A Message from One of Our Dieticians, Stacy Wagner, MHSA, RD, CSG:
“Rethink Your Drink”
The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugars to no more than 100 calories a day (6 teaspoons) for most women and no more than 150 calories a day (9 teaspoons) for most men. Most Americans consume 20 teaspoons of added sugars each day! That’s triple the recommended daily limit for women, and double for men.
Sugar sweetened beverages are the biggest source of added sugar in the American diet. Other sources are baked items (like cakes, muffins, cookies, and pies), ice cream and candy. Some sugars are naturally in fruits, vegetables, milks and grains. Other sugars, the kind added to foods, drinks, and condiments during processing, may increase heart disease risk. A typical 12 ounce can of soda has 150 calories and 10 teaspoons of sugar. Added sugar also sneaks into seemingly “better for you” beverages such as sports drinks, fruit drinks, and flavored milks.
Read food labels! Syrup, molasses, cane sugar and fruit juice concentrate mean added sugar as well as most ingredients ending with the letters “ose” (like fructose and dextrose). Swap those out! Drink water, sparkling water, unsweetened tea or sugar-free beverages.
Eating and drinking a lot of added sugar is one probable cause of the obesity epidemic in the U.S. It’s also linked to increased risks for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and inflammation in the body.
