The current dietary guidelines allow for 10% of one’s daily calories from added sugar.
American adults consume an average of 77 grams of sugar per day, far more than the recommended amount.
Once you know how to recognize them, you might find ways to reduce your intake.
Peter Dazeley/Getty
What Are Added Sugars?
However, Harris-Pincus also notes that there are some sugars that aren’t in this category.
Added sugars aren’t always obvious or easy to spot.
Common names for added sugarsinclude:
You might be surprised by sources of added sugar in your diet.
For example,a can of sodahas, on average, 39 grams of added sugars.
The problem is that added sugars pack in extra calories without the benefit of added nutritional value.
For example, your teeth and gums.
United States Department of Agriculture.Scientific Report of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.
Advisory Report to the Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of Health and Human Services.
First Print: July 2020
Dietary Guidelines for Americans.Current dietary guidelines.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines.
American Heart Association (AHA).How much sugar is too much?
2016;53(1):52-67. doi:10.3109/10408363.2015.1084990