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Daily Tips

When you look at the Nutrition Facts panel on a food product, it tells you how many grams of sugar are in that food but it does not break the sugar down into natural sugars –– such as those found in milk or fruit –– and added sugars. In February 2006, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a comprehensive table that gives the added sugar count of more than 2,000 foods.

According to the USDA, the average American consumes 74 pounds of sugar per year, or 23 teaspoons a day. That adds up to 460 calories of nothing but sugar. The new table can help you find some surprising sources of added sugar, such as yogurt, salad dressings and even peanut butter, so you can know to look for brands that don’t have it.

Although sugar is sugar once it hits your bloodstream, ensuring that the vast majority of those sweet calories are packed with other, beneficial nutrients is one of the best things you can do for your body.

Download the USDA Database for the Added Sugars Content of Selected Foods.


A testing alternative.

Reviewed by Francine Kaufman, MD. 4/08