🥤 How to Cut Back on Soda & Sugar Sweetened Beverages
Sugar‑sweetened beverages (SSBs) — including soda, sweet tea, fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, and sweetened coffee beverages — remain the #1 source of added sugars in the American diet. According to the CDC , sugary drinks contribute 35% of all added sugars consumed in the U.S. diet. Many kids and adults drink one or more sugared beverages daily. Did you know that one 12-ounce can of soda has more than 10 teaspoons of added sugar or 42 grams of added sugar? In the South, sweet tea is especially common — and a large bottle can easily add 200 calories of added sugar in a single sitting. These calories provide no vitamins, minerals, or fiber , and they displace nutrient‑rich options like milk, water, or 100% juice. 🚨 Why Cut Back on Sugary Drinks? 1. Added sugars exceed recommended limits The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting added sugars to <10% of total calories starting at age 2 , and zero added sugars for children under age 2 . Suga...