Do you know how much sugar is enough for your daily diet? According to the guidelines given by Diabetes Ireland on sugar consumption by children and adults, no more than 10 percent of a person’s energy intake (calories) should come from free sugar. An individual requires 1,500 – 2,000 calories per day which is equal to 10-14 teaspoons of sugar.

How much sugar does an average adult need?
According to the American Heart Association, six teaspoons of sugar for women and nine teaspoons for men is enough. However, we easily cross these limits of sugar consumption to around 11 teaspoons and are unaware. Many processed food like cakes, cookies or donuts contain high level of sugar as well as calories.

Is sugar addictive?
Sugar creates the same impact on the brain’s Mesolimbic Dopamine System as drugs such as nicotine, cocaine and amphetamines. Sugar causes changes in people’s brain similar those associated with drug addiction.

How can I cut sugar from my diet?
Avoid added sugar to optimise your health. Replace your sugar cravings with fruits rather than processed food. Beware of the amount of calories you are consuming daily. Processed food is loaded with sugar, so read the content level on processed food packs before you purchase.

Understanding natural sugar and added sugar.
Natural sugar is different from added sugar, it can be easily found in fruits and vegetables they are healthier and more preferable for your daily diet than added sugar. However, added sugar comes from regular table sugar or high fructose corn syrup usually used in processed food.

Photo by Jennie Brown on Unsplash

 

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