Rethink your drink: Beware of hidden sugar

Sugary drinks are everywhere and, even worse, can be quite tempting. We know they taste good, and our taste buds have been trained to love them, but they serve no nutritional value and can be detrimental to your health and waistline. Drinking just one regular soda each day equals up to 32 pounds of sugar each year.

Consuming drinks full of sugar and nothing nutritious can lead to an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes and obesity. Many people are getting too much sugar from unnatural foods and drinks. Natural sugar comes from fruit, honey, maple syrup, cane sugar, agave nectar and others. Although you don’t want to consume too much sugar, it’s better to get it from natural sources rather than sugary drinks and unnatural foods.

Sports drinks, energy drinks and fruit juice can have just as much sugar in them as a regular soda, meaning you should limit your consumption of those, too. Start limiting your intake of sugary drinks by taking small steps to decrease the amount of soda and other drinks you consume each day.

Watch this video in which nutrition educator Katie Johnson explains more about sugary drinks and how you can change your habits: