What are the common Indian foods that contain hidden sugars?

According to Dr. Saptarshi Bhattacharya, many popular breakfast items, snacks, Indian gravies, and even drinks like bottled juices and milkshakes can have high amounts of added sugar.

How can hidden sugars in Indian foods impact health?

Consuming excess hidden sugars can lead to rapid blood glucose spikes, insulin resistance, and long-term issues like type 2 diabetes, weight gain, heart disease, and inflammation.

What tips does Dr. Bhattacharya provide to reduce hidden sugar intake?

He recommends reading food labels, limiting sweetened beverages, cooking at home, and balancing carb-heavy meals with fiber and protein.

Home / Health / Beware the Hidden Sugars Lurking in Your Everyday Indian Meals

Beware the Hidden Sugars Lurking in Your Everyday Indian Meals

16 Nov

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Summary

Many common Indian foods contain more sugar than we realize
Hidden sugars can lead to sudden spikes and long-term health risks
Experts recommend reading labels, limiting sweetened drinks, and cooking at home

Beware the Hidden Sugars Lurking in Your Everyday Indian Meals

As of 2025-11-16T12:37:38+00:00, experts are sounding the alarm on the hidden sugar content in many common Indian foods. According to Dr. Saptarshi Bhattacharya, a senior consultant in endocrinology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, sugar is not just found in desserts, but quietly lurks in everyday breakfast items, snacks, Indian gravies, and even drinks.

Bhattacharya explains that popular choices like sweetened chai, flavored cornflakes, and packaged chutneys can add 3-5 teaspoons of sugar to your morning meal. Snacks like namkeens, biscuits, and bakery items often contain refined sugar, while restaurant curries and sauces use ingredients like ketchup and sweetened pastes that add hidden sugar. Even seemingly healthy options like bottled juices, milkshakes, and flavored milk can pack 5-8 teaspoons of sugar per serving.