How Much Sugar is in Your Breakfast?

Ever think you’re doing something healthy, and then find out that it’s not so great for you? We had that experience lately when we examined a “healthy breakfast” of juice, oatmeal, and yogurt. To our horror, we found that this seemingly benign meal was delivering twice the recommended amount of sugar that should have been consumed in an entire day!

How is this possible? It’s all in the details.

The meal we examined contained orange juice (23 grams of sugar), brown sugar instant oatmeal (18 grams of sugar), and strawberry-flavored yogurt (26 grams of sugar). That’s 67 grams—or 16 teaspoons—of the white stuff. All for breakfast.

Four grams of sugar equals a teaspoon. Anything over 8 teaspoons of sugar a day is not recommended for most people. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends women limit themselves to 25 grams a sugar daily—that’s closer to 6 teaspoons. The average American eats 22 teaspoons a sugar a day. With all the sugar hidden in prepared food, it becomes clear just how easy it is to overindulge!

But with knowledge comes power. Here’s the morning makeover that delivers less sugar, and it will make you feel better too!

Eat plain oatmeal for zero sugar. After checking out the sugar content in most fruit juices, a glass of water with freshly squeezed lemon seems most refreshing. A serving of plain yogurt contains only 12 grams of sugar. If you must sweeten your yogurt a bit, try just a dab of honey or jam. Your body will thank you!