Spoonful of Sugar
‘Just a Spoonful of Sugar’ was created by Primal Living to increase awareness about where ‘hidden sugar’ really lives and how this ridiculously addictive substance is creeping into our children’s lives and seriously affecting their health. Some of it is blindingly obvious, some of it may surprise you but the source represents the findings of some of the most credible medical professionals on the planet.
Ask Sugar Science at UCSF: How much is okay?
Expert panels worldwide have made consistent recommendations on daily sugar intake.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends no more than 6 teaspoons (25 grams) of added sugar per day for women and 9 teaspoons (38 grams) for men.1 The AHA limits for children vary depending on their age and caloric needs, but range between 3-6 teaspoons (12 – 25 grams) per day.
That is in line with the World Health Organization‘s (WHO) recommendation that no more than 10% of an adult’s calories – and ideally less than 5% – should come from added sugar or from natural sugars in honey, syrups and fruit juice. For a 2,000-calorie diet, 5% would be 25 grams.
Limit daily sugar to 6 tsps (25 g) for women, 9 tsps (38 g) for men.
Yet, the average American consumes 17 teaspoons (71.14 grams) every day.2 That translates into about 57 pounds of added sugar consumed each year, per person.3
Children and teens are particularly at risk.
The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting total intake of discretionary calories, including both added sugars and fats, to 5% –15% per day. Yet children and adolescents in America obtain about 16% of their total caloric intake from added sugars alone.4
Learn all about sugar from Sugar Science at UCSF.
