The scientists and researchers do not consider sugar to be addictive, at least not in the same way as alcohol or nicotine or opiates, writes Frank Hu, the Chair of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in the Harvard Gazette. But, there’s no question that people have cravings for sugar and cannot resist eating it. Sugar has real effects on our bodies and minds and some addictive qualities.
Sugar is in so many of the foods we know and love. Ultra-processed foods usually contain sugar as well as fats and salt. And all of these ingredients contribute to our wanting to eat even more. When we don’t, we can feel it.
Many people have serious symptoms when they don’t eat. They get headaches or anxious or dizzy. It is challenging for a lot of people to give up these unhealthy foods.
Of course, there are plenty of healthy foods, like fruits, that contain sugar. And, we should not even think of giving those up. That makes sugar very different from alcohol and cigarettes, which offer no health benefits.
Eating reasonable amounts of sugar is a good thing and should not negatively affect your health or your mood. In fact, it can make you happy!
How much added sugar do Americans eat a day? The data show that the typical person has 20 teaspoons of added sugar each day or 300 calories! This sugar comes from drinks, candies and snacks.
The recommended amount of added sugar, according to the American Heart Association, is a maximum of nine teaspoons a day for men and six for women, still less for kids.
What to do? Pay attention to how much extra sugar you are eating. Read food labels. Don’t give all the added sugar up immediately but, rather, slowly, eat fewer foods with added sugar.
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