That's something you're going to have to learn if you have diabetes.
  • EricMurano
    EricMurano Posts: 825 Member
    Never bother with the front of the packaging. Just go off the nutritional information on the back. If it fits your needs and goals then that's all that matters.

    Even if there were added sugar I believe it doesn't matter, as long as the nutritional profile of the food is what you're after.
  • meganjcallaghan
    meganjcallaghan Posts: 949 Member
    edited March 2015
    it's only an issue if you're diabetic or have other insulin resistance issues. If you do, fruit that hasn't been blended would be a better choice since it's the fiber in a fruit that mitigates blood sugar spikes, but it's been so broken down when blended that it's not really helping in that regard anymore.
  • hollyrayburn
    hollyrayburn Posts: 905 Member
    I know for someone who is IDDM, half a serving of fruit is the same as a "whole" serving, due to sugar content.

    Do you have an endocrinologist? I'd discuss this with them.
  • MomTo3Lovez
    MomTo3Lovez Posts: 800 Member
    johnnyr24 wrote: »
    hollyrayburn wrote: »
    Are you diabetic? If not, dont sweat it
    Yes I am type 2. So I have to watch everything that I eat and I have to check my blood sugar levels a minimum of 2x a day.


    I wouldn't go drinking them all the time but every once in a while should be ok I would think...but I'm not a doctor...my mom is a diabetic and she basically knows whether or not something doesn't work for her but what her sugar levels are after eating something.
  • ahamm002
    ahamm002 Posts: 1,690 Member
    johnnyr24 wrote: »
    Thank you all for the replies at least now I know. Well I should have mentioned that I am diabetic so I am going to guess that this might not be the best option for me if only I could find an alternative that works and is healthier.

    How about solid food? If you're diabetic it's a good idea not to drink your calories.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    johnnyr24 wrote: »
    I guess I was confusing sugar free from no added sugar. I just always thought both terms meant the same thing. The question is would these smoothies be good for a diet? Or would you say that 26 grams is too much sugar? I didn't want to buy it because I wasn't sure how much sugar is too much when it comes to a diet and weight loss and such.

    What purpose do you have for wanting to drink something like this? Is it just for flavor or something else?
    I drink mostly water or unsweetened tea and get my calories from food instead of drinks.
  • darrenajacob
    darrenajacob Posts: 1
    meganjcallaghan wrote: »
    it's only an issue if you're diabetic or have other insulin resistance issues. If you do, fruit that hasn't been blended would be a better choice since it's the fiber in a fruit that mitigates blood sugar spikes, but it's been so broken down when blended that it's not really helping in that regard anymore.

    Interesting.

    If I blend into a smoothie some raw fruit and vegetables (unpeeled, e.g apples, cucumbers) are you suggesting that the fibre therein is less effective at regulating sugar and maintaining a healthy bowel?
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    johnnyr24 wrote: »
    Thank you all for the replies at least now I know. Well I should have mentioned that I am diabetic so I am going to guess that this might not be the best option for me if only I could find an alternative that works and is healthier.

    You should be looking at carbohydrates if you're diabetic as the starches will turn to blood glucose too.

    Initial blood glucose response to fruit and fruit juice is practically identical.

  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    As a diabetic you have probably been told to watch your carbohydrates. When you look at a label first you would need to look at total carbohydrates, and only after that look at sugar (the less the better since sugar is quickly absorbed and would cause blood sugar spikes)

    Generally, type 2 diabetics are allowed about 45 grams of carbohydrates per meal to a maximum of 60 and about 15 grams for snacks. Your personal numbers may very well be be different, so I suggest you discuss that with your doctor and ask them for a referral to a dietitian that specializes in diabetic nutrition. They would help you formulate a suitable weight loss plan.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    johnnyr24 wrote: »
    I guess I was confusing sugar free from no added sugar. I just always thought both terms meant the same thing. The question is would these smoothies be good for a diet? Or would you say that 26 grams is too much sugar? I didn't want to buy it because I wasn't sure how much sugar is too much when it comes to a diet and weight loss and such.
    The Naked Fruit drinks are deceptively packaged ---- mostly made up of apple juice with a little bit of natural coloring /flavoring to make you think you are getting something interesting and substantial. First of all, buy the apple juice on its own and save some money. Or by a Peppermint Patty for the same amount of sugar as the Naked Fruit.

    Seriously though, it is ok not to know everything in the beginning. :D
    If you want snacks without much sugar, find foods with protein and fat like nuts, stick cheese, sliced ham or other cold cuts, or stuff like bagged baby carrots and other precut veggies in the produce aisle. :mrgreen:
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
    What I hate is when they say sugar-free and there is asparteme or Splenda in it. I guess I have to specify un-sweetened.
  • CObluegrass
    CObluegrass Posts: 61 Member
    I'd rather just eat a piece of fruit than drink it in a smoothie. If I'm going to drink my calories, I'd rather have beer, wine or a cocktail.
  • liekewheeless
    liekewheeless Posts: 416 Member
    Fruit juices, unless you are experiencing LOW blood sugar, are not a great idea for diabetics. Different typs of carbs are processed differently. Sugar will give you a spike, exactly what you want to avoid as a diabetic.

    This all of course depends on how bad your diabetes is.
    I would personally stay away from juice.


  • HeySwoleSister
    HeySwoleSister Posts: 1,938 Member
    47Jacqueline wrote: »
    What I hate is when they say sugar-free and there is asparteme or Splenda in it. I guess I have to specify un-sweetened.

    UGH, so much THIS! I have thought I was buying a lightly flavored seltzer and gotten a mouthful of that bitter nastiness. YUCK.

    OP, you really need to meet with an RD (Registered Dietician), preferably one who specializes in Type 2 Diabetes. (Professional terminology will likely be different outside the US) Knowledge and informed choices are your best tools for getting into remission.

    In the meantime, I personally would recommend drinking only water or unsweetened tea and/or coffee, and getting yoru sugars and carbohydrates from your food. I'm not an expert in diabetes, but from friends and family I understand that drinking ones carbs is a really difficult game when managing Type 2 diabetes. If you get your sugars from whole fruit (just one example) instead, the fiber will give your pancreas a fighting chance in digesting it.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    johnnyr24 wrote: »
    Thank you all for the replies at least now I know. Well I should have mentioned that I am diabetic so I am going to guess that this might not be the best option for me if only I could find an alternative that works and is healthier.

    yeah things to learn about forums.

    If you ask a question- and you have a medical condition- you need to be clear about that up front. You get better answers that are more to the point and it doesn't waste your time or ours.

    just a friendly reminder :)

    also sugar free =/= no sugar added.

    in case it needed repeating.
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