Published: November 10, 2008 11:05 am            

Extension Service – sugar use

Recently, while searching Cooperative Extension Web sites for information on Halloween safety, I found the following article written by Renee Cassidy, Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Science in Swain County.

I asked Renee’s permission to use her article since it contains some excellent information and advice, and why reinvent the wheel?

Candy Apples, Pumpkin Pie, Visions of Sugar Plums: These are sentinels of several “sweet” holidays approaching us, just as the rate of obesity in North Carolina rapidly nears 30 percent.

This season, consider alternatives to sugary treats, for your health and that of your family and community.

Diets high in refined sugars can promote obesity, while increasing the risks of Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease as well as tooth decay.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that a person who consumes a 2,000-calorie diet (an average adult) should not consume more than 40 grams of refined sugars, or 10 teaspoons per day.

That is the equivalent of one 12-ounce can of regular soda. Children’s sugar intake should be limited as much as possible.

Currently, the average American consumes about 150 pounds of sugar every year, or 46 teaspoons (almost one cup) of added sugar per day – over four times the recommended limit.

One study found that the average added sugar consumption for children ages 2 to 5 was 15 teaspoons per day, the equivalent of one and a half cans of soda.

Sugar-sweetened soft drinks contribute to 7 percent or more of total calories consumed, representing the largest single food source of calories in the American diet.

The rise in obesity and Type 2 diabetes parallels the increase in soft drink consumption in the United States.

Several studies have found an association between sugar-sweetened beverages and incidence of childhood obesity.

According to the Census Bureau, Americans eat an average of 25 pounds of candy a year, nearly half a pound per week.

Halloween seems to start us on the downward spiral of overindulging.

However, Halloween can also be a perfect opportunity to teach kids about healthy eating.

If your kids do get Halloween treats, help make that food a part of a healthy eating plan by establishing the following guidelines before children go trick-or-treating:

n Set limits about when candy can be eaten and how much candy is appropriate

n Show your kids that it’s ok to eat candy in moderation as part of a healthy eating plan

n Encourage kids to bring home all of their candy for you to inspect. Make sure each piece is wrapped well to prevent food contamination by hand-born prevent extra litter of candy wrappers on the side of the road.

n Do your part to promote healthy eating this Halloween, by handing out alternatives to candy. Fun stickers, pencils and temporary tattoos are good options.

n You can also hand out small granola bars, fruit, whole grain crackers or baked chips, so that kids are getting more of the healthy carbohydrates and less sugar. Together, we can help decrease the rate of obesity in our state and still enjoy an abundant holiday season.

If you have questions about limiting sugar or other nutrition questions, all the N.C. Cooperative Extension Office at (336) 318-6000. We will be glad to help you.



Carolyn Langley is the county extension director for the Randolph County Center of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service in Asheboro. She can be reached at (336) 318-6000.

        

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