On average, Americans consume more than three times the recommended about of sugar daily, according to a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The American Heart Association recommends that women consume no more than 100 calories of sugar per day, and that men consume no more than 150. Eating foods with an excessive amount of sugar often prevents people from consuming more nutritious foods. Some studies even suggest that people who eat sweets habitually exhibit symptoms of sugar addiction.
One of the difficulties facing people trying to lose weight is that a number of processed foods masquerade as healthy, when in fact they’re not. Many foods advertise themselves as “Fat Free” that are extremely high in sugar. Many portion-controlled foods are still as sugary as the normal versions. For example, did you know that a 100-calorie pack of Oreo Candy Bits has more sugar than a serving of Chips Ahoy! chocolate chip cookies?
Another source of sneaky sugar is drinks. Many sodas, sweetened juices and even coffee drinks can be full of calories, but won’t make you feel full.
To help you visualize just how much sugar is in the things we eat and drink, SugarStacks.com illustrates the quantity of sugar in a food by stacking up the equivalent amount of sugar cubes. Keep in mind that a sugar cube is equal to one teaspoon.
