Red with red meat, white with chicken and fish, right? It’s not that simple or limiting anymore when it comes to pairing wine and food.

Sure, there’s lot to consider when it comes to selecting the best wine to complement your food: Weight, texture, acidity, flavor, the flavor’s intensity. After some research and experimenting, I came up with some yummy pairings as a quick reference guide.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Lamb
The fats and protein in lamb neutralize the tannins in Cabernet Sauvignon to bring out its fruity taste. Try the Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon from Mad Wine with this delectable grilled leg of lamb recipe from Epicurious.

Chardonnay and Roasted Chicken
This full-flavored, complex wine complements the taste of roasted chicken. Pair the Sterling Organic Chardonnay from Wine.com with this roast chicken recipe from Epicurious.

Chianti and Lasagna
This wine’s bright acidity pairs well with the acidity of the tomato sauce in lasagna. Check out this eco-friendly vegetable lasagna recipe from Organic Food, and pair it with the Casina di Cornia Chianti Classico from the Organic Wine Company.

Merlot and Mushrooms
Soft and velvety, Merlot is less tannic than wines like Cabernet and goes well with milder mushroom dishes. This wild mushroom ravioli recipe from Recipe Zaar complements the taste of the Candoni Organic Merlot from Liquor Outlet Wine Cellars.

Chablis and Oysters
Made from grapes grown in limestone-rich soil, the full flavor of Chablis is a great match for the salty, creamy taste of oysters. This oyster stew recipe from Organic Valley is the perfect match for the Brocard Chablis Organic from O’Brien’s Wine.

Pinot Noir and Salmon
This medium-bodied wine enhances the distinct flavor of salmon. The Frey Vineyards Organic Pinot Noir from Ancona’s Wines and Liquors and this seared wild salmon recipe from Epicurious go especially well together.

Port and Dark Chocolate
The bitterness of dark chocolate tames the tannins in Port. Pair this fair trade, organic smooth dark chocolate from the Chocolate Bar with the Casal dos Jordoes Organic Port from the Organic Wine Company.

Amarone and Parmigiano Reggiano
This bold, elegant red wine and Parmigiano Reggiano are a tasty match. Just stay away from Kraft’s imitation version. This delicious parmigiano reggiano from Purely Organic complements the Ca La Bionda Amarone Ravazzol from Wine Access.

Sauvignon Blanc and Goat Cheese
This crisp, light, refreshing wine won’t overpower the creamy, pungent flavor of goat cheese. This trio of marinated goat cheese recipe from Epicurious and the Sterling Organic Sauvignon Blanc from Wine.com are a match made in heaven.

Sauternes and Creme Brulee
Sauternes adds a hint of fruity flavor to this rich, creamy dessert. This mango creme brulee recipe from Epicurious brings out the hint of apricot in the Chateau La Garenne Sauternes.

Here are some general tips for pairing wine and food:

Do pair white wines and soft cheeses with strong flavor, and pair red wines and hard cheeses with mild flavor.

Don’t pair bold wines like Cabernet Sauvignon with mild dishes because they will overwhelm the food’s flavor.

Do pair light-bodied wines like Pinot Grigio with light-bodied foods and vice versa.

Don’t pair acidic wines like Chianti with rich cream-based sauces.

Do experiment with different pairings and let your taste buds decide which you enjoy most.

For more tips and suggestions: visit Food and Wine Pairing, Drink Wine and Wine Web Central.

Each week here at EcoSalon, the editors choose a post from the archives that we think you’ll love. The original post can be found here.

Images: wine anorak, Victoria Pearson / Epicurious, pmarkham, jules:stonesoup, vino blog, St0rmz, Candoni Wines, polandeze, avlxyz, Finare Vinare, Jeffrey Allen, Palate-To-Pen, Chocolate Reviews, De Kerst pakkettenhal, FotoosVanRobin, TheVineyard, Jill Clardy, cwbuecheler, biskuit and jules:stonesoup.

Main image: byrdiegyrl

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How often do you have to empty the trash cans around your home? If you take a trip outside to the dumpster every couple days, it’s time to examine why your garbage bins fill up so quickly. To cut down the amount of waste you send off to the landfill, here’s a list of things you shouldn’t be throwing away.

Water Bottles

Yes, they can be recycled but, with a water filter on your faucet and a reusable thermos, there’s no need for disposable water bottles. Stopping the bottle habit is one of the best things you can personally do for the environment.

Tissue Boxes

When you go to the store to restock your supply, buy refills for the boxes you already have instead. Better yet, switch to a handkerchief.

Paper Napkins

Cloth napkins are a much better choice in all regards. They’re reusable and much more stylish.

Paper Towels

Bar towels are just as effective as their disposable counterparts. Though washing cloth towels year after year may seem counter-intuitive to eco-friendly folks, in the long run it’s much better for the environment than disposables.

Razor Blades

Buy a razor sharpener to make dull blades like new again. (Whoever invented the idea of throwaway shaving razors has a special place in a melting ice cap.)

Counter Wipes

Your counters will gleam all the same when you clean them with a sponge or rag.

Paper Coffee Cups

When you swing by your favorite café for a steaming cup of joe, bring your own reusable cup. Consider purchasing personalized photo mugs for yourself and your loved ones, and spread the eco-friendly inspiration.

Cotton Balls

There’s nothing a disposable cotton ball can do that a washcloth or reusable make-up applicators can’t.

Plastic Utensils

If you’re going on a picnic, bring along a reusable flatware set.

Paper Plates

Laziness is not a sufficient excuse for using paper plates. So, when you throw a big party, suck it up and wash a massive load of dishes instead. Or, our favorite, put the kids to work!

Plastic Shopping Bags

When you go shopping, bring along a reusable tote to carry your purchases. You’ll look more stylish than you would lugging around flimsy old plastic bags, and you’ll make a non-confrontational eco statement, too.

Dryer Sheets

You can easily make your own reusable dryer sheets and kiss the disposable alternative goodbye.

Printer Cartridges

When you run out of ink, refill your printer cartridges at places like Walgreen’s or CVS instead of throwing them away and buying new ones.

Coffee Filters

Replacing disposable coffee filters with one that’s reusable will cut down your amount of daily waste.

Ziploc Bags

To keep food fresh, rinse out empty containers of cottage cheese or yogurt to store leftovers time and time again.

Swiffer Pads

Convenient? Yes. Eco-friendly? Not by a long shot. So, stick to your old-fashioned mop.

Baby Wipes

Considering how many times you have to wipe your baby’s butt every day, the environment would be better off if you used washcloths instead.

Paper Lunch Bags

Pack your lunch in a reusable bag instead of the more traditional paper alternative.

Plastic Hand Soap Dispensers

Invest in a reusable hand soap dispenser. In addition to giving your bathroom a decorative touch, it’s less expensive to refill them with bulk quantities of liquid hand soap.

Disposable Contact Lenses

As long as you take proper care of your contact lenses and clean them in solution every night, substitute disposables with non-disposables. Instead of tossing a pair after a couple weeks, they can last up to a year.

Each week here at EcoSalon, the editors choose a post from the archives that we think you’ll love. This original post can be found here.

Image: L’Enfant Terrible

The post The Top 20 Things We Throw Away (That We Shouldn’t) appeared first on EcoSalon.

Stuck inside on a rainy, dreary day? Have a hankering to start a new, crafty project? Using random objects and materials from around your home, these fun and eco-friendly DIY projects will cost you little to nothing.

Scrap Paper Notebook

You have a scrap paper galore in the drawer next to your desk, but this clutter is starting to get out of control. No problem! Stack your scrap paper to make all of the edges line up neatly. Punch three holes along the length of the paper an inch from the left margin. (You may want to divide the stack to make this step a little easier.) Cut the front and back sides from a cereal box and punch three holes in each side to align with your stack of scrap paper. You can cover the box panels in anything you like – get creative. Use decorative ribbon to tie together the individual sheet and the cardboard cover.

Portable Scrap Paper Pad

Need something more portable for taking notes on the go? Remove the staple from an empty matchbook and slip out the piece of cardboard that mounted the matches. Measure the matchbook and cut pieces of scrap paper to fit neatly inside. Tuck them underneath the bottom lip and staple them down.

Magazine Envelopes

After flipping through your magazines dozens of times, what else can you do with them? Take apart an envelope to use as a template and trace this outline onto a cover or page of an outdated issue. (If you plan on sending this envelope in the mail, use pages with images instead of copy. This way, the address will stand out more clearly.) Cut along the lines and fold it along the creases that match that of the original envelope. Use non-toxic flue to seal down the flaps.

CD/DVD Coasters

When your favorite tunes or films start skipping too much to enjoy, just turn them into coasters. This one is a cinch. To cover up the images and text with something a little more decorative, trace the outline of the CD/DVD onto contact paper leftover from lining drawers and cut along the lines. Seal it to the surface with non-toxic glue.

Scented Drawer Satchels

Who wears nylons anymore? I know I don’t, but they’re still lurking in the lingerie drawer. But, just because they are no longer wearable doesn’t mean you have to toss them. Cut them up into sections and seal one end with a decorative ribbon. Fill each makeshift pouch with dried herbs, tie the other end shut and put them in your drawers for a fresh fragrance.

Magnetic Dry Erase Board

Measure the outline of a broken CD case and cut a piece of blank white paper down to the same dimensions. Slip it inside and use non-toxic glue to secure the front and back of the CD case together. Secure a magnet to the back and hang it on your refrigerator for quick notes.

Homemade Drip System

Interested in conserving water in your garden? Use a pin to punch tiny holes into a plastic bottle. Shred pieces of scrap fabric and stuff them in through the neck of the bottle. (This absorbent material will cause the water to drain gradually.) Bury the bottle in the soil up to the neck next to plants in your garden, so that it releases water almost directly to the roots. Use a funnel to fill the bottle with water.

Reusable Shopping Tote

Dig through your pajama drawer to find an old, baggy t-shirt. Flip it inside out and remove the sleeves. Cut around the neck hole, making it several inches wider. Stitch the bottom hems of the shirt together. (You may want to sew a reinforcement seam for extra strength.) Flip your new reusable shopping tote right side out and use the sleeve holes as handles.

Tea Tin Candle

Following these steps, turn empty tea tins into decorative soy candles.

Bird Feeder

Rinse out an empty milk carton. Cut out two ample-sized openings on parallel sides and, about an inch below each, poke a hole using the tip of a pencil. Insert a rod through both holes to act as a perch for your feathered friends. Run a wire or string through the top of the carton to hang from a tree branch. To make it a bit more ornamental, embellish the carton with milk paint and secure popsicle sticks on the top slopes with non-toxic glue to look like shingles.

Upcycled Picture Frames

Rinse out some glass jars and completely remove any labels. With the images on the outside, roll up pictures of your friends and family, and insert them upside-down into the openings of the jars. Flip the jars over and display them on tabletops and shelves around your home.

Drawer Dividers

Do you cringe at the thought of organizing your infamous junk drawer? With some homemade cardboard dividers, it’s easy to keep it orderly. Just measure the length, width and height of your drawers. Break down a cardboard box and, based on your measurements, cut enough strips to create as many compartments as you want. Slice a slit halfway through the width of each strip to easily interconnect these pieces.

Bonus idea: taking inspiration from the image at the top of the post, why not spend an hour at the park or in the garden collecting seeds, nuts, flower bulbs, twigs, leaves or other pretty organic items to make a seasonal still life? All you need is a favorite dish or bowl and a spot to place it.

ALSO CHECK OUT:

5 DIY Alternatives to Holiday Gift Wrap

12 DIY Wall Stencils

12 Free Green DIY Projects

12 DIY Projects for a Green Geek

Each week here at EcoSalon, the editors choose posts from the archives that we think you’ll love. This original post can be found here.

Images: Er.We, adiything, ♥ellie♥, thebittenword.com, ***FanchTheSystem!***, How can I recycle this, Mulad, Niffty.., Indie Bands With A Mission, Edgar Zuniga Jnr., sfllaw, Idle Type, Vali….

The post Entertaining and Eco: 12 Free Green DIY Projects appeared first on EcoSalon.

It would be grand to just roll out of bed every morning looking glamorous and fresh, but the truth is that it takes a little work. Here are eight easy and eco-friendly tricks for dealing with some of the most frustrating beauty predicaments without going the high-maintenance route.

Tired Eyes
Everybody knows about sliced cucumbers, but I recently discovered a more effective method. Steep a couple of green tea bags, put them in the refrigerator until they’re cool and place them over your eyes.

Blemishes
Apply a touch of toothpaste overnight and dab blemishes with lemon juice before putting on makeup in the morning.

Oily Skin
If you start your morning off with a hot bowl of oatmeal, this one’s a cinch. Let your leftovers cool, mix in a little bit of honey and apply this homemade mask to your face. Leave it on for five minutes and rinse.

Dull Hair
Next time you pop the bubbly, save a glass of champagne to rinse through your hair for brighter locks.

Bad Breath
Add several drops of lemon juice to that reusable water bottle you carry around all day. When your mouth feels stale, just take a swig and swish. Bad breath bacteria don’t stand a chance against the acid present in lemon juice.

Wet Nails
Who has the time to wait for nail polish to dry, especially after a couple of coats? Dipping them into ice cold water will speed up the process.

Chapped Lips
Lip balm may moisturize, but it doesn’t get rid of dead skin cells. Make your own exfoliating scrub by blending a bit of honey with coffee grounds and massage the mixture onto your lips.

Dandruff
Mix several teaspoons of vinegar with water and massage into your scalp. Wrap your hair in a towel and leave it in your hair overnight. Repeat the process weekly for the best results.

For more beauty suggestions, check out Katherine’s picks for the best organic skin toners, shampoos and sunscreens.

Each week here at EcoSalon, the editors choose a post from the archives that we think you’ll love. This original post can be found here.

Image: clickflashphotos

The post Simple Solutions to 8 Common Beauty Dilemmas appeared first on EcoSalon.

Summer is just around the corner, and you know what that means: Barbeques, flip flops, day trips to the beach, and insufferable heat. Even as the mercury in the thermometer on my back porch rises a little bit every day, I open the windows and resist the urge to turn on the AC. But, the more my home begins to feel like a sauna, the occasional cool breeze doesn’t cut it anymore. Just when the temptation was about to get the better of me, I decided to see what greener alternatives there are for keeping my house cool.

You know that spare set of sheets you keep in the guest room? Soak them in ice cold water, wring them out and hang them in front of open windows. Okay, the decorator in you might object to this method, but the breeze that blows through will feel much cooler, guaranteed. On the same note, hang a clothesline outside and officially retire your dryer.

Face a few of your floor fans towards open windows to force out some of the warm air.

If you have opaque curtains, keep them closed as long as the sun is shining. Better yet, invest in solar screens. They deflect the sun’s rays and keep your home much cooler.

If you have tile or wood floors, remove any rugs.

This one’s pretty obvious for anybody with an ounce of eco-consciousness, but I’ll throw it in for good measure. Turn off electronics when you aren’t using them. Not only do they emit heat, but you’re wasting energy by leaving them on while idle.

Excess humidity is another element that can make a room feel hotter. Check out the best home dehumidifiers to help control excess humidity in your home.

For more useful tips, be sure to check out this article on MSN.

Image: ToastyKen

The post 6 Ways to Keep Your Home Cool Without AC appeared first on EcoSalon.

Spring cleaning. Now, there’s a phrase with some dust on it. When the weather gets warmer and the flowers start to bloom, this is one annual ritual that nobody looks forward to. Besides, why should all of your hard work be hidden behind closet and garage doors? This season, try out a new tradition that celebrates the end of winter in fresh and colorful style: spring redecorating. And, don’t worry about that tight budget. You can do everything from sewing new curtains to painting your walls without burning a hole in your wallet. Here are seven DIY projects to frugally renovate your room:

Make a New Duvet Cover

New bedding is one of the best ways to reinvent your room, but these sets can be pretty pricey. Instead, make your own duvet cover. Before you start, choose your color scheme. As Luanne recently pointed out, raspberry is a popular accent shade this spring, while others include acid green and amethyst.

Once you have some hues in mind, measure your comforter to determine how much fabric you’ll need to buy. You can order organic fabrics online at NearSea Naturals, Organic Cotton Plus and Vreseis for as little as $11 per yard or visit your local fabric store to scour the racks for an even better deal. Then, with thread and needle in hand, follow these easy steps to sew your new duvet cover.

Block Print Fabrics

Look around your room. Are there any boring, solid-colored fabrics hanging from your curtain rods or covering your tabletops? Just invest in some fabric paint and use this easy method of block printing to adorn them with colors and patterns of your choice.

Add Decorative Accents from Nature

Looking to enhance your room with decorative accents? Save yourself a trip to Pier 1. This project won’t cost you a singe penny. Plus, it will give you an excuse to get some fresh air and appreciate the great outdoors. Plan a hike through the woods or along the creek near your home and keep an eye out for potential pieces of décor. From homemade stone cairns to tree branch wall hangings, the possibilities are endless.

Sew New Curtains

You don’t have to be a master seamstress to nail this project. Just follow these simple steps to make your own curtains.

Paint an Accent Wall

Painting your entire room is quite a demanding project to undertake. If you’re short on time, money or both, opt to paint an accent wall instead. Choose a bright or bold shade that complements your room’s color scheme. Then, mix up some homemade non-toxic milk paint and brighten up your room.

Stencil Paint Glass and Mirrors

With this fun DIY project, you can use homemade stencils and the milk paint leftover from your accent wall to adorn your windows and mirrors with vivid colors and artistic patterns.

Reupholster Your Armchair

It’s been a long winter, and your cozy armchair is showing signs of wear and tear from night after night of cuddling up with a good book. With the latest spring trends dominating the pages of your favorite design magazines, it may be tempting to splurge on a new armchair altogether. With the latest trends in mind, reupholster it in spring style by following this guide.

Images: this could be my house, pinprick, sparklerawk, rossinst, Meghan.LaMountain, Decora Espacio, craftzine, quisic

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Remember those commercials aired by the Corn Refiners Association that tried to convince us that high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) isn’t bad for you? It turns out, they may be wrong. It’s all over the blogosphere this week: in the national fight against obesity, high fructose corn syrup is one food ingredient we should possibly be avoiding altogether. The nutrition controversy has raged for years, with one side claiming HFCS contributes to obesity in a way that plain old sugar does not, and the HFCS camp countering that a calorie is a calorie is a calorie. But several recent studies have indicated that this may not be true.

And while you know to pass on the candy bars, even meals like sandwiches and salads may be hiding a serving of high fructose corn syrup behind their healthy image. Check the labels of these typically nutritious foods to play it safe.

Bread

Nothing goes together better than whole grain and high fructose corn syrup. Wait a minute. That’s not right! You mean well, but when you buy a loaf of whole grain bread, you may be getting duped by the manufacturers. While whole grain is stamped on the front in big, bold letters, high fructose corn syrup may be hiding in fine print on the ingredients list. This is a common marketing move, but at least you’ll never fall for it again.

Flavored Yogurt

Key lime pie, blueberry crumble, chocolate raspberry, lemon meringue”¦ It’s hard it is to resist a 100-calorie snack of these mouth-watering flavors, but flavored yogurt is often a source of high fructose corn syrup. According to a carton of Yoplait Blackberry Pomegranate yogurt (that I just threw in the trash), it ranks fourth out of fourteen on the list of ingredients. Just opt for plain yogurt and add some flavor with sliced fruit and cereal…Oops, I spoke too soon.

Cereal

When you decided to take the Special K challenge, you had no idea you were upping your dose of high fructose corn syrup in an attempt to shed a couple extra pounds. This and other seemingly wholesome cereals entice you with nutritious claims that are nothing but smoke and mirrors. Opt for simple, home made granola instead.

Condiments

Backyard BBQ season is just around the corner, so beware of this year’s infamous party crasher: high fructose corn syrup. Ketchup, barbeque sauce and Worcester sauce, just to name a few, contain large amounts of this unhealthy ingredient.

Canned Vegetables

Would it surprise you to know that a can of sliced peaches is chocked full of high fructose corn syrup? Probably not. What if I said the same thing about canned tomatoes, beans or pickles? I, for one, was shocked to learn that this all-too-common processed substance is a leading ingredient in many types of canned vegetables. Opt for fresh and seasonal, or frozen, and when buying canned veggies check the labels.

Salad Dressing

High fructose corn syrup even manages to find its way into your nutritious salads via the dressing. Read the labels to steer clear of this ingredient or concoct your own tasty salad dressing from oil, vinegar and spices to ensure you know exactly what you’re consuming.

Granola Bars

Not only are they packed with sugar, many different kinds of granola bars also contain surprising amounts of high fructose corn syrup.

For more foods with high fructose corn syrup, visit Divine Caroline.

Images: Flickr; Emiline220, Dalboz17, ohdearbarb, atomicShed, LollyKnit, The Gifted Photographer, Stef Noble

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When you became a vegetarian, you quickly learned it wasn’t just about skipping pepperoni on that pizza. You had to start scanning labels for ingredients like capric acid, tallow, rennet, glycerin, whey, suet, stereate and emulsifiers – because eating animal fat by any other name would be just as carnivorous. What you may not know is that plenty of common foods widely considered to be veg-friendly (or perhaps we should say veg-adjacent) actually contain animal fat, not just dairy fat. That means flesh. Read on to learn more.

Ice Cream

Ice cream is the one comfort food that temporarily heals all wounds. Unfortunately, you may be noshing on Bessie under all that chocolate sauce. Many brands of ice cream contain capric acid, a fatty acid that’s obtained from animal fats. Check the label!

Chocolate

I hate to break it to you – I really do – but that chocolate sauce your pour over your sundaes may not be any better than the ice cream underneath it. Emulsifiers are present in chocolate, which may or may not be derived from animal fat. The problem is that most labels don’t specify the difference, so you’re better off sticking to ones that do.

Cheese

Animal rennet is used in the production of many different kinds of cheese. What is animal rennet, you ask? It’s a coagulating enzyme that’s extracted from a freshly-slaughtered calf’s stomach. But, that doesn’t mean you have to struggle through a life without cheese. Just buy vegetarian cheese instead, which substitutes microbial or fungal enzymes for animal rennet.

Pastries

Have you ever seen a pork tart behind the glass at your local café? You might want to take a closer look. Many pastries are prepared using lard, which is rendered fat from a pig’s abdomen or kidneys. Similar baked goods may also contain capric acid.

Chewing Gum

There’s no better way to appease an oral fixation than with a big lump of chewing gum, but gnawing on toothpicks might be a better option for vegetarians. If you see lanolin, stearic acid or glycerin on the label, you may as well snack on a stick of beef jerky. All of these ingredients are made from animal fat.

Potato Chips

Ever wonder why you can’t just eat a handful of potato chips? I used to think it was the salt, until I discovered that many brands are soaked in tallow (fat from membranous tissue in cattle) before hitting the shelves at the grocery store. And, here you thought you were just chomping on some greasy, deep-fried potatoes. I find this to be incredibly unfair.

Hard Candy

Believe it or not, hard candies like these aren’t entirely free of animal products, and many of them contain calcium stereate. This ingredient is actually derived from tallow, better known as animal fat.

For more ingredients you should look out for, click here, here and here.

Image Credits: Flickr: Quintana Roo, anikarenina, ulterior epicure, singleguychef, rhythmjhan, avenueslimited, tamelyn and ginnerobot.

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With all the wine and food pairings I’ve been road testing, I’m on my way to becoming a connoisseur. The only problem? I need some stylish storage for my new hobby, of course!

Released just in time to save them from a life in the pantry, the Riddling Wine Rack from sponsor VivaTerra is at the very top of my wish list (ahem, friends and family). This chic and functional piece of décor is named after a process utilized in the renowned wineries of France. Better known to the French as remuage, riddling is a method in which winery workers frequently turn aging bottles of Champagne stored in similar racks called pulpits. What a perfect piece to spark conversation (and show off your knowledge) at your next wine and cheese party!

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My New Year’s resolution? When the clock struck midnight, I vowed to cut my sugar intake by eliminating sweet treats like cookies, chocolate and soda from my diet.

On the first day of 2010, I ate strawberry yogurt for breakfast, snacked on a granola bar before lunch, sipped on vitamin water and enjoyed a savory serving of pasta for dinner. At the end of the day, I was feeling pretty good about my fresh start. That is, until I read the labels. As it turns out, I had consumed almost 100 grams of sugar (more than twice the recommended daily amount) in this so-called attempt at eating healthier.

This whole debacle prompted me to do some research on sugar-packed snacks that masquerade as health foods. Here are the most deceiving culprits:

Breakfast Bars

Sure, they may have less sugar than a glazed doughnut, but breakfast bars (shown above) aren’t nearly as healthy as you may think. Nature Valley’s Vanilla Yogurt Granola Bars and Nutri-Grain’s Cereal Bars cram 13 grams of sugar into a single serving. Being organic doesn’t make Health Valley’s Cereal Bars any better; they’ll even get you one gram closer to your daily sugar limit.

Vitamin Water

A bottle of vitamin water fuels your body with much more than just a dose of nutrients. That burst of energy you feel upon taking the last sip is just a sugar high in disguise. A 20-ounce bottle of Glaceu’s Vitamin Water or Snapple’s Antioxidant Water contains more than 30 grams of sugar. Take some vitamins and drink a glass of water, instead.

Cereal

Every time you walk down the cereal aisle, you say “no” to Tony the Tiger and refuse to go cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. But even cereals that trade in a colorful mascot for wholesome claims can pack one sugary punch. Take Kellog’s Smart Start Strong Heart cereal. Despite its misleading name, one cup contains a whopping 14 grams of sugar.

Spaghetti Sauce

Just because you don’t taste the sweetness doesn’t mean there isn’t sugar lurking somewhere beneath the maters. Believe it or not, there are 14 grams of sugar in a half-cup of Newman’s Own Tomato and Basil Sauce and Bertolli’s Vineyard Marinara. Mama Mia!

Bran Muffins

You choke down every last bite of a bland bran muffin with your morning coffee and pat yourself on the back for making your fiber quota. Whoa there! Don’t be so quick to equate lack of flavor with nutritional value. There are over 20 grams of sugar in a bran muffin from Starbucks, and those from your local grocer probably aren’t very far behind.

Dried Fruit

Fruit is already naturally sweet, so why would dried fruit contain an excess of added sugar? Don’t turn to logic when debating what snacks to buy; just stick to the facts. There are 26 grams of sugar in a single serving of Ocean Spray’s Craisins and 30 grams of sugar in the same amount of Sun-Maid’s Natural California Raisins.

Juice

Tip of the day: although labels like “all natural” and “100% juice” sound healthy, it would be a wise choice to just ignore them. Despite the wholesome promise of such statements stamped on the carton in big, bold print, a serving of Langer’s Apple Juice contains 26 grams of sugar and the same amount of Minute Maid Orange Juice follows close behind with 24 grams of sugar. You are better off just eating the fruit and sipping water.

Flavored Yogurt

Yogurt is hailed as one of the healthiest foods you can eat. It’s known to boost your metabolism and even improve your immunity. On the other hand, it can also push you over the limit for your daily sugar intake. Just to put it in perspective, a 6-ounce container of Yoplait Strawberry Yogurt is crammed with 27 grams of sugar. Your best bet? Stick to plain yogurt and add slices of fruit for flavor.

Instant Oatmeal

There’s just not enough time in the morning to make it from scratch, it’s so convenient to have each serving prepackaged, it’s much more flavorful than plain oatmeal”¦ Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’ve heard (and used) every excuse in the book. But these justifications still don’t change that fact that a serving of Quaker’s Flavored Instant Oatmeal can contain as much as 14 grams of sugar. If you must do instant, hung for the natural, low sugar options.

Bottled Iced Tea

There are 26 grams of sugar in 8-ounces of Coca-Cola, while the same amount of Snapple Lemon Iced Tea contains 24 grams of sugar. Enough said.

It’s easy to overlook the high amount of sugar in seemingly healthy foods, but a quick visit to Sugar Stacks is sure to set you straight. This eye-opening site feature images of food and beverages with sugar cubes stacked next to them to represent the amount of sugar in each item. For more information, check out Sugar Shockers on Web MD.

Image Credits: Flickr: yujai, graciepoo, Deb’s Designs and Creations, disneymike, erincooks, Yes Becky, Rhadamon, vigilant20, Marni Molina, fred_fred

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