The American Heart Association (AMA) journal, Circulation, has reported online that North Americans are swallowing 22 teaspoons of sugar each day.
Most of this added sugar comes from soda pop and candy. In fact, there is so much pop sold today in this continent that we all drink, on average, 597 cans per year.
This Summer, McDonald's introduced their Any Size pop for $1. And, for the longest time, the size of the 7-Eleven's pops and slurpies have been growing to enormous proportions... the Big Gulp is 32 oz. of pop, and the Super Gulp is 64 oz. of pop...Slurpies range in size from 12 oz. to 40 oz.
Is all this pop necessary? Does pop even quench thirst? Or does it just delay thirst, and hunger?
Rachel K. Johnson, professor of nutrition at the University of Vermont in Burlington, lead author of the statement published online, says we need to "take a good hard look at our diet. Figure out where the sources of added sugars are and think about how to cut back on those items."
To check for added sugars, look for a variety of ingredients on labels, including sugar, corn syrup, fructose, dextrose, molasses or evaporated cane juice.
Remember that, on average, most women need about 1,800 calories a day and most men need about 2,200 calories to maintain their weight. And added sugar contributes no useful, nutritious calories...so, next time you're thirsty, drink a glass of water first.
Don't camouflage your hunger with a tasty soda...go get some real food!
