Natural Sugars vs. Refined Sugar: Impact on Weight Loss

Question
When trying to lose weight, are natural sugars (from fruit) just as bad as refined sugar?  I make smoothies using frozen strawberries (no sugar added), skim milk and splenda.  I don't put any sugar in it but the strawberries naturally have sugar in them.  Will my body treat this the same way it does refined sugar?

Answer
Hello Joanne!

    Thank you for your nutrition question.  There are no nutritional differences among sugars. The body uses all types in the same way even natural sugar from fruits known as fructose. During digestion, sugars such as fructose  and other carbohydrates such as starches break down into simple (or single) sugars. Simple sugars then travel through the blood stream to body cells. There they provide energy and help form proteins, or are stored for future use as fat.

-George Rapitis, Bsc. Nutritionist