Summer is here! It’s hot outside and the kids are running around building up a thirst.
Maybe you’re packing lunches for day camps. Maybe you’re stocking the fridge for fussy teenagers. Whatever your situation, making good choices for our children is easy when we have the right information.
Everyone knows that soda pop contains high levels of sugar, but there are many other beverages that are high in sugar as well. Here’s a look at some common beverages that our kids are consuming.
Do you know the answer?
Which beverage has more sugar, Coke or Mountain Dew?
Coca-cola:
- 1 can – 39 grams / 9.75 teaspoons of sugar
- 590ml bottle – 65 grams / 16.25 teaspoons of sugar
- 1L – 108 grams / 27 teaspoons of sugar
Mountain Dew
- 1 can – 48 grams / 12 teaspoons of sugar
- 590ml bottle – 77 grams / 19.25 teaspoons of sugar
- 1L – 124 grams / 31 teaspoons of sugar
Are you surprised to learn that Mountain Dew contains more sugar than Coke?
Take a look at some other common beverages:
Red Bull- 250ml- 27 grams
Vitamin Water- 266ml- 13 grams, 591ml- 33 grams
Snapple Lemon Iced Tea- 266ml- 23 grams, 591ml- 46 grams
Minute Maid Lemonade -266ml- 27 grams, 591ml- 46 grams
Minute Maid Orange Juice – 266ml- 24 grams, 473ml- 48 grams
Apple Juice – 266ml- 26 grams, 473ml- 52 grams
Nesquick Chocolate Milk- 266ml- 29 grams
What about Gatorade? That’s an energy drink that is commonly seen on the soccer field.
The answer: 8 ounces of Gatorade contains 14 grams of sugar!
Sugar Intake Recommendations
The American Heart Association recommends that sugar intake does not exceed 37.9 grams for men and 25 grams for women.
The World Health Organization’s guidelines for children is that 10% of children’s energy may come from sugar.
The BBC notes the following recommendations:
Children ages 4-6: maximum daily allowance 19 grams, 5 tsp
Children ages 7-10: maximum daily allowance 24 grams, 6 tsp
Children aged 11+: maximum daily allowance 30 grams, 7 tsp
In 2008, the average American consumed over 60 pounds of added sugar. That’s 76.7 grams per day, or 19 teaspoons of sugar totalling 306 calories.
Added sugars are harmful to the teeth, especially sugars from liquids because the liquid sugar sits in the grooves of the teeth and is allowed to slowly breakdown the tooth enamel.
Dr. Simon Pong recommends that you examine your child’s sugary drinks this summer and strive to reduce their sugar intake. For more information, or to book a check-up for your child, please contact us.
