Added sugars make up 13 percent of American adults' calorie intake, according to new government data from 2005 to 2010.


According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, calories from sugars and solid fats should only make up 5 to 15 percent of our total calories each day.


The new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report also shows that men consume more total calories from sugar than women, though there is not a difference between the sexes when looking at the percentage of sugar intake in total consumed calories.


Foods are the biggest source of Americans' added sugars, with 67 percent of calories from added sugars coming from food and 33 percent of calories from added sugars coming from drinks, researchers also found, and most of the added sugar calories are coming from foods eaten right in the home.


Other key points of the new report:

- African American men and women consume more calories from added sugars than white or Latino men and women.

- Americans consume more added sugars from foods at home than from out of the home.

- Consumption of added sugars goes down with age. For example, added sugars make up 14.1 percent of calories for men ages 20 to 39, and only 10.7 percent of calories for men ages 60 and older. And added sugars make up 14.5 percent of calories for women ages 20 to 39, but only 11.2 percent of calories for women ages 60 and older.

- Added sugar consumption seems to be tied to income level. For example, added sugars made up 14.1 percent of calories for men in the lowest income level in the study, compared with 11.5 percent of calories for men in the highest income level. For women, added sugars made up 15.7 percent of calories for those in the lowest income level, compared with 11.6 percent of calories for those in the highest income level.


The data from the report is based on results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which involves dietary recall surveys of people throughout the U.S.


A recent study of added sugar consumption in kids also showed that added sugars are largely coming from foods, not drinks, in the diet. USA Today reported on the National Center for Health Statistics, which came out last year, showing that 59 percent of kids' added sugars are from foods, and that an average of 16 percent of kids' daily calories come from added sugars.


Research on added sugar is important because studies have linked it with a variety of health ills. Most recently, a study published in the journal PLoS ONE showed an association between added sugar and Type 2 diabetes rates -- even after taking into account calorie intakes and obesity levels.


Also on HuffPost:






  • Yogurt


    Yogurt is often part of a healthy diet, but it's easy to focus on fat and calcium and forget about checking the sugar content. <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500165_162-5377915.html" target="_hplink">Yogurt will naturally have about 12 grams of sugar</a> per 6-ounce serving, Keri Glassman, R.D. told "The Early Show", but many people choose artificially-sweetened brands.

    An 8-ounce container of vanilla can run <a href="http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/dairy-and-egg-products/107/2" target="_hplink">around 31 grams of sugar</a> and a 6-ounce container of fruit-flavored yogurt can set you back <a href="http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/dairy-and-egg-products/108/2" target="_hplink">32 grams</a>. Also, keep in mind that different brands make their containers varying sizes, so be sure to read nutrition labels closely.

    But there's one stat to steer clear of at all costs: Any yogurt with <a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-242-300--11891-0,00.html" target="_hplink">30 grams or more</a> -- more than a Snickers bar -- is "pure garbage" Jayne Hurley, a senior nutritionist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, told <em>Runner's World</em>.

    If you're looking for a lighter option, <a href="http://health.usnews.com/health-news/diet-fitness/diet/articles/2011/09/30/greek-yogurt-vs-regular-yogurt-which-is-more-healthful" target="_hplink">Greek yogurt naturally has less sugar</a>, thanks to the straining process that gives it that thick consistency.


    <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/donhomer/6950739451/" target="_hplink">Michael Bentley</a></em>




  • Tomato Sauce


    A serving of canned or bottled tomato sauce is usually about half of a cup, but most of us eat closer to <a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/health_blog/6_surprising_sources_of_sugar" target="_hplink">a cup of sauce with our noodles</a>, according to <em>EatingWell</em> magazine.

    A number of brands pack <a href="http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/sugar-shockers-foods-surprisingly-high-in-sugar?page=3" target="_hplink">11 or 12 grams into a half-cup serving</a>, making a cup of sauce on par with a Twinkie in terms of sugar.


    <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21560098@N06/6652097393/" target="_hplink">Nina Matthews Photography</a></em>




  • Granola Bars


    Granola bars seem like a healthy pick, especially compared to a candy bar, but when you take a closer look at some brands, there may not actually be much of a difference between the two. Steer clear of any with sugar listed <a href="http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/blogs/fitstop/2011/11/22/healthy-eating/best-worst-cereal-granola-bars/" target="_hplink">in the top three or four ingredients</a>, Elisa Zied, R.D., told <em>Fitness</em> magazine.

    Depending on the <a href="http://health.usnews.com/health-news/diet-fitness/articles/2009/08/24/foods-surprisingly-high-in-added-sugar" target="_hplink">brand and the size of the bar</a>, a serving may have anywhere from 11 to <a href="http://www.clifbar.com/food/products_clif_bar/6311" target="_hplink">22 grams of sugar</a>.


    <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/alejandraowens/5365306483/" target="_hplink">Alejandra Owens</a></em>




  • Fat-Free Salad Dressing


    When manufacturers cut out the fat in your favorite salad dressings, they have to add <em>something</em> to keep some taste in there, and that something <a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/health_blog/6_surprising_sources_of_sugar" target="_hplink">is often sugar</a>.

    A serving of salad dressing is generally a couple of tablespoons -- but restaurants especially can be very heavy-handed: You could be eating up to a cup of dressing. Fat-free French packs <a href="http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fats-and-oils/7181/2" target="_hplink">42 grams of sugar</a>, Italian, <a href="http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fats-and-oils/7204/2" target="_hplink">20 grams</a> and fat-free Thousand Island, <a href="http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fats-and-oils/7203/2" target="_hplink">43</a>, just to name a few.


    <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evelynishere/3717132199/" target="_hplink">EvelynGiggles</a></em>




  • Muffins


    Of course, baked goods contain sugar. But muffins -- especially bran muffins -- are often considered healthier picks when compared to obvious offenders like doughnuts. In reality, though, today's muffins have become so super-sized, they're packed with sky-high amounts of sugar. A range of muffins surveyed by WebMD clocked in everywhere from 16 to a whopping <a href="http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/sugar-shockers-foods-surprisingly-high-in-sugar?page=2" target="_hplink">32 grams of sugar</a>.


    <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/artbystevejohnson/4772259287/" target="_hplink">Steve A Johnson</a></em>




  • Canned Fruit


    There's plenty of natural sugar in fruit, but the particular problem with canned or other packaged varieties is that many are packed in sugar-laden syrup. Even in light syrup, a one-cup serving of <a href="http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/1994/2" target="_hplink">canned peaches can have 32 grams of sugar</a> and <a href="http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/2009/2" target="_hplink">pears can have around 30</a>.




  • Smoothies


    They seem like a great way to get some extra fruit and low-fat dairy in your diet, but smoothies can be overly sweet. Of course, some of the sugars are naturally found in yogurt, milk and fruit, but commercially prepared smoothies often list added sugar high up on the ingredients list. Popular brands can contain anywhere from <a href="http://www.jambajuice.com/component/nutfacts/type/33" target="_hplink">38 grams of sugar</a> to <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/07/14/mcdonalds-smoothies-more-calories-than-a-cheeseburger/" target="_hplink">70 grams</a>, to <a href="http://www.smoothieking.com/smoothies/nutritional-chart.php" target="_hplink">over 100</a>, depending on the ingredients and the size.

    Your best bet is to <a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/health_blog/6_surprising_sources_of_sugar" target="_hplink">make your own at home with fresh fruit and nonfat yogurt</a>.


    <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sweetonveg/4527956733/" target="_hplink">SweetOnVeg</a></em>




  • Cereal


    Late last year, the Environmental Working Group, a public health nonprofit, took a close look at how much sugar we spoon into our bowls for breakfast. The findings on popular cereals is alarming: The worst offender -- Kellogg's Honey Smacks -- contains <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/07/cereals-sugar_n_1132025.html" target="_hplink">20 grams of sugar per serving</a>. Over 40 other picks contained more than 11 grams of sugar per serving, more than three Chips Ahoy! cookies.


    <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/vox_efx/2912194967/" target="_hplink">Vox Efx</a></em>




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