Sugar in the Context of the Total Diet

Putting Added Sugars and Sugar Intake into Perspective of the Total Diet

We all know that there is a serious obesity problem in the United States. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that during a 40-year period, Americans’ daily consumption went up by more than 450 calories.¹ Not to mention, as a society, we move a lot less.^{2, 3}

In 1970, people were consuming 2,024 calories each day. Fast-forward to 2010 (the most recent calorie data), and that figure jumped to 2,476—nearly a 25% increase in calories. But added sugars didn’t make up a very big percentage of the increased intake. Over that same period, added sugars consumption increased only from 20.8 tsp/day to 22.9 tsp/day, a 10% increase of 34.5 kcals/day. Calories from added fats and oils have increased by 225 kcals/day, a 66% increase, and calories from grains have increased by 116 kcals/day, a 28% increase.¹

CALORIES BY FOOD GROUP⁴

Daily per capita total calories and calories from added sugars, added fats and oils, and grains¹

Going wayyyy back – total diet perspective

The calories contributed by major food groups have shifted over the years. Here’s a look at the makeup of the total calories in our diet and the way they’ve changed since 1909.⁵