Foods With Surprisingly High (and Low) Sugar Levels

Issues with oral health can be confusing for people who think that they have a healthy diet. After all, these individuals work hard to avoid foods with high fat and sugar content but still suffer from dental problems. The reason may be that their diet isn’t as healthy as they think.

Many So-Called Health Foods Are High in Sugar 

Healthy foods packed with multiple types of vitamins and minerals aren't always good for a person's oral health. For example, health website Healthline published a list of several healthy foods that are packed full of sugar. Low-fat yogurt was one of the most surprising of these foods. In a single cup of low-fat yogurt, up to 47 grams — or 12 teaspoons — of sugar may be present.

And condiments, like ketchup and barbecue sauce, also make this list. Shockingly, about 40 percent of barbecue sauce is sugar. This level is staggeringly high for those who love eating barbecue chicken wings or other types of grilled meat. On the same note, a tablespoon of ketchup contains a full teaspoon of sugar, an amount that is unusually high for any food.

What about healthy foods like granola, which often include labels declaring it a low-fat food? Granola, a concentrated form of oat fibers, usually contains heavy doses of natural and artificial sweeteners to improve the taste. In a worst-case scenario, 100 grams of granola could have as much as 6 teaspoons of sugar.

These high levels of sugar will affect anyone's oral health, whether they are young or mature. Children who love ketchup on all of their food may compromise their oral health with high levels of sugar. And adults who think that they are watching their waistline by eating low-fat yogurt could trigger the development of cavities.

Snack Foods Low in Sugar 

Though many otherwise healthy foods contain high concentrations of sugar, many delicious foods support a person's dental health. Cooking website Pinch of Yum shared a few of these dessert-like foods, discussing their low levels of sugar and health benefits.

For example, a meal such as peanut butter and banana waffles are low in sugar but high in protein and other types of vitamins. Even better, this dessert's flavor is so nice that toppings such as pancake sauce and butter won't be necessary to make it tasty.

Similarly, lightly salted chunks of dark chocolate contain low sugar and provide nutrients like calcium that help support oral health. Other healthy foods include sugar-free pumpkin granola — which can be baked into bars — cashew coffee, and banana oat muffins.

These simple dishes minimize excessive sugar in a person's diet and provide a surprising level of oral health benefits. For example, pumpkin is high in zinc, which is a mineral that promotes healthy gums.

Just as important, those concerned with their oral health can eat a multitude of sugar-free vegetables, such as spinach and carrots, and receive a similar boost of vitamins and minerals. Carrots and celery, in particular, promote dental health because they naturally clean plaque off the teeth when chewed.

Dentists Can Help Promote Better Oral Health 

Individuals who focus on foods naturally low in sugar not only improve their oral health. Just as important, these changes can also improve a person's diet by forcing them to eat healthier foods packed with fiber, protein, and other bone- and teeth-supporting foods.

So if you experience oral health issues and eat the surprisingly sugar-high foods mentioned in this article, please contact us at Royal Oak Dental today to set an appointment. Our professionals will work hard to get your teeth back into shape.