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Whether you’re trying to shed pounds, manage diabetes, or boost your overall health, limiting added sugar is a good place to start. Eating too much sugar raises your risk of several chronic conditions, including obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
In the United States, the average adult gets about 13 percent of their total daily calories from added sugar, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It shouldn’t account for more than 10 percent of a healthy diet.
The bottom line? Everyone should care about sugar, not just people with diabetes. Here are expert tips and easy recipes to help you cut back.
Sources: National Health Service (UK). Sugar: the... + 6
- National Health Service (UK). Sugar: the facts. May 19, 2023.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nutrition: Get the Facts: Added Sugars. January 5, 2024.
- Lee SH, Zhao L, et al. High Added Sugars Intake among US Adults: Characteristics, Eating Occasions, and Top Sources, 2015-2018. Nutrients. 2023 Jan 4;15(2):265.
- MedlinePlus. Carbohydrates. March 25, 2024.
- American Heart Association. How Much Sugar Is Too Much? September 23, 2024.
- American Diabetes Association. Tips for Eating Well. Accessed July 28, 2025.
- Mayo Clinic. Diabetes diet: Create your healthy-eating plan. June 11, 2024.
