You’ve probably heard by now that Americans are consuming too much sugar. While it’s true we need sugar; we are eating excessive amounts which is negatively affecting our health. The average American is consuming nearly 66 pounds of sugar every year!
Did you know the recommended intake is no more than six teaspoons (25 grams) of added sugar per day for women, and nine teaspoons (38 grams) for men? Unfortunately, the average American consumes 20 teaspoons every day!
The only way to determine how much sugar you’re getting is by looking at food labels. Ideally, you should be looking for items with less than 5g per 100g.
So where is all this sugar coming from? What do you drink in a typical day? Beverages are the single largest source of added sugar in a typical diet. Soda, energy drinks, sports drinks, sweetened coffee drinks, and even juices with added sugar contribute to 36% of the added sugar in the diet. It’s so much easier to overdo it on the sugar intake when it's in liquid form.
“Moderation is the key to lasting enjoyment.” -Hosea Ballou