How Many Grams of Sugar Should I Eat Daily?

Many people are consuming more than the recommended daily limit of sugar.

WHO Guidelines

The World Health Organization recommends consuming no more than 10 percent of your daily calories in sugar. Using this rule, and based on a 2,000 calorie per day diet, sugar consumption should be limited to around 200 calories per day, or approximately 30 to 50 grams of sugar.

Guidelines Ignored

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has removed its once-specific sugar limits from its "Dietary Guidelines for Americans." The guidelines now simply state that sugar should be used "in moderation."

Bottom Line

The guideline for daily sugar intake is 10 percent of calories consumed, totaling 30 to 50 grams. According to WHO, this intake range reduces risk of dental problems and obesity associated with high sugar intake.

References

• Healthy Me: How Much Sugar is Too Much?
• WHO: Populations with High Sugar Consumption are at increased risk of chronic disease, South African researchers report
• USDA: Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Resources

• Fit Sugar: Healthy Eating Tip: Limit Your Added Sugar Intake to 40 Grams