Know your sugar limits

Person

Estimated calorie requirements
(upper limit for an active person)

Guidelines for daily added sugar consumption

Toddler (age 2–3)

1,400

16g (4 teaspoons)

Teen boy (age 14–18)

3,200

96g (24 teaspoons)

Teen girl (age 14–18)

2,400

48g (12 teaspoons)

Adult male (age 31–50+)

3,000

72g (18 teaspoons)

Adult female (age 31–50+)

2,200

36g (9 teaspoons)

Source: USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005.

—C.M.

Note: Added sugars do not include naturally occurring sugars found in milk or fruit. Numbers suggested are not recommendations for how much added sugar to consume; they represent amounts that can be eaten without overconsuming calories.