NuStart Block · Nutrition
Added Sugar: Spot It & Reduce It
Read one label. Find one change that fits your day.
About 3 minutes · A short lesson and one small step
Up Front: The “Added Sugars” line tells you how much sugar was added to a packaged food or drink. Start there, check the serving size, and choose a change you’d like to try.
- Spot it
- Check the amount
- Make it yours
Why It Matters
Added sugar can show up in everyday choices, including drinks, cereals and flavored yogurt. Reading the label gives you a clearer way to compare them. You can enjoy sweet foods while making room for the choices that work for you.
1 · Spot it
What to Know: Find the “Includes” Line
A closer look at sugar
ONE CONTAINER · ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE
Includes 8 g Added Sugars
4 g naturally occurring + 8 g added = 12 g total
Total Sugars includes naturally occurring sugar, such as sugar in milk or fruit, plus any added sugar.
Added Sugars is already part of that total. In this example, 8 of the 12 grams were added. The total stays 12 grams.
“Includes” is the clue. Read it as “of the total,” rather than “in addition to.”
The ingredient list can show sweeteners such as cane sugar, honey or syrup. Use the Added Sugars line to find the amount.
2 · Check the amount
Match the label to what you eat or drink
Check the serving size and servings per container. Nutrition amounts are usually for one serving; some labels also show the whole package.
10 g added sugar per serving × 2 servings = 20 g
If you drink the whole bottle, that’s 20 grams of added sugar. This is an illustrative example.
Compare similar products using the same serving amount. Added sugar is one useful detail; consider the rest of the food, your preferences and what fits your budget, too.
Quick check: 12 g Total Sugars includes 8 g Added Sugars. What’s the total?Select to show or hide the answer
12 grams. The 8 grams of added sugar are included in the 12 grams, so you count them once.
3 · Make it yours
Try This: Keep the Part You Enjoy
Choose one everyday food or drink. Try a small adjustment that still tastes good to you.
Your usual drink
Try a little less sugar, honey or sweetened creamer in your coffee or tea.
Your breakfast
Mix plain yogurt with some of your favorite flavored yogurt. Add fruit if you like.
Your next shop
Compare two similar cereals or sauces. See whether an option with less added sugar appeals to you.
Your One Small Step
Today, look at the label on one food or drink you already use. Choose one change to test this week. Afterward, notice what you enjoyed and what you’d adjust.
Take a moment: What would make your choice easy to repeat on a busy day?
Bottom Line
Find “Added Sugars,” check the serving size, and make one choice that fits your life. You get to decide where to start.
Ready for the next step?
The next page asks for your name, email and employer, with optional reflection questions. Submit that form to record your completion.
Complete this BlockBack to NuStart Blocks