By Erica Bub, Dietetic Intern, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Florida, and Karla Shelnutt, PhD, Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, University of Florida

Reviewed by Gail P. A. Kauwell, Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, University of Florida

Added sugars–those calorie-containing sweeteners used in prepared foods and beverages–are everywhere. From regular sodas to muffins at the coffee shop to that cookie you had for dessert, they give foods the sweet taste many crave. Manufacturers also often sneak them into foods where you might not expect them, such as condiments and salad dressings.

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend cutting back on added sugars, since they have been linked to weight gain, decreased diet quality, and increased risk for heart disease. With 30% of American children and teens now overweight or obese, and an increased incidence of weight-related problems in young people, sugar consumption is a real issue for families.

However, there may be some positive news on the horizon. It seems that we may be starting to respond to messages about our overconsumption of sugar. Recent numbers actually show that Americans two years of age and up reduced their intake of added sugars from about 400 calories to 300 calories per day between 1999 and 2008. This reduction was largely due to a drop in consumption of regular sodas, though consumption of so-called energy drinks, which also contain added sugars, increased over this time period.

While this is a good start, Americans’ average daily added sugar intake is still greater than what’s recommended. So, what can today’s families do to continue to cut back, especially when it comes to added sugars in children’s diets? Knowing which foods contain added sugars is a good place to begin, so read those ingredient lists. Also try comparing sugar grams in similar products to see which brands have the least sugar added. Reducing high-sugar foods and, especially, sweetened beverages can help reduce your family’s intake of added sugars and improve their diet.

More About Reducing Sugar in Your Family’s Diet:

Hard Facts about Soft Drinks (Kids Eat Right)

Choose MyPlate: Drink Water Instead of Sugary Drinks (UF/IFAS EDIS)

Why Does Yogurt Have So Much Sugar? (Kids Eat Right)

Cut Back on Your Kid’s Sweet Treats: 10 Tips to Decrease Added Sugar (from UF and Choose MyPlate)

And check out this video on Cutting Back on Your Kid’s Sweets, from UF-IFAS’s Central Extension District!

(Photo credit: rainbow sprinkle donut by Tommy Chheng. CC License.)

References:

Ogden, C. L., Carroll, M. D., Kit, B. K., Flegal, K. M. (2012). Prevalence of obesity and trends in body mass index among US children and adolescents, 1999-2010. Journal of the American Medical Association, 307(5), 483-490. doi:10.1001/jama.2012.40

Welsh, J.A., Sharma, A.J., Grellinger, L., & Vos, M.B. (2011). Consumption of added sugars is decreasing in the United States. Am J Clin Nutr. 94, 726-34.

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