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CLEVELAND - The next time you go to buy something that claims to have ‘no added sugar’, you may want to double check the nutrition label.
As Kristin Kirkpatrick, RD, registered dietitian with Cleveland Clinic explains, the food may still contain sugar, but it’s listed under a different name.
“You could have sugar added in in the form of dates, you could have it added in in the form of maple syrups, so it’s not to vilify dates or maple syrups, or anything like that,” said Kirkpatrick. “It’s just that what we need to look at when we’re trying to assess the impact of our blood sugar and our insulin, is whether or not something will make our blood sugar or insulin increase.”
Kirkpatrick said consuming too much sugar can lead to weight gain, put you at risk for Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other health issues.
So, how can you tell if sugar is hidden in a product?
It’s not always easy, but the label could include ingredients like fructose, sucrose, dextrose, fruit juice concentrate, beet sugar, and rice syrup.
If you’re ever unsure, you could double check online.
Kirkpatrick said it’s important to note that not all food that contains sugar is bad for you, like fruit.
Fruit also contains fiber, which makes a big difference.
“When you are going to have a source with something that has sugar in it, is there fiber attached to it in some capacity? The more fiber, the less impact on our insulin and our blood sugar,” she explained.
If you’re having trouble keeping your diet under control or need advice on healthier foods to eat, it’s best to consult with a dietitian.
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation, Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 83,000 employees worldwide are more than 6,600 salaried physicians and researchers, and 21,900 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,725-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 300 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2025, there were 15.9 million outpatient encounters, 343,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 336,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at x.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources are available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
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