Sugar shock

The average American eats about 22 teaspoons of added sugar every day. This adds up to over 70 pounds of sugar a year. Even worse, American teens are eating closer to 34 teaspoons a day. The result on our bodies is less than sweet. Eating too much sugar can lead to unhealthy weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Plus, eating lots of sugar makes you less likely to get all the vitamins and minerals you need in your diet.


How much is too much?

The American Heart Association has made the following recommendations about sugar limits:

Adult women/teens= Limit to 5 teaspoons per day

Adult men/teens= Limit to 8-9 teaspoons per day


Just how much sugar is in soda?

12-ounce can = 10 teaspoons of sugar

20-ounce bottle = 16 1/4 teaspoons of sugar

2-liter bottle = 27 teaspoons of sugar


Don't believe the hype!

Sports drink ads make it look like athletes should drink them by the gallon. The reality is sports drinks are high in calories and sugar. Water, and not sports drinks, should be the main source of hydration for children after sports. When sports drinks are used, pay attention to how many servings are in the bottle. Sports drinks are available in 64 oz bottles. That’s 8 servings!


What about 100% juice?

Large amounts of 100% fruit juice can lead to excessive weight gain in children. They can cause diarrhea and tooth decay. Eating fruit is much healthier than drinking juice. Children do not need to drink juice.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:Children 7 to 18 years old should have no more than 8 to 12 oz (1 to 2 cups) of juice per day.


Read more from "Be a Sugar Detective" by Yale Health

Best Teen Diets recommends healthy well balanced eating that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and low-fat or fat-free dairy. We offer nutrition information for teens, parents and educators that emphasizes the importance of healthy eating for teens. For more information visit www.bestteendiets.org