A Spoonful of Sugar

A Spoonful of Sugar

July 26, 2007

Although the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans don’t set a specific cap on sugar, if you consume foods in the proportions recommended for your particular calorie level, it’s tough to take in too much sugar. Nevertheless, it’s a good idea to try to limit portions, especially when you consume sugary foods such as candy, nondiet soda, juices that aren’t 100% fruit juice, cakes, cookies, jams and jellies, to name a few.

The Dietary Reference Intake Reports of the National Academy of Sciences Food and Nutrition boards currently suggests that not more than 25% of your total calories should come from added sugars.

Following a dietary pattern consistent with the Dietary Guidelines will help you achieve optimal health and will inevitably limit your consumption of sugar and other low-nutrient foods.

Produced by ADA’s Public Relations Team

Source: So What Can I Eat?! How to Make Sense of the New Dietary Guidelines for Americans and Make Them Your Own (Wiley 2006), Elisa Zied, MS, RD, with Ruth Winter, MS.

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