8 Restaurant Dishes Ranked by Hidden Sugar Content

Top 8 Restaurant Dishes That Conceal Excessive Sugar Content Eating out while maintaining health goals can be challenging, especially when many menu items contain hidden sugars you might not expect. While desserts and sodas are commonly associated with added sugar, numerous savory dishes and seemingly healthy options often harbor surprising amounts of sweetness—hidden in sauces, dressings, and breaded ingredients. To shed light on this issue, nutrition expert Mary Sabat MS, RDN, LD, who also works as a personal trainer, ranked eight popular restaurant meals from least to most sugary. Glazed Chicken or Salmon Although opting for grilled or glazed fish or chicken seems healthy, these dishes often feature sauces made with honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, or fruit reductions—concentrated sources of added sugar. Depending on portion size and sauce quantity, sugar levels can range from 15 to 35 grams, sometimes exceeding the sugar content of a frosted donut. Oatmeal with Toppings While oatmeal is a nutritious breakfast staple, adding sweetened dried fruits, flavored nuts, syrups, or brown sugar can quickly turn it into a sugar-laden meal. A typical serving from cafes or fast-food chain...