f you’re like most people today, the answer is yes — and often without even realizing it. Next time you reach for a soda or sweet treat, think of these recent ‘scary statistics’ that clearly depict a nation that is hooked on sugar…
Sugary, Yet Scary Statistics:
* SUGAR from soda & other sweetened beverages is the #1 source of calories in the American diet . — USDA Research Center at Tufts University
* The AVERAGE American drinks 2.5 sodas per day — the average teenage boy drinks 3-4 sodas per day.
* ONE SODA or sweetened beverage per day increases the risk of obesity in children by 60% . ~ The Lancet
* Since 1983, ADDED sugar in processed foods has increased by more than 30% and the average American now consumes more than 33 teaspoons of refined SUGAR per day.
* The prevalence of ASTHMA increased by 75% from 1980-1994 . ~ U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services
* Poor eating habits, especially consumption of candy, SODA & other sugary foods, can cause asthma . ~ Dr. Sonja Kierstein, Nestle Research Center
* TYPE 2 diabetes — a largely sugar-related illness —increased 70% among those 30-39 years from 1990-1998.
* TYPE 2 diabetes, which was previously known as adult onset diabetes because it rarely struck those under 50, is now in EPIDEMIC proportions among our children.
* The C.D.C. predicts that more than 1 in 3 children born in the year 2000 will become DIABETIC. For those who are black or Hispanic, the estimate is closer to HALF.
* The percentage of children & adolescents diagnosed with type 2 diabetes increased from less than 1% twenty years ago to 27% in 2002. ~Texas Children’s Hospital
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The first step in recovering from sugar-aholism is to make the switch to foods made with less-refined, natural sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup or stevia. There are more choices than ever before at your local health food store. Or you can make your own, like these homemade soda recipes.
For more information and inspiration, view The Sugar Beast slide show.