We Have a Challenge for You!

The American Heart Association (AHA) released an article August 24, 2009 regarding the dietary sugar intake of Americans in respect to cardiovascular health! (See full text!) Here's a summary. In 2001 to 2004, the usual intake of added sugars for Americans was 22.2 teaspoons per day (or an extra 322 calories per day!) When you look at the breakdown of all ages, 14 to 18 year old teens had the highest consumption rates at 34.3 teaspoons per day (or an extra 549 calories per day.) Sources of the increase of sugar came from soft drinks, fruit juices, dessert, sugars, jellies, candies, and ready-to-eat cereals. Soft drinks and sugar-sweetened beverages are the primary sources of added sugars in Americans' diets. (Is anyone truly shocked about this discovery?! I hope not!) Human studies link soft drink consumption with excess caloric consumption per day, greater body weight, and poor nutrition.

In 2006 the AHA recommended minimizing the intake of beverages and food with added sugars (period.) AHA's recommendations are now more specific. "Most American women should eat or drink no more than 100 calories per day from added sugars, and most American men should eat or drink no more than 150 calories per day from added sugars."

Here's the simple breakdown. Women should limit added sugars to 6 tsp per day and men should limit added sugars to 9 tsp per day.

Are you up for the challenge?!