Is added sugar the same as shown on nutrition labels?

No, added sugar is not the same as the total sugar shown on nutrition labels.

Total sugar includes all sugars naturally present in the food, as well as added sugars.

Added sugars are sugars that are added to foods during processing or preparation. This includes:

* Sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, agave nectar, maple syrup

* Sucrose, fructose, glucose, lactose

* Maltose, dextrose, corn syrup

Here's a breakdown:

* Natural sugars: These are sugars found naturally in foods like fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.

* Added sugars: These are sugars that have been added to foods during processing or preparation.

On nutrition labels:

* "Total sugars" shows the total amount of sugars in the food, including both natural and added sugars.

* "Added sugars" is a separate line on the nutrition label, showing the amount of sugars that have been added to the food.

It's important to distinguish between total sugars and added sugars because:

* Added sugars provide empty calories and contribute to weight gain and other health problems like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and tooth decay.

* Natural sugars are typically part of a healthy diet and provide nutrients and fiber.

Therefore, when checking nutrition labels, pay attention to the "added sugars" line to be aware of the amount of added sugars in a food. Aim to limit your intake of added sugars to keep your diet healthy.