As modern grocery shoppers, we try to be engaged and knowledgeable about nutrition. From salt to sugar, the movement is on to regain control of what we put on the table. But there’s a lot of confusing information to wade through. Studies show that 80% of shoppers come across conflicting nutritional data and 59% doubt the choices they’re making for their families. What consumers aren’t confused about, though, is the need for a healthy change.
American adults consume an average of 17 teaspoons of added sugar every day, more than 2-3 times the recommended amount for men and women respectively. This adds up to around 60 pounds of added sugar consumed annually – that’s six, 10-pound bowling balls, folks! The numbers are even worse for children and young adults aged 2 –19 years who consume 16 teaspoons of added sugar per day. American kids consume 66 grams per day, equaling over 53 pounds of added sugar per year. Where’s all this added sugar coming from?
Beverages are the leading category source of added sugars (47% of all added sugars):
- soft drinks – 25%
- fruit drinks – 11%
- sport/energy drinks – 3%
- coffee/tea – 7%
And, as you might guess, snacks and sweets are the next biggest contributor of added sugars at 31%.
How does the body react to so much sugar?
So, what’s a smart shopper to do? It’s tempting to look to alternative sugars as a magical solution. Products made with honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar or turbinado sugar, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, and dextrose, for example, are perceived as healthier choices. Don’t be fooled. Your body sure isn’t! Too much sugar is too much, no matter the source.
It all comes down to how fast the sugars get absorbed. For example, your body spends more time digesting an apple because of the fiber content, so the natural sugar absorbs more slowly. On the flip side, the added sugar in soda arrives all at once in your system like a sugar bomb. All that extra sugar gets converted to calories much more quickly. Not so good for your system!
If you’re looking for no calories, your best option might be a plant-based sweetener like stevia or monk fruit. These sweeteners are “generally recognized as safe” based on published research, a conclusion which has been reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
AHA Sugar Recommendation
To keep all of this in perspective, it’s helpful to remember the American Heart Association’s recommendations for sugar intake.
- Men should consume no more than 9 teaspoons (36 grams or 150 calories) of added sugar per day.
- For women, the number is lower: 6 teaspoons (25 grams or 100 calories) per day. Consider that one 12-ounce can of soda contains 8 teaspoons (32 grams) of added sugar! There goes your whole day’s allotment in one slurp.
The good news is that the added-sugar message is breaking through, and many American adults crave a change. In fact, research suggests that 77 percent of Americans are striving for less sugar in their diets. And 7 in 10 consumers are willing to give up a favorite sugary product in favor of finding a healthier alternative. The willingness is there. For now, your best defense is education.
Food manufacturers are required to list the amount of added sugars on the Nutrition Facts label by mid 2021 or earlier depending on the size of the company. A recent analysis found that this labeling could potentially prevent nearly 1 million cases of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes over the next two decades. Listing the total amount of added sugars means that consumers will no longer have to search through the many different aliases for added sugars to try and determine how much added sugar a food or drink contains.
So, read those labels carefully and realize that added sugar is added sugar, no matter what sneaky alias it’s using!
FAQs
MD Anderson follows the American Heart Association recommendation that men should consume no more than 36 grams, or 9 teaspoons, of added sugar a day, while women should consume no more than 25 grams, or 6 teaspoons, of added sugar a day. MD Anderson dietitians recommend a diet rich in healthy, nutritious foods.
How much is too much sugar? ›
Adults should have no more than 30g of free sugars a day, (roughly equivalent to 7 sugar cubes). Children aged 7 to 10 should have no more than 24g of free sugars a day (6 sugar cubes).
How much sugar per day is enough? ›
The AHA suggests a stricter added-sugar limit of no more than 100 calories per day (about 6 teaspoons or 24 grams) for most adult women and no more than 150 calories per day (about 9 teaspoons or 36 grams of sugar) for most men.
What is an unsafe amount of sugar? ›
Using an average daily intake of 2,000 calories, you should limit yourself to less than 200 calories from added sugar. That amount translates to 50 grams of sugar, or about 12 teaspoons. But not everyone has a recommended daily intake of 2,000 calories.
Is 100g of sugar too much? ›
100g of sugar may sound like a lot, and for some people this amount may be more than their body can or should handle. For example, if you are consuming 1600 calories per day, then your daily maximum should be 80g of total sugar.
How much sugar level is too much? ›
A blood sugar level less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) is normal. A reading of more than 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) after two hours means you have diabetes. A reading between 140 and 199 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L and 11.0 mmol/L) means you have prediabetes.
Can you live without sugar? ›
The body breaks down carbohydrates to make glucose, which it requires for energy and healthy functioning. Added sugars are sugars in foods that are not naturally occurring. The body requires no added sugars to function properly.
Can you eat fruit on a no sugar diet? ›
Including whole fruits in a no-sugar diet can still be healthful. However, if a person chooses to eat dried fruit, they should do so in moderation and look for varieties without added sugar. Eliminating sugar from the diet is not a complete solution for weight loss.
How much sugar is normal? ›
Normal Results
If you had a fasting blood glucose test, a level of 70 to 99 mg/dL (3.9 and 5.5 mmol/L) is considered normal. If you had a random blood glucose test, a normal result depends on when you last ate. Most of the time, the blood glucose level will be 125 mg/dL (6.9 mmol/L) or lower.
How much sugar is alarming? ›
Your healthcare provider may provide individualized instructions on when to contact the office. If you have two or more unexpected blood sugars over 250 mg/dL, notify your healthcare provider for instructions. Red Flag: Blood sugar is very high and requires immediate treatment.
So is there a definitive answer to which is healthier, honey or sugar? Both should be consumed in limited amounts. Honey may have a slight edge, but excess consumption of either is more dangerous to your health than the advantage of choosing one over the other.
What happens if you eat too much sugar in one sitting? ›
When you eat or drink too much sugar, the extra insulin in your bloodstream can affect your arteries all over your body. It causes their walls to get inflamed, grow thicker than normal and more stiff, this stresses your heart and damages it over time.
How much sugar is safe per day? ›
Men should consume no more than 9 teaspoons (36 grams or 150 calories) of added sugar per day. Women should consume no more than 6 teaspoons (25 grams or 100 calories) per day.
Is sugar in fruit bad for you? ›
The sugar in fruit is not a cause of concern for most people, considering that it's high in fiber and nutrients. But fruit sugar in the form of sweeteners can become problematic if you consume too much of it in processed foods. Aim to eat 2 cups of fruit per day, along with vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fat.
What foods are high in sugar to avoid? ›
Cut out candy, baked goods, and dairy desserts. Opt for water over sugary drinks. A 12-ounce can of regular (non-diet) soda contains about 130 calories and 8 or more teaspoons of sugar. Also, pass on the juice, which is loaded with calories.
How do you flush sugar out of your body? ›
Drink plenty of water
Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar. One study found that people who drink more water lower their risk for developing high blood sugar levels. And remember, water is the best. Sugary drinks elevate blood sugar by raising it even more.
What does 25 grams of sugar a day look like? ›
Well, 25 grams is about 6 teaspoonfuls of sugar and looks like this. Sugar comes in many forms, and the 25 grams adds up fast. Some years ago, musician Tom Lehrer, who is still going at age 95, composed a song in which he sang the full Periodic Table of Elements. He now could do the same with all the hidden sugars.
Is 20 grams of sugar a lot for a diabetic? ›
The American Heart Association recommends 36 grams (9 teaspoons) per day for men or people assigned male at birth (AMAB) and 25 grams (6 teaspoons) per day for women or people assigned female at birth (AFAB). And those recommendations are the same whether you have diabetes or not.
