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SALT LAKE CITY -- For many people the holidays are a time to indulge and enjoy extra sweets - but when is it too much?
The American Heart Association points out that sugars can be naturally occurring or added into the foods we eat. "Naturally occurring sugars are found naturally in foods such as fruit (fructose) and milk (lactose). Added sugars are sugars and syrups put in foods during preparation or processing, or added at the table."
In 2009, the association urged consumers to cut back on the amount of added sugar they consume. It's guideline is:
- Women: 6 teaspoons/day
- Men: 9 teaspoons/day
- Kids: 3 teaspoons/day
Julie Hansen, a registered dietitian and president of the Utah Dietetic Association, demonstrated for KSL what the recommended amount of added sugar looks like, with one sugar cube equivalent to one teaspoon. Studies suggest Americans consume on average 355 calories, or more than 22 teaspoons, of sugar a day.
Hansen said beverages often are a good place to cut back. One 12-ounce can of regular soda usually contains about 130 calories, or eight teaspoons of sugar.
"During the holidays, you add a lot of sugar-sweetened desserts on top of that and it really sets you up for not feeling good, a lot of excess weight gain," Hansen said.
She suggested being careful during the holidays and really choosing what you want to consume.
Hansen said food labels can be misleading because they don't really distinguish between added sugar and natural sugar.
She suggested consumers take the number of sugar grams listed on a food label and divide it by four to get the equivalent number of teaspoons of sugar.
Play the video to see the interview.
