Women Urged to Cut Added Sugar Intake

Most Americans consume around 22 teaspoons of sugar added to food and drink each day, but the American Heart Association says that number should be much lower. For women, they suggest consuming no more than six teaspoons (100 calories) of added sugar each day.

Men get a bit more sugar allowance! The American Heart Association says that men can consume up to 150 calories a day or nine teaspoons of added sugar.

The added sugar intake recommendations were published online Monday in Circulation, a journal of the American Heart Association.

Why sugar intake recommendations now?

The suggestions on sugar intake aim to help reduce obesity and diabetes. We’re eating more sugar than we did three decades ago, but we’re not more active.

In other words, if you’re not willing to exercise more, you should really watch that sugar intake. Eliminating soda consumption is the first place to start. Just one soda can push you over the recommended daily sugar intake.

After quitting the soda habit, the American Heart Association recommends taking a look at your table sugar and candy consumption, followed by cakes, cookies and pies.

Fruit drinks and dairy desserts like ice cream are also a big source of sugar. Also, don’t forget to look at your sugar intake from processed grain foods like cinnamon toast.

While you don’t have to worry about natural sugar in fruits, you do need to be aware of eating foods with high fructose corn syrup.

Will these new guidelines encourage you to start counting your sugar intake?

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