Why We Commit to No Added Sugar
October is one of the sweetest months of the year. Candy bowls show up at the office, pumpkin spice lattes return, and there’s no shortage of caramel-coated everything. And honestly—that’s all part of the fun, hey, everyone totally deserves a treat now and then!
But here’s the thing: sugar sneaks into far more than just Halloween candy. It hides in places you wouldn’t expect, and manufacturers get pretty creative with the names they use. Brown rice syrup. Evaporated cane juice. Fruit juice concentrate. Dextrose. The list goes on (and on).
Why all the disguises? Because sugar is cheap, it makes food craveable, and it keeps people coming back for more. For them, it’s a win-win. For you, not so much.
When Sugar Makes Sense (and When It Doesn’t)
Some foods need a touch of sugar to be enjoyable. Take cranberries—they’re naturally so tart that without a little sweetness, most of us wouldn’t eat them. That makes sense.
But then there are mangoes. Perfectly sweet on their own, yet many brands still add sugar. Why? Not for your benefit—for theirs, to hook consumers to come back for more and more. That’s exactly why Earth Wake makes a no-compromise promise: you will never find added sugar in any of our dried fruits. Not now, not ever.
How to Spot It
The best way to know what you’re eating is simple: flip the package over. If sugar shows up as one of the first ingredients, that means the product is built on sugar—not the food itself.
Always ask why. Why is sugar the first thing listed? Why is it disguised under three different names? If you can’t answer that, maybe it doesn’t belong in your cart.
Balance in a Sweet Season
This season is full of sugar—and that’s okay. But balance and intention matters, too. The good news? There are better options out there now. Real fruit without the extra sugar. Cleaner candy made with intention. Choices that satisfy without the crash.
Because let’s be honest: no one’s trading a chocolate bar for a bag of prunes. But swapping in a healthier candy, or dried fruit that isn’t loaded with added sugar? That’s a real option!
Stay Awake With Us
At Earth Wake, we believe food should be honest. If sugar doesn’t belong, we leave it out. Every time.
So as you move through this sweet season, enjoy the candy. Enjoy the celebrations. Just remember to stay awake to your choices. Ask why. And know that we’re right here, committed to keeping it real, with a healthy treat ready and waiting for you!
Stay balanced. Stay curious. Stay awake.
—The Earth Wake Team 🌎