I once read an article about sugar and the writer compared sugar to cocaine. I thought that was extreme. Unless you have health issues that consuming sugar will impact, I believe you can consume sugar in moderation. The American Heart Association recommends 6 teaspoons (25 grams) of added sugar a day for women and 9 teaspoons (36 grams) for men. According to this organization American adults consume an average of 77 grams of sugar per day, more than three times the recommended amount for women.

Consuming too much sugar can lead to several health issues including obesity, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, tooth decay and certain cancers. Sugar can accelerate the skin aging process and drain your energy. Sugar can also lead to chronic inflammation.

Reducing your sugar intake will take effort on your part. It is more than watching the desserts you eat. There are several products that have hidden sugar. Read the labels to see if sugar is included in the ingredients. Look for types of sugar such as cane juice, sorghum and corn syrup. Chemical names ending in -ose indicate sugars. Products that contain sugar include bacon, ketchup, salad dressing, pasta sauce, barbecue sauce, cereal, energy bars, soda, juice and alcoholic beverages. (The good news is that some companies are starting to make these products without sugar.) Eating mostly whole unprocessed foods will help decrease your sugar intake. I stay away from artificial sweeteners because there is a debate whether they are more detrimental to health than natural sugars.

You may have to deal with sugar cravings. Instead of taking drastic steps you should take gradual steps to reduce sugar. If you like drinking soda try seltzer water instead with lemon or lime. Consider reducing your portion size. Try using a food journal where you can track how much sugar you are consuming. Search for recipes that are low in sugar. You should create a plan that meets your needs.

I know that reducing your sugar intake is not easy; however, the health benefits are worth the effort.