She Strengthens

The Sneaky Truth About Added Sugars

What’s Hiding in Your Meals?

Ever wondered what 25 or 50 grams of sugar looks like in your daily diet? You’re not alone. Sugar is a tempting ingredient, and it’s easy to get caught up in its sweet allure. But did you know that added sugars are lurking in unexpected places, even in “healthy” foods?

Recommended Daily Limits

The American Heart Association recommends limiting daily sugar intake to 36 grams for men and 25 grams for women. But what does that really mean? To put it into perspective, we’ve created two hypothetical daily menus to show you what eating 50 grams and 25 grams of added sugar per day looks like.

What 25 Grams of Added Sugar Looks Like

Take a closer look at your daily meals, and you might be surprised to find added sugar hiding in whole-grain cereal, stir-fry, spinach salad with dried cranberries, and even popcorn. These “healthy” foods can quickly add up to exceed the recommended daily limit.

What 50 Grams of Added Sugar Looks Like

Double the trouble! Eating 50 grams of added sugar per day can sneak up on you, especially when you’re consuming processed foods, dried fruit, sauces, and condiments. Be mindful of your pasta sauce, ketchup, peanut butter, and other jarred goods – they may contain more sugar than you think.

Cracking the Code: Reading Nutrition Labels

Becoming a better label reader is key to identifying added sugars in your food. Look out for aliases like high-fructose corn syrup, honey, molasses, and more. Fortunately, new food label requirements are making it easier to track added sugars in grams.

Why Added Sugar Matters

Our bodies don’t need added sugar to thrive. In fact, excessive consumption can lead to insulin resistance, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and even non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. By being mindful of your sugar intake, you can take control of your health and make informed choices.

Taking Charge of Your Sugar Consumption

It’s not about policing your food labels all day, but about empowerment and having the tools to make positive changes. By understanding added sugar, you can cut back on excess consumption and enjoy sweets only when you choose to – not when they sneak up on you.