Top 10 Foods Highest in Sugar (To Limit or Avoid)

Sugars are a form of carbohydrate found in a variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables. Since the dawn of agriculture and the industrial age consumption of sugar has increased rapidly, leading to an epidemic of obesity and other illnesses.

Like carbohydrates, excessive consumption of sugars can lead to type II diabetes, and cancer.

High sugar foods to limit or avoid include puddings, milkshakes, ice-cream, fruit juices, sugary soda drinks, cakes (especially with frosting), candies, fruit yogurts, fast foods, cereal bars, and commercial cereals. In this list, both the grams of sugar and teaspoons of sugar are given. 1 teaspoon is equal to 4 grams of sugar.

For more information see the article of high carb foods to limit or avoid, or see the nutrient ranking of 200 foods high in sugar.

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List of Foods High in Sugar

1 Dulce De Leche

151g (37.8 tsp) sugar per cup
32g (7.9 tsp) per 200 calorie serving
Up to 50% sugar

Tapioca Pudding contains 67g of sugar per cup.
Rice Pudding (Arroz Con Leche) contains 43g per serving (~1 cup)
Chocolate Mouse contains 30g per 1/2 cup

Nutrition Facts for Dulce de Leche.

2 Milkshakes (Blended with Candy)

85g (21.2 tsp) sugar per 12oz cup
28g (6.9 tsp) per 200 calorie serving
Up to 24% sugar

McDonald's McFlurry with Oreos contains 71g sugar per 12oz cup.
A medium ice-cream with chocolate topping contains 58g of sugar.
Vanilla ice cream contains 22g per 1/2 cup.

Nutrition Facts for McDONALDS McFLURRY with M&MS CANDIES.

3 Grape Juice

72g (18 tsp) sugar per 16oz glass
47g (11.8 tsp) per 200 calorie serving
Up to 14% sugar

Other Fruit Juices High in Sugar per 16oz Serving

Pomegranate Juice (63g), Naked Mighty Mango (62g), Pineapple Juice (62g), and Apple Juice (48g).

Nutrition Facts for Grape Juice.

4 Sugary Drinks (Cream Soda)

66g (16.4 tsp) sugar per 16oz bottle
52g (13 tsp) per 200 calorie serving
Up to 13% sugar

Other Sodas and Sugar Drinks High in Sugar

Kiwi-Strawberry Drink (55g), Root Beer (52g), Cola (50g), Sprite (44g), Ginger Ale (43g), and Tonic Water (43g).

Nutrition Facts for Cream Soda.

5 Cake with Coconut Frosting

64g (16.1 tsp) sugar per slice
32g (8.1 tsp) per 200 calorie serving
Up to 57% sugar

Cakes, cookies, and pies can vary from 10-65g of sugar per serving, depending on how they are made, and how much sugar is added.
See the complete ranking of 200 baked foods high in sugar.

Nutrition Facts for White Cake with Coconut Frosting.

6 Commercial Candies (Skittles)

47g (11.8 tsp) sugar per 2.1oz bag
38g (9.4 tsp) per 200 calorie serving
Up to 76% sugar

A small 3oz bar of white chocolate contains 50g of sugar.
A 2oz pack of Starburst sour fruit chews contains 33g.
A 2oz Baby Ruth bar contains 32g.
See the full list of high sugar candies and sweets.

Nutrition Facts for Candies MARS SNACKFOOD US SKITTLES Wild Berry Bite Size Candies.

7 Low Fat Fruit Yogurt

47g (11.7 tsp) sugar per cup
37g (9.3 tsp) per 200 calorie serving
Up to 19% sugar

Plain yogurt contains 19g of sugar per cup.

Nutrition Facts for Low Fat Fruit Yogurt (With Vitamin D).

8 Fast Foods (Hot Cakes with Syrup)

45g (11.4 tsp) sugar per 3 pancakes
15g (3.8 tsp) per 200 calorie serving
Up to 21% sugar

More Fast Foods High in Sugar

1 cup of coleslaw contains 23g of sugar.
A egg, cheese, and bacon griddle cake contains 17g.
A Burger King Double Whopper contains 14g.
See all fast foods high in sugar.

Nutrition Facts for McDonalds Pancakes.