Any sweetener label can hide sugar behind 60+ names such as dextrose, maltose, and sucrose, so learning to read ingredient lists helps you spot added sugars.
Decoding Sweetener Labels
Sugar hides behind 60+ different names on ingredient labels. Here's how to become a label-reading expert.
Common Sugar Aliases
Obvious Names
- Sugar, cane sugar, brown sugar
- High fructose corn syrup
- Honey, maple syrup, agave
Sneaky Names
- Dextrose, maltose, sucrose
- Rice syrup, barley malt
- Fruit juice concentrate
- "Evaporated cane juice"
Reading Nutrition Facts
Total Carbohydrates
Includes all carbs, including fiber and sugar alcohols
Sugar Alcohols
Listed separately—most don't affect blood sugar significantly
Added Sugars
New FDA requirement shows sugars added during processing
