By Clifton Harris
We are all familiar with carbohydrates and how almost everything we consume contains it. We also know carbohydrates turn into glucose (sugar) once consumed into our bodies, so we are consuming derivatives of sugar on a day to day basis. How much sugar is added on top of that with soda’s or fruit juices we consume with our meals? Well to put it into perspective, if a average 12 oz. coke can is around 40 grams of sugar, 4 grams is equivalent to a teaspoon, so a coke is equivalent to having 10 teaspoons of sugar with one can.
Most common effects from consuming too much sugar are: Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, tooth decay, high blood pressure and hypertension. According to the California Department of Public Health African Americans consume sugary drinks at a much higher level than other nationalities. African American’s are also at higher risk of developing adverse health effects from the high amount of sugar consumption. For children from ages 6-18 sugary beverages are the leading source of added sugar in their diets. A recent Los Angeles county wide survey uncovered that African American children drink twice the rate of sugary drinks compared to white and asian children.
Now the question is, how do we address this issue and what are our options? Here are a few steps we can take to make better choices and also alternatives to drink healthier drinks and reduce the amount of sugar we consume.
- Read labels on drinks you want to purchase. Check sugar content on labels and search for 100% juice on labels.
- Add sweeteners to your water or fresh fruit to give it taste.
- Choose water or milk and pack healthy lunches with fruit, often times fruit can replace the need for a drink at all.
- Explore other alternatives and options at: www.Uncoverhealthyhabits.com
