By Carleton Rivers, MS, RD, LD

It’s not a mystery that sugar in large amounts is not good for your health, but do you know why? Consuming large amounts of sugar on a regular basis can lead to weight gain and possibly obesity, type 2 diabetes, tooth decay and cavities, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers. But how do you know if you or your child are eating and drinking too much sugar? The American Heart Association came out with a set of guidelines to help Americans limit their sugar intake. But these days, sugar is found in so many products that it’s almost impossible to know how much you’re getting without paying close attention to Nutrition Facts Labels.

• Preschoolers
  • No more than 4 tsp. (16 grams) of sugar per day
• Children Ages 4-8 years old
  • No more than 3 tsp. (12 grams) of sugar per day
• Pre-teen and Teens
  • No more than 5-8 tsp. (20-32 grams) of sugar per day
• Adult Women
  • No more than 6 tsp. (24 grams) of sugar per day
• Adult Men
  • No more than 9 tsp. (36 grams) of sugar per day