Has sugar gotten a bad rap, or is sugar really the cause of America’s health problems? Well, both. It is true that our bodies need glucose, a type of sugar, for energy. But, an endless supply of studies support sugar’s role in obesity, type 2 diabetes, dental decay, and heart disease. The true problem facing America isn’t that we eat sugar, it’s that we eat too much sugar.

Sugar is found in many foods, and has so many names its no wonder we don’t know how much we’re eating! On an ingredients label, it may be labeled as sugar, dextrose, sucrose, corn syrup, honey, maltodextrin, evaporated cane juice, fruit juice concentrate, and the list goes on. Sugar is found in most packaged carbohydrate foods, from candies, ice cream, baked goods, and soda to cereals, crackers, and bread. Most Americans consume a lot of boxed or bagged foods and soda; if we cut out some of these foods and replaced them with more natural, nutritious options, the amount of sugar in our diets would be cut dramatically.

The truth is, there are a few places in my diet that I simply cannot live without a spoonful of sugar, such as in my morning java. And, just like everyone else, now and then I need a sweet treat. But, there is a better substitution to satisfy my sweet tooth: fruit! Fruit is sweet, because it contains some natural sugar, but fruit also supplies vitamins, minerals, and fiber that may actually help you feel satisfied within fewer calories. Try swapping fruit, such as your favorite pear variety, for processed snack foods. You can also add fruit to cereals and desserts to cut the sugar. Need some ideas? Check out the recipes at usapears.org to get started!