High blood sugar can be caused by many factors, including stress, lack of sleep, and what you eat in your diet. When it comes to trying to maintain your blood sugar levels, added sugars it can be one of the most problematic ingredients in food, and in excess it can even lead to chronic diseases like diabetes. However, you may not always be aware of all foods that contain added sugars or even that you are eating them. Drink condiments, for example, may seem like harmless add-ons to meals that do nothing more than give food a hint of flavor to help it taste better. But some condiments may be masking harmful ingredients that are hurting your blood sugar more than you think.
“As with most packaged goods, seemingly innocent everyday condiments can contain hidden sources of sugar,” he explains. Laura Burak MS, RDfounder of Undress® Nutritionand author of lose weight with smoothies. “So my first tip when perusing grocery aisles is to look at the ingredients first and start recognizing words like ‘syrup,’ ‘dextrose,’ and ‘molasses,’ so you’re more informed of what you’re buying and consuming.”
Burak also suggests thinking of the word “seasoning” for simply what it is: a food enhancer. As such, you don’t want to overpower your plate with a host of condiments that pale in comparison to the nutritional value of other major foods.
“Rather than pouring excess sugar and salt into your food, seasonings are a great way to enhance the flavor of your food and include healthier foods like vegetables in your diet,” says Burak. “But remember: a little goes a long way.”
Read on to see what Burak thinks are the worst condiments for your blood sugar, and shares his tips on how you can make better choices. So be sure to check out 4 best foods for high blood sugar.
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1
Ketchup
“Most tomato sauces on the market contain added sugar, usually in the form of high-fructose corn syrup,” explains Burak.
Eating too much high fructose corn syrup is known to lead to various health problems, including obesity, insulin resistance, and even diabetes.
“So be careful about sugar sources and look at grams per serving to make a better choice when it comes to choosing tomato sauce,” says Burak.
In addition, today there are many low-sugar foods tomato sauces on the market to choose from, so try swapping your typical ketchup option for a more blood sugar friendly option.
two
honey mustard
Despite honey alone may provide certain health benefits, yet contains a lot of sugar. To add insult to injury, the least organic condiment, honey mustard, doesn’t have the same positive effects that honey might have on its own.
“Honey is a ‘natural’ sugar, but it’s still simple sugar,” explains Burak. “Your body will interpret it exactly the same way as table sugar. So even though the word [‘honey mustard’] can make it sound healthier on the label, be careful with the word ‘honey’ when used in condiments. It’s just another way of adding pure sugar to food.”
Instead, Burak recommends looking for mustards that don’t contain added sugar. If he still wants that sweet honey flavor, he can always add a touch of his own honey at home and monitor exactly how much extra sugar is added when making his own homemade version of honey mustard.
3
Salad dressing
Do you know someone who likes to bring their own bottle of homemade salad dressing and even takes it to restaurants? Although it may seem extreme to some, perhaps they are right. While salad dressings can liven up a bowl of fresh greens, store-bought bottled dressings can be highly processed and contain a lot of additives and sugars. So dipping your salad in certain brands of store-bought dressings can detract from a once-healthy meal.
“We need to start savoring our food again in its basic form without the need to douse everything in dressings and sauces, aka excess sugar and salt,” advises Burak.
After reading the nutrition facts for store-bought salad dressings, you may find that the little extra effort it takes to make your own twist on classic dressings like ranch or green goddess is more than worth it in the long run. term. Taking a DIY approach to salad dressings means saving yourself from excess ingredients that can negatively affect your blood sugar.
Those who currently bring their own dressings to the party are already doing themselves a favor. Instead of estimating how much dressing has already been used, they have more oversight and control of dressing portions.
“There’s a reason I suggest asking for dressing on the side when you eat at a restaurant,” says Burak. “The chef will use much more than you.”
RELATED: The Worst Salad Dressings on Store Shelves
4
teriyaki sauce
You may have had teriyaki sauce on your Japanese takeout, or seen it smeared on your meat while sitting front row for a hibachi dinner. No matter when you cook with this delicious sauce, the temptation to pour teriyaki over your vegetables and meats is sure to be great. And while no one would blame him, there’s a reason this savory, gooey cooking staple seems sweet: It’s because it is.
“Bottled teriyaki sauce usually contains added sugar to give it that syrupy flavor and thickness,” says Burak.
In addition to the added sugar content, store-bought teriyaki sauce can also contain additives, such as cornstarch and high-fructose corn syrup, which can negatively affect blood sugar levels.
“Just be sure to use some when you make your next stir-fry,” Burak suggests.
