Anything in excess can lead to weight gain. Consuming sugar in moderation is not the problem. The problem arises when people overindulge in high sugar foods, which tend to make you crave more sugar. Speak with your dietitian about how you can cut back on your sugar intake.
Sugar comes from many foods, including sugary snacks such as cookies, cakes, pies, or white bread, rice or pasta. These foods provide very little nutrition, and people tend to overindulge in them. If you consume an additional 500 kilocalories per day from these items (approximately 5 cookies) these foods can lead to a 1 pound weight gain per week.
Excess calories from any type of food can cause weight gain. Sugar only has 4 calories a gram. However, a 20 fluid ounce bottle of soda can have 325 calories. Over time this amount of soda, energy drinks, or sports drinks could cause weight gain. Added sugars make up around 16 percent of the total calories in American diets. If you are trying to lose weight, make sure that you get important nutrients from milk before spending excess calories on sweetened beverages.
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.