The Food Felons: Fat and Sugar. Which Is Worse for You?

Whether either one should be included in a heart-healthy diet depends on which fats and sugars you choose. Here's what you need to know about both.

Published: May 21, 2019 Updated: February 12, 2020

The concern is primarily with added sugars. These are sugars (usually sucrose) that do not appear naturally in foods, but are added for taste. Sugar is the main attraction in foods such as candy, cookies and ice cream. Sugar also is hidden in unlikely places, including breads, cereals and tomato sauces. This makes it very easy to consume large amounts of sugar unknowingly.