Sugar intake in the modern American diet is growing!! Americans sugar intake has increased dramatically over the last 40 years, along with portion size of sugary drinks. Two out of three adults, and one out of three children, in the United States are considered obese. Is it by coincidence that obesity rates are growing in the United States concurrently with portion size of sugary drinks in the U.S?
An average 20 oz. soda contains 15 - 18 teaspoons of sugar. However, 20 oz's wasn't always an average size soda. Before the 1950's, an average soda was sold in a 6.5 oz glass bottle. In 1950, the 12 oz can was introduced. This became widely available, and the average size until the 1990s, when the 20 oz plastic bottle became the norm. Today, soda can be purchased in up to 2-liters.
Think about your fast food soda. McDonalds' large soda is 32 oz. 7-11 Big Gulp is 40 oz of soda. That is double the average 20 oz bottle of soda.
The link between sugary drinks and obesity is becoming more and more prevalent.
Sugary drinks do not only include soda, but sweetened iced-tea, sports drinks, and energy drinks. An average 20 oz Powerade includes 9 teaspoons of sugar. Red Bull energy drink contains 39g of sugar. That Vitamin water that we thought was a healthy drink choice includes 10g of sugar. And Starbucks? Oh Starbucks… my favorite white chocolate mocha include 59g of sugar!!!
Many of us have no idea the amount of sugar we consume in our drinks everyday. I believe the recommended daily sugar intake is 6 teaspoons, or 25g. Try to track your sugar intake OF YOUR DRINKS for ONE day. Post a comment here with your results. How did you do? Better or worse than you expected?
Remember… that was just your drinks….
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