As a nutritionist with a focus on dietary sugars, I can provide you with a detailed list of foods that are high in simple sugars, which are also known as monosaccharides and disaccharides. Simple sugars are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and can contribute to a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. Here's a comprehensive look at various food categories and specific items that are high in simple sugars:

Fruits: While fruits are generally healthy and a great source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, they do contain simple sugars. The most common simple sugars found in fruits are fructose and glucose. Some fruits that are particularly high in simple sugars include:
- Apples: High in fructose, apples also contain a good amount of fiber which can help slow down the absorption of sugar.
- Bananas: Rich in glucose, bananas are a popular choice for a quick energy boost.
- Grapes: Packed with both fructose and glucose, grapes are another fruit that's high in simple sugars.
- Oranges: They contain a mix of fructose and glucose, and are also high in vitamin C.

Junk Foods: Junk food is notorious for its high sugar content, often in the form of white table sugar (sucrose), which is a disaccharide that breaks down into glucose and fructose in the body. Some examples include:
- Candy: Hard candies, gummy candies, and chocolate candies are all high in simple sugars.
- Cookies: Many cookies are loaded with sugar, providing a quick source of simple sugars.
- Soft Drinks: Sodas and other sweetened beverages are major contributors to the simple sugar intake in many people's diets.

Dairy Products: While not as high in simple sugars as fruits or junk food, some dairy products do contain lactose, which is a disaccharide that breaks down into glucose and galactose. However, the amount of lactose varies greatly depending on the product:
- Milk: Whole milk contains a moderate amount of lactose.
- Ice Cream: High in both lactose and added sugars, ice cream is a dessert that's particularly high in simple sugars.

Honey: Often considered a natural and healthier alternative to sugar, honey is still high in simple sugars, primarily fructose and glucose. While it does contain some beneficial nutrients and enzymes, it should still be consumed in moderation due to its sugar content.

Other Foods: There are many other foods that contain simple sugars, often in the form of added sugars. These include:
- Baked Goods: Bread, cakes, and pastries often contain added sugars.
- Breakfast Cereals: Many commercial cereals are sweetened with simple sugars.
- Yogurt: Some flavored yogurts can contain a significant amount of added sugars.
- Syrup: Products like maple syrup, agave nectar, and corn syrup are high in simple sugars.

It's important to note that while simple sugars can be part of a balanced diet, consuming them in excess can lead to health issues such as weight gain, tooth decay, and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. It's always best to choose whole foods and natural sources of sugars, and to limit the intake of processed foods and beverages that are high in added sugars.

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List of Foods That Contain Simple SugarsFruit. Fruits contain simple sugars. Photo Credit: Fuse/Fuse/Getty Images. ... Junk Foods. Junk food such as candy usually contains white table sugar. Photo Credit: Purestock/Purestock/Getty Images. ... Dairy Products. Dairy products contain galactose. ... Honey. Honey is thought of as a healthier sweetener than sugar.read more >>