The Bitterness of Sweet: How Much Sugar Are You Really Consuming?
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Collapse ▲We all know sugar is sweet, but do we understand how much of it we consume every day? It is really easy to overlook, but the average person consumes approximately 30 teaspoons of sugar daily—some more, some less. To put this into perspective, the American Heart Association recommends men should not consume more than 9 teaspoons a day, and women should not consume more than 6 teaspoons daily. However many, we are far exceeding these limits.
I think the confusion often starts with reading food labels. Sugar content is typically listed in grams, which can make it difficult to translate into teaspoons. Keep in mind: 4 grams of sugar is roughly equivalent to 1 teaspoon. This means, if you’re grabbing a bottle of soda, a sugary snack, or a seemingly healthy granola bar, you might be unknowingly increasing your sugar intake.
Research indicates excessive sugar consumption can lead to serious health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, tooth decay, and chronic inflammation. In North Carolina, over 1 million adults are living with diabetes and 34.6 percent of adults are at high-risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In 2022, North Carolina ranked 11th in the nation for diabetes-related deaths.
It’s not too late to make a change. By choosing a healthier diet and incorporating physical activity into your routine, you can reduce your risk—whether you’re prediabetic or already living with type 2 diabetes.
If you or someone you know is looking to learn more about managing diabetes and improving health, join me for a four-part Dining with Diabetes class. These research-based sessions are designed to help you understand how nutrition and lifestyle choices can impact your health. The classes will be held at WellCare, 6661 NC Highway 41 North, Lumberton, NC. Registration is required and space is limited to 15 participants. There will be a waiting list when the class becomes full. You can register using the link go.ncsu.edu/dwd2025 or call North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center, at 910-671-3276. The classes are scheduled as follows, with all sessions running from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.:
- Living with Diabetes – Tuesday, April 29
- Carbs and Sweeteners – Tuesday, May 6
- Fats and Sodium – Tuesday, May 13
- Putting it All Together – Tuesday, May 20
But that’s not all—following the Diabetes class, we’ll also “Stride into Wellness” with a walking class from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Northeast Park, 500 Hornets Road, Lumberton, NC.
Stride into Wellness Dates: April 29, May 1, 6, 9, 13, 15, and 20. Registration is required to participate in the Stride into Wellness classes. You can register at go.ncsu.edu/strideintowellness, or by calling Extension at 910-671-3276.
So why not take the first step towards better health today? Join North Carolina Cooperative Extension and WellCare to help combat diabetes through education and physical activity. Commit to an overall healthier lifestyle by registering for both classes. It can help you to manage your blood sugar levels, reducing inflammation, and lowering your risk for heart disease. Community partners working together to improve individual health and a healthier community.
For more information, contact Wendy Maynor, Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, at 910-671-3276, by Email at Wendy_Maynor@ncsu.edu, or visit our website at //robeson.ces.ncsu.edu/.