Sugar Dietary Guidelines Released Shows Encouraged Consumption in More Natural-State Sugar Sources Such As Fruits, Vegetables and Whole Grains

The Federal Government is officially recommending that added sugar, meaning sugar that is additionally added not sugar that is naturally found in food, has been reduced to 10% or less of calories.  Evidence has suggested that heart disease, diabetes and weight gain is associated with high sugar consumption.

Every five years, the government’s official diet advice is revised by on new nutrition science, says Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell.

Americans are urged to eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole wheat.  Additionally, teenage boys and adult men were shown having a high protein intake.  Although there is evidence to suggest that teenage boys and adult men need to lower their protein intake, there was no clear statement asking them to lower their red meat intake.

The recommended guidelines of salt for most people is 2,300 mg or less a day.  An average American gets 3,400 mg a day.  A high salt intake leads to high blood pressure.

Majority of American’s sodium intake is coming from processed and restaurant food.

The recommended 2,000 calorie diet would allot for 200 sugar calories. The 12-ounce soda is approximately 120-150 calories.

A typical American consumes 22 teaspoons a day.  On a 2,000-calorie diet, 10% of their sugar would be 12 teaspoons.

Madelyn Fernstrom, NBC News Health and Nutrition editor says food labels aren’t user-friendly and asks how to convert grams of sugar to teaspoons?

The report is direct and urges Americans to change their eating habits.  The introduction to the report addresses itself to the 117 million American adults who have preventable, chronic disease due to their eating habits and their exercise habits.

Although the evidence suggests that Americans aren’t listening or paying attention to the guidelines, the dietary guidelines are the standard for school lunches, food stamps and doctor’s diet advice.