Added sugar is no secret. In fact, Americans consume too much added sugar in their diet. If you want to live a healthier life and keep the pounds off, it’s time to pay attention to the food label and avoid those foods with added sugars.
Natural Sugar vs Added Sugar
Naturally occurring sugar can be found in milk and fruit. Added sugar is added to food products when they are processed or prepared. Some of the most common added sugars include:
- Brown sugar
- Fructose
- Corn syrup
- High-fructose corn syrup
- Glucose
- Honey
- Molasses
- Syrup
- Raw sugar
- Sucrose
Added sugars increase your calorie intake and offer no nutritional benefit. Eating too much sugar can lead to weight gain, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Daily Sugar Intake
According to the Dietary Guidelines of Americans:
- Children under 2 years should consume NO added sugar.
- People older than 2 years should keep their sugar intake no more than 10% of their daily total calories.
are the leading cause of added sugar. Find out how much sugar lurks in your favorite drinks.
Please note: This table represents an estimate in sugar content. The sugar content in a drink varies depending on the brand or flavor.