The American Heart Association is challenging all Americans to limit our sugar intake. Finally, they are realizing the white devil is the cause of alot of our nation's maladies, including but not limited to obesity, diabetes, cancer, stomach problems, aging faster, even dementia. The AHA sets the guidelines at 6 teaspoons of added sugars per day for women and 9 teaspoons for men. Six tsp. is equal to 24 grams, or about 100 calories. Nine teaspoons equals 36 grams, or about 150 calories.
So some people are a bit confused as to what constitutes added sugars verses natural sugars. Here are a few rules of thumb:
~ 8 oz. of milk has 12 grams of natural sugar. So if you drink chocolate milk, and the label boasts 24 grams of sugar, then you know 12 of those grams are natural, leaving 12 grams that are added. Same with yogurt: plain nonfat yogurt has 12 grams of sugar, but none of it would be added, it's all from milk, a natural source. However, if you get the fruit flavored yogurt and it contains 25 grams of sugar, you take out the 12 grams of natural sugars from the milk and you are left with 13 grams of added sugars.
~ fruit, or 100% fruit juice, has 25-30 grams of natural sugar. Remember, it is always best to eat whole fruits and limit the juice form.
~ vegetables, 1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw, has 5 grams of natural sugars.
~ for every other food, consider the sugar to be added. Remember to read labels and see the post link below for sneaky names for sugar on labels.
http://8020healthnut.blogspot.com/2009/09/other-names-for-sugar.html
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