Sugar terminology
Below is a table of definitions for the most commonly used terms when discussing sugars and carbohydrates
Glossary
Term | Definition |
Added sugar | Sugar that is added to food during manufacture, processing, cooking or at the table. |
Free sugar | Defined by the World Health Organisation as all monosaccharides and disaccharides added to foods by the manufacturer, cook or consumer plus any sugars naturally present in honey, syrups and fruit juices. |
Total sugar | A measure of all naturally occurring sugars and sugars added to a food product. Measured using laboratory methods. |
Monosaccharide | A single sugar unit, otherwise known as a monomer. Glucose, fructose and galatose are examples. |
Disaccharide | Two single 'sugar' monomers covalently bonded. Sucrose and lactose and the most commonly known. |
Polysaccharide | Many sugar units joined together. |