I know many foodies are diabetics and many just plain need to know....What is the recommended daily intake of sugar? After all we didn't start weight watchers due to our addictive nature to celery! It is commonly believed that people are born with an affinity for sweet foods. There may be good reason for this. Some researchers postulate that our ancestors were able to discern which foods were poisonous simply by taste. Naturally bitter foods were often those that were poisonous, while sweet foods were good or safe to eat. Over time, these tastes resulted in a built-in preference for sweet foods.
There is no formal limited Recommended Daily Intake for sugar. “Added sugars” are sugars and syrups that are added to foods during cooking. They don’t include natural sugars like the ones found in milk and fruit. Sugars may be added to foods to make them more palatable and are found in calorie-rich foods, which may lead to a higher calorie diet. This is why most nutrition experts recommend limiting added sugars (excluding fruit and milk) to 40 grams per day or 10 teaspoons (4 grams is in one teaspoon). Total sugar content is easily identifiable on the Nutrition Facts panel on the back of processed foods. There is "that" word again, processed foods....besides adding sodium to preserve, they also add sugar for taste.
Beware it is not just sugar listed on the label, sugar comes in many forms on the ingredient list. Here are a list of things to look for...
High fructose corn syrup
Sucrose
Glucose
Fructose
Lactose
Maltose
Brown sugar
Honey
Molasses
Fruit juice concentrates
Ingredients are listed in order of predominance, by weight. In addition, the first five ingredients listed make up the majority of the product. Whenever possible, eat foods that do not list sugars as one of the first four or five ingredients. If you would like more information regarding labels, and the importance of knowing that is the key to your success....and your healthy journey, read the blog on labels!
The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans specifically state: “Individuals who consume food or beverages high in added sugars tend to consume more calories than those who consume food or beverages low in added sugars.
There is no formal limited Recommended Daily Intake for sugar. “Added sugars” are sugars and syrups that are added to foods during cooking. They don’t include natural sugars like the ones found in milk and fruit. Sugars may be added to foods to make them more palatable and are found in calorie-rich foods, which may lead to a higher calorie diet. This is why most nutrition experts recommend limiting added sugars (excluding fruit and milk) to 40 grams per day or 10 teaspoons (4 grams is in one teaspoon). Total sugar content is easily identifiable on the Nutrition Facts panel on the back of processed foods. There is "that" word again, processed foods....besides adding sodium to preserve, they also add sugar for taste.
Beware it is not just sugar listed on the label, sugar comes in many forms on the ingredient list. Here are a list of things to look for...
High fructose corn syrup
Sucrose
Glucose
Fructose
Lactose
Maltose
Brown sugar
Honey
Molasses
Fruit juice concentrates
Ingredients are listed in order of predominance, by weight. In addition, the first five ingredients listed make up the majority of the product. Whenever possible, eat foods that do not list sugars as one of the first four or five ingredients. If you would like more information regarding labels, and the importance of knowing that is the key to your success....and your healthy journey, read the blog on labels!
The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans specifically state: “Individuals who consume food or beverages high in added sugars tend to consume more calories than those who consume food or beverages low in added sugars.
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