Health and Fitness

For years The American Heart Association has made specific recommendations concerning fat intake. This is all in an effort to reduce Heart Disease. Now they have come out new recommendations… These recommendations concern sugar intake.

In the past The AHA has only advised to “minimize” sugar intake. The recent guidelines call for added sugar to be kept below specific levels, 25 grams per day for women, 37 grams per day for men, and 12 grams per day for children. This amounts to about 100, 148, and 48 calories respectively. Why the shift? Because it’s known that surplus sugar can be converted into surplus fat.

The USDA reports that the average per capita annual sugar consumption is 153 pounds. That amounts to about 189 grams per day, or 756 calories per day from sugar for each person living in the U.S. That would mean that each person in the U.S. is consuming the equivalent of eight 2.7 oz. donuts everyday. Other sources put the average daily consumption of sugar at a more modest 90 grams per day. The main point is, Americans consume too much.

How can you lose 5 pounds a month and eat whatever you want? That’s easy, if you are like the average American and consume a large amount of sugar, you are taking in 22,680 calories per month from sugar alone. If you cut that by 75 %, you will be taking in 17,010 fewer calories each month. Since one pound is equal to 3500 calories, you will lose nearly 5 pounds per month by consuming 75 % less sugar.

If you follow the recommendations of The American Heart Association you will consume even less, and lose even more. This recommendation refers to added sugars, meaning foods that are processed with additional sugar added to the contents. To lose weight, give up the added sugars.