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Sugar Intake

All around the world the recommended limit of added sugars a person should have is 25g. However, in the United States, the recommended limit is 50g. To help become more aware about what you’re intake is, start by looking at the nutrition label on foods you buy. There are important things to look out for in a nutrition label, specifically within the sugar section. If you’re looking to lose weight or if you just want to decrease sugar intake, here are some helpful insights.

Two Types of Sugars on a Nutrition Label

Total Sugars

  • There are sugars that are found naturally in many foods
  • Total sugar is natural sugars plus added sugars
  • Examples of foods with natural sugars: milk, vegetables, and fruit

Added Sugars

  • The amount of added sugars can be found on a nutrition label directly under total sugars as a subcategory
  • This number represents the sugars that have been added during the processing of foods
  • Examples of added sugars to look out for: sucrose and dextrose

Key Sources of Added Sugars to Avoid

  • Sugary drinks such as sodas and juices
  • Candies
  • Baked goods
  • Processed cereals
  • Ice cream

Many people don’t realize that added sugars can actually cause a person to become more hungry after consuming, even though they provide a large number of calories. You do not need to completely cut out sugar from your diet since natural sugar is a part of a healthy diet. Just remember to be mindful of those sneaky added sugars!

Written by GUADS staff member Emily Hayburn, with contributions from www.fda.gov