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Is sugar always bad for us?
No, certainly not all sugars are bad. We actually need sugars to function well, but they should come from a good source.
As a consumer, it can be really confusing to find your way through the different sugar claims you come across on packaging.
We want to bring clarity and help you navigate the 3 main claims, so that you as a consumer can make a well-informed choice and know exactly what you're choosing.
"No sugars"
When a product "no sugars’ contains, you can be sure that this product contains no more than 0.5 grams of sugar per 100 grams or 100 ml. This rule is also laid down by law.
"No added sugars"
The claim "no added sugars" on the other hand means that the product contains no added sugars or mono- or disaccharides contains. These products can still contain sugary ingredients such as honey or rice syrup, and even though these are natural sugars, it's still best to enjoy them in moderation.
"No refined sugars"
When you read on a product that it contains no refined sugars, it means no refined sugars, such as crystal sugar, were added to the product, which is a good thing. We're happy to explain in more detail what these refined sugars actually are, what they do to your body, and why it's best to avoid them.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at the claim "no refined sugars" on the nutrition label. Want to know more about the other 2 claims? Be sure to read our articles on "no added sugars" and "no sugars".
What are refined sugars?
Refined sugars are sugars that are "purified" in a factory. The juice from, for example, sugar beets is industrially purified in this process and stripped of all sorts of substances until white sugar remains as the end product. Manufacturers do this mainly to make the sugar white, give it a neutral taste, and achieve a longer shelf life.
So white sugar no longer contains any nutrients, leaving only empty calories.
What's more, sugar - especially refined sugar - has an addictive effect on your body. Sugar gives your body a kind of kick and triggers the reward system in your brain, making you crave more and more of it.
Because refined sugars hide under many names in most of our foods, it's not easy to limit your sugar intake when eating processed food.
That's why the claim no refined sugarhelp you choose a snack or product without refined sugars. This way, you can avoid those dreaded sugar highs & lows and feel fuller for longer, with enough energy spread throughout the day thanks to real, satisfying nutrients and complex carbohydrates.
Time to go wild?
Does this mean you can enjoy unlimited amounts when your snack doesn't contain refined sugars? No. Sugar is sugar, and even naturally occurring sugars shouldn't be overdone. How much you can snack per day depends on several factors. Just use your common sense and enjoy your more nutritious break.