Let's Talk About Sugar! - Community Corner

Let’s talk about sugar!

We all like sweet things.  Cookies, milkshakes, pies, sweet tea, sweetened coffee, the list is endless!  Let’s explore our sugar habit just a little.

Some interesting facts about sugar consumption in the US.

1. The American Heart Association recommends men eat no more than 9 teaspoons to added sugar per day and women not more than 6 teaspoons.
2. The average daily intake of sugar is approximately 17 teaspoons of sugar.
3. Sugar-sweetened drinks are the #1 source of added sugar.
4. Followed by snacks, sweets and desserts.

What happens to all that extra sugar??

Per the American Heart Association, “It all comes down to how fast sugars get absorbed. For example, your body spends more time digesting an apple than regular soda. The apple contains fiber, so the natural sugar absorbs more slowly. The added sugar in soda, however, hits your system all at once, absorbing sugar much more quickly. A 12-ounce can of soda contains 10 teaspoons (42 grams) of added sugar — nearly double the recommended amount a day for women and more than the total daily amount for men.”

Eating too much sugar ”sets off a reaction that can result in diabetes and other conditions. As sugar is digested, the blood glucose level increases. To regulate it, the pancreas pumps out insulin, which lowers glucose in the blood. The more sugar consumed, the harder the pancreas has to work.”

What to look for while grocery shopping?

Directly from the American Heart Association website: There’s a lot of confusing information out there. Studies show that 68% of shoppers come across conflicting nutritional data on social media and 60% of them doubt the choices they are making for their families due to conflicting information.  
It’s tempting to look to alternative sugars, which often can be perceived as healthier choices than plain white sugar. Don’t be fooled. Added sugar is added sugar no matter what it is called. Check out the ingredients lists for these added sugars:

• Honey
• Maple syrup
• Coconut sugar
• Turbinado sugar
• High fructose corn syrup
• Corn syrup
• Dextrose

Food manufacturers are now required to list the amount of added sugars on the Nutrition Facts label in grams and as a percentage of daily value. A recent analysis found that this labeling could potentially prevent nearly 1 million cases of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes over the next two decades. Listing the total amount of added sugars means that consumers can easily determine how much added sugar is in a food or beverage. This information helps shoppers make smart choices.

The remedy is straightforward — consume less sugar to reduce the risks — but difficult because added sugar is everywhere. And it’s delicious.

Be mindful of what you’re eating and how you’re shopping. Here are some tips:

• Curb the sugar sips: Drink water or flavored sparkling water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda, energy drinks, sports drinks or lemonade.
• Toss the table sugar: Stop adding the sugar yourself.
• Opt for “natural” over “added”: Use fresh fruit to sweeten cereal or oatmeal.
• Spice it up: Consider ginger, allspice, cinnamon or nutmeg as flavor substitutes for all that sugar.
• Read the labels: Compare Nutrition Food labels and choose products that have less sugar.

All this information and more is found on the American Heart Association website.  www.heart.com

Eat smart, drink smart, live better!!