There's Probably Mold in Your Cereal

Because most packaged foods contain some kind of added sugar, the sweet stuff is nearly impossible to avoid.

In the short term, sugary foods can send you on an energy roller coaster that ultimately leaves you feeling sluggish and starving. Over time, a chronically high-sugar diet can trigger inflammation and related health issues ranging from weight gain to heart disease, dementia, diabetes, and cancer. It's why the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committeerecommends eating no more than 10 percent of your daily calories (i.e., 12 teaspoons or 48 grams of sugar) from added sugar each day.

But "sugar itself isn't an inherent evil," says Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, a San Diego-based registered dietitian and the author of The SuperFoodsRx Diet. Wholesome foods that contain natural sugars often contain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients (like protein and fiber) too. Those foods, while sweet, nourish your body and provide sustainable fuel.