Limit soft drinks. Read labels looking for sugar in the ingredients list. Use more spices in lieu of sugar. Cinnamon, vanilla, spearmint and anise provide a sweet taste to food without adding sugar to calories. Sugars contain an average of 20 calories per teaspoon.
Sugar is one of the most controversial items in the diet.
Experts say it is an additive and not needed, can contribute to malnutrition if it takes the place of other nutrients, can contribute to obesity if used in excess, can lead to diabetes, can lead to hyperlipidemia - a risk factor for heart atherosclerosis, and causes tooth decay. The Michigan Department of Community Health is estimating by the year 2000 that 37 percent of Michigan adults may be overweight. Michigan was the eighth-worst in the nation in terms of weightiness. The national median of overweight adults is 29.3 percent. Michigan does mirror the national trend with an increase in prevalence in obesity in adults.