How many times have you heard someone say “I have a major sweet tooth”? Or maybe you say the phrase frequently yourself. Truth is refined sugar does actually have addictive properties which causes you to feel withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Refined sugar is sugar that has been extracted, processed and added as an additional ingredient. For a 2000 calorie diet, the USDA recommends limiting sugar intake to 10 tsp or 40 g a day; however, the average American takes in approximately 34 tsp or 136 g a day. Refined sugar is in the majority of the food and drink we consume. For example, a 20 oz bottle of soda has 16 tsp or 64 g and a 6 oz container of fruit flavored yogurt can run you upwards of 6.75 tsp or 27 g of sugar.
When choosing items, make sure to check not only the actual sugar content, but what sources the sugar is coming from. Aim to get sugars from the most natural sources possible. For example, the sugars in 100% apple juice are from the natural sugars that are found in apples, vs. the processed sugars that are found in cookies.
Be Healthy. Be Balanced.
-Alicia and Nikki