The average American consumes about how much added sugar each day?
b. 12 tsps.
c. 22 tsps.
d. 32 tsps.
Answer
c. The actual amount estimated by the National Cancer Institute is 22.2 teaspoons, which converts to about 90 grams and 355 calories a day. (Note: One teaspoon of sugar equals about 4 grams and has 16 calories.)
Approximately, what is the maximum amount of added sugar per day recommended by the American Heart Association for most women and men?
a. 1 tsp. for women, 3 tsps. for men
b. 6 tsps. for women, 9 tsps. for men
c. 12 tsps. for women, 18 tsps. for men
d. 18 tsps. for women, 24 tsps. for men
Answer
b. The American Heart Association issued the guidelines last year among concerns that too much added sugar in the diet could lead to possible weight gain and health problems. Keep in mind, these are general recommendations. For example, as your activity level goes up, so does the maximum. With added sugar, however, less is always best.
Where do Americans get the highest percentage of added sugar?
a. Cakes, cookies, and pies
b. Candy
c. Dairy desserts and milk products
d. Fruit drinks
e. Regular soft drinks
Answer
e. One-third of the added sugar Americans consume comes from regular soft drinks.
About how much sugar is there in a 12-ounce can of regular cola?
a. 11 grams
b. 23 grams
c. 38 grams
d. 52 grams
Answer
c. 38 grams equals more than nine teaspoons. Some sodas have even more. That's why eliminating regular soda (along with other sweetened drinks) from your diet is one of the best ways to reduce your added sugar.
True or false? You can tell if a food or beverage has added sugar by looking at its nutrition facts label.
b. False
Answer
b. False. The amount of sugar listed on the nutrition facts label includes all sugar—natural and added. To determine if sugar has been added to a food or beverage, check its ingredients list. If sugar (or a sugar product) is listed as an ingredient, it's been added.
True or false? If you don't see the word "sugar" on the ingredients list for a food or beverage, you can be sure it has no added sugar.
a. True
b. False
Answer
b. False. Unfortunately, sugar hides behind a number of names on ingredients lists. Here are some to look out for: Corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, fruit juice concentrate, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, lactose, maltose, malt syrup, molasses, and sucrose.
