Americans Eat 22 Teaspoons of Sugar Daily

Americans Eat 22 Teaspoons of Sugar Daily. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), Americans on average eat and drink about 22 teaspoons (335 calories) of sugar daily. That’s almost a half cup of sugar a day, or about 130 to 140 pounds of sugar a year! The data suggest that these calories take up 30 to 42 percent of total calorie intake. This added sugar contributes to an excess of “discretionary” calories. These are calories above and beyond what you need to maintain your current weight and provide adequate nutrients. Soft drinks appear to be the biggest culprit of added sugar, followed by cookies, cakes, candy and pies. Emerging research shows that drinking soda is linked to increased overall calories, higher body weight and lower intake of essential nutrients. American Heart Association. Scientific statement: dietary sugars intake and cardiovascular health. Circulation. 2009;20:1011-1020