The War Against Sugar Continues
February was National Children’s Dental Health Month, and the 2016 theme was ‘Sugar Wars.’ Pediatric dentists in Sugar Land Texas encouraged children and adults to fight the war against sugar with better oral health care habits, and also with better dietary choices. Earlier this year, the Obama administration also released new dietary guidelines that went along with this theme.
Declaring War on Sugar
The American dietary guideline is a publication released every five years, but this is the first time the guidelines have put a specific limit on a type of food. According to the 2015-2020 version, sugar should be limited to 10% of daily calories. This equates to 10 teaspoons of sugar on a daily basis, when the typical American consumes an average of 22 teaspoons on a daily basis.What can you do to limit your sugar intake? Here are a few suggestions:
- Read Labels. Though you may not be downing Coke by the liter, chances are your intake of sugar is higher than you think. Added sugar can be found in products that don’t taste sweet including bread, tomato sauce, and salad dressings. Knowing the many different ways sugar can be listed on a label including high fructose corn syrup, sucralose and molasses can help you accurately track your sugar intake.
- Pile on the Protein. By increasing your protein and healthy fat intake, you will stay fuller longer and reduce the sugary cravings.
- Don’t be Fooled by Artificial Sugars. These items lack any nutritional value and are a waste of calories.
- Add Flavor with Spices. Cinnamon, nutmeg and even ginger are great ways to add flavor without adding sugar or calories.
- Avoid Sugary Drinks. Soda is not the only culprit. Fruit juices, sports drinks and even flavored water have more sugar than you may realize.
Pediatric Dentists in sugar land, Texas Agree…
Excess sugar intakes can lead to many health problems including diabetes, tooth decay and heart disease. By encouraging our patients to reduce the amount of sugar in their diet, a pediatric dentist in Sugar Land, Texas may see fewer cases of early tooth decay.