As Americans face an obesity epidemic, studies are coming out which show that there have been ingredients in manufactured foods about which the eater may have no knowledge.

Sugar is hiding in lots of places.

Who would suspect dried, sweetened cranberries could have that much extra sweetener?

From fortune cookies to coffee creamers, the full story lists some of the kinds of food items which have much too much sugar.

“Reduced” calorie salad dressings? Check the label. You will not be happy when you read it.

The story also offers a feature on serving sizes.

U.S. News and World Report

“Added sugars, which are sprinkled on and processed into packaged foods and beverages, have become all too common in the American diet, says the American Heart Association. The group argues that sugar bingeing is helping drive the uptick in metabolic changes in the American population, including the exploding obesity rate, and has now recommended an upper limit on daily consumption. Women should consume no more than 100 calories per day of added sugars, and men should not top 150 calories per day. There goes the soda habit: One 12-ounce can contains about 8 teaspoons or about 33 grams of added sugar, which equals approximately 130 calories, notes the AHA. (One gram of sugar serves up 4 calories, according to the American Dietetic Association.)” (Emphasis added)

Source: U.S. News and World Report, August 25, 2009