You might be surprised to know how much sugar you are consuming every day



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- How much sugar are you consuming every day? In the U.S., we consumer on average 22 teaspoons of added sugars a day. Dietitian Tatiana Castellino explains why it's not always easy to spot sugar on the label.

Sugar Facts:


    Sugar enhances flavor, promotes browning and aids in preservation; however, the high sugar content in foods comes with a trade-off. Excessive sugar intake can lead to type 2 Diabetes, contribute to metabolic syndrome and lead to excessive weight gain.


      If a manufacturer wants to sweeten up a certain brand of crackers, it can either do this using 15 grams of "sugar" or, 5 grams of "malt syrup," 5 grams of "invert sugar" and 5 grams of "glucose". Some manufacturers seem to be choosing this divide and masquerade method, placing these ingredients lower down on their products' lists, making us believe that the amount of sugar in the product is smaller than it is.

      The USDA Food Guide suggests:


        Hidden Sugars:


           

           

          Sugar” may be listed by any of these names on the ingredient list: