Cut the Sugar

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Drinking too many sugary drinks may lead to developing chronic diseases.

Diabetes and tooth decay icons
Weight gain and obesity icon and heart disease icon

Sugary drinks are beverages with any added sugar or caloric sweeteners. 

"Regular” or non-diet sodas, sports drinks, and energy drinks are all sugary drinks. Sweetened coffees and teas, aguas frescas, flavored milk, and juice drinks are also sugary drinks.

 

Sodas, sports drinks, and energy drinks
Coffee drinks, sweet teas, aguas frescas
flavored milks and juice drinks

How much sugar is too much?

The American Heart Association recommends the following limits on daily added sugar intake
o teaspoon daily for children under 2. Less than 6 teaspoons for children ages 2 - 18.
Less than 6 teaspoons daily for women 18 plus. Less than 9 teaspoons daily for Men 18 plus.

The amount of added sugar in most sugary drinks is more than the recommended daily limits.

The number of teaspoons of added sugar in each beverage pictured below are approximated. The exact number of teaspoons may vary by brand.

 

Teaspoons in soda, sweet tea, energy drink
teaspoons of sugar in coffee, soda, and sports drinks
Teaspoons of sugar in a 16 ounce juice, flavored milk. and 6 ounce juice pouch

Drinking sugary drinks adds up.

Sugar pounds you can drink
33 pounds of sugar each year if you drink a 12 ounce soda every day for a year

Reduce sugar. Reduce risk of chronic disease. Choose water or low-fat milk instead of sugary drinks. 

Drinking water is important to help your body work best. Use these tips to help you hydrate better with water.* 

Carry a  refillable water bottle and Drink water every 30 minutes
Drink water during meals and flavor water with fresh herbs, fruits, and  veggies

*Breastmilk and formula provide the fluids babies need for the first 6 months. Consult your pediatrician for more information about when to add water to your child’s diet. 


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