How much sugar is too much, and simple ways to eat less added sugar.
A recent survey suggests that Americans consume 355 calories, or 22 teaspoons, of added sugar a day—much of that comes from soda and packaged foods. And although there isn’t a direct scientific link, it’s likely that the weight gain in our population is related, in part, to our increased intake of added sugars. In 2009, the American Heart Association released a statement on how much sugar to eat (rest assured, a little bit of sugar is OK.)
Here’s what the AHA recommends:
1. No More Than 100 Calories Per Day From Added Sugar
Most women should eat, or drink, no more than 100calories per day from added sugar, about 6 teaspoons. For men the cutoff is 150 calories from added sugars, or about 9 teaspoons. As a point of reference, a 12-ounce can of cola contains approximately 130 calories or about 8 teaspoons of added sugar.
2. The AHA Recommendations Only Apply to Added Sugars
Added sugars—those that are added to food by consumers or added during manufacturing (that means the sugar added to your crackers, cereal and other packaged foods counts). The naturally occurring sugar in fruit, vegetables, grains and dairy doesn’t count.
1. Have Fruit for Dessert
Skip the cookies and ice cream and make fruit into your after-dinner treat. You’ll avoid added sugar and get some cancer-fighting antioxidants and fiber from the fruit.
2. Drink Smarter
Ditch soda and instead treat yourself to a low-calorie fizzy fruit-flavored seltzer drink using no-sugar-added 100 percent fruit juice.
3. Make Your Own Yogurt Parfait
Flavored yogurt (even vanilla) contains added sugars. Instead, make your own custom concoction by topping low-fat plain yogurt with fresh fruit.
