Sugar, Sugar Everywhere
Americans are addicted to sugar…and it is one of the biggest health threats of our time. However, most people have no idea how much sugar has been added to their yogurt, cereal, power bar, etc. If you don’t know how much sugar you’re consuming, how can you really cut back?
An average American consumes over 100 pounds of sugar annually…That is about 10,000 teaspoons of sugar per year and a whopping 45,000 grams of added sugar! According to the Department of Health and Human Services, increased consumption of added sugars has been linked to obesity and a decrease in the intake of essential micronutrients like vitamins and minerals essential for overall health. Added sugars can also contribute to a myriad of diseases including diabetes, heart disease, and even certain cancers.
One of the best ways to cut down on added sugar is to know how much you are actually consuming. This will require you to keep a journal, and write down every bit of sugar you consume. You will have to carefully read food labels to see how much added sugar is in each serving of the food you eat or drink. Sugar is hidden in absolutely everything and you will quickly learn how much sugar is added to processed foods – especially foods you don’t even suspect like pasta sauce, ketchup and even many salad dressings. Simply understanding what you are consuming on a daily/weekly basis can have a profound effect on you overall health, and may help you to develop some healthier habits.
It is interesting to note that some experts say that sugar is 8 times more addictive than cocaine, so easing up on sugar will take some time and effort, but the results will be worth the work!