Just a Spoonful of Sugar…

Halloween leaves behind buckets of candy and a launches us into a sugar-filled holiday season.  If you find yourself digging into the remnants of Halloween candy a little more often than you would like, think about this sugary fact:

The American Heart Association recommends that consumption of added sugars be kept to less than 5% of our total daily calorie intake.  For most people, this means no more than 25 grams (or 6 teaspoons) of added sugar per day.

One “Fun Size” Milky Way has 10 grams of added sugar.  Three pieces of “Fun Size” chocolate exceed the amount of added sugar you should have in one day.

The best way to avoid added sugars is to minimize the amount of processed foods you eat. Read labels carefully.  Foods like cereal and granola bars often contain a lot of added sugar.   And, of course, try to minimize your consumption of sugary beverages like soda. 

Your best bet is to get your sweet fix from the natural sugars found in fruit, which also provide your body with fiber and vitamins.  So pick out a couple of your favorite Halloween candies to enjoy and move the rest of the candy out of sight or out of the house.  Your energy and your waistline will thank you.