According to the University of California Sugar Science Team, added sugar is hiding in 74% of packaged foods sold in grocery stores.

No wonder Americans end up eating around 57 pounds of added sugar annually — and then can't figure out why they're prediabetic, gaining weight, or have gastrointestinal woes.

It's obvious you're getting sugar with that syrup on your pancakes, in the soda you're drinking, and in the baked goods you have for dessert. But I bet you're not thinking about sugar when you have that power or protein bar to fuel your workout, enjoy what you think of as a healthy yogurt, or put dressing on your salad.

Those are the kinds of hiding places you have to look out for by reading ingredient labels. If you see any ingredients ending in "ose" — such as glucose, fructose, lactose, maltose, dextrose, or sucrose — avoid those foods.

In addition, be alert to all syrups (corn, fructose, rice), molasses, juice, caramel, honey, and agave.

For a sweet treat, choose a whole fresh fruit, or enjoy cereals with 100% whole grains and no added sugar of any kind (raisins and dried cranberries included).

You can also opt for plain yogurt with fresh fruit added. Or try baked apples with oat and almond crumble.

To learn more about the dangers of consuming added sugars and syrups, check out my book "What to Eat When."