HOLMANFIT HEALTH TIP: Too Much Sugar — What You Need to Know and Do
Most Americans consume far too much sugar, which is damaging our health. The average adult consumes 17 teaspoons (68 grams) of added sugar a day, 2 to 3 times the recommended amount.
The American Heart Association says: • Men should have no more than 9 teaspoons (36g) per day. • Women should have no more than 6 teaspoons (25g) per day.
Too much sugar doesn’t just add calories. It harms nearly every system in your body.
🚨 The Health Consequences of Excess Sugar:
• Weight gain & obesity
• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease
• Fatty liver disease • Tooth decay
• Increased inflammation
• Higher risk of depression & cognitive decline And it often starts with what you drink—sugary beverages like soda, sweetened coffee, and energy drinks are major culprits.
✅ How to Take Control:
1 Read nutrition labels — watch for “added sugars” and sugar aliases like corn syrup, cane juice, or maltose.
2 Cut sugary drinks — replace soda with water, sparkling water, or unsweetened tea.
3 Eat whole fruit instead of fruit juice.
4 Choose unsweetened snacks — many yogurts, granola bars, and cereals are sugar bombs in disguise.
5 Cook at home — you control what goes in. 6 Use apps like Yuka or ChatGPT to identify low-sugar, nutrient-dense foods.
💡 Example ChatGPT Prompt:
“Give me 5 healthy snacks that are low in added sugar but high in nutrition.” 🧠
