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Physician Takes Stock Of Her Own Sugar Consumption
ResumeWhen it comes to sugar and your health, there are two things you need to know: it's bad for you. And it's everywhere. You probably knew that already, but the biggest problem is that you probably don't know how much sugar you're consuming.
The World Health Organization recommends that people consume no more than six teaspoons of added sugar per day, but here in the U.S., we're consuming an average of 22 teaspoons of added sugar. And our health is suffering because of it.
When Dr. Terry Schraeder discovered her daily sugar intake was far higher than the recommended six teaspoons, she cut out sugar and retrained her taste buds.
Guest
Carey Goldberg, co-host of WBUR’s CommonHealth blog. She tweets @commonhealth.
Dr. Terry Schraeder, internist at Mount Auburn Hospital and adjunct assistant professor at Brown University Alpert Medical School.
More
CommonHealth: Confessions Of A Physician Sugar Addict
- How much sugar was I consuming a day? I was also adding honey to my coffee, maple syrup to my oatmeal, consuming corn syrup in my “healthy” flavored yogurt (some brands add as much as 30 grams per serving) and enjoying muffins as a snack and dessert many evenings. Along with my routine stop for a drive-through flavored coffee drink, and occasional cookies or candy, I had officially joined our nation of fellow sugar addicts.
NPR: First Look: The FDA's Nutrition Label Gets A Makeover
- Another significant change: The new panel will include a separate line for added sugars. This is aimed at helping consumers distinguish between the sugars that are naturally found in foods (such as the sugar in raisins found in cereal) from the refined sugars that food manufacturers add to their products.
The Boston Globe: Could You Live For A Year Without Sugar?
- Three years ago, Schaub and her family cut out a list of 13 added sweeteners, including high-fructose corn syrup, agave, honey, artificial sweeteners, and fruit juice. They even banned maple syrup — and they live in Vermont.
This segment aired on November 17, 2014.