If you have listened to the news recently or read a magazine recently, you have seen that extra sugar is linked to the growing obesity epidermic and related illnesses. But how much is too much?

The American heart Association has come out with some specific guidelines. Most women should consume no more than 6 teaspoons or 25 grams. Men, on the other hand should have no more than 9 teaspoons or 37.5 grams per day. Sugar has 4 calories per gram. Therefore women whould have about 100 calories of extra sugars in a day. Men are allowed 150 calories per day. It is pretty easy to go over the limit. In fact most Americans do.

How much added sugars does the average American eat in a day? Twenty-two teaspoons or 335 calories.

What foods provide these sugars? Sodas, other sweetened beverages like fruit drinks, candy and breakfast cereals.

To tell if sugar has been added to a food, check the ingredient list on the label for any form of sugar. Some of the words that would mean sugar is in the food include: brown sugar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, malt syrup, honey, molasses, agave nectar, evaporated cane juice, fruit juice concentrate, sucrose, glucose or raw sugar. Some foods like ketchup have a little sugar added for flavor. Some foods have sugars occurring in them naturally such as fructose in fruits and lactose in milk. These sugars are ok since they have vitamins and minerals in them.

Reading labels and watching what you eat can help you keep you from the growing obesity epidermic and related illnesses.