Heart Association: Curb Your Sugar Intake

(CBS)  Two thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, and experts think eating too much sugar is part of the problem. Now, the American Heart Association has issued new guidelines to help us cut back on our sweet tooth.

Dr. Jennifer Ashton, appearing on The Early Show Thursday, said the AHA is getting very specific on how much sugar adults should consume. Women should have no more than six teaspoons, while men should limit their intake to nine teaspoons.

The average American currently consumes about 22 teaspoons each day.

The AHA is not trying to vilify sugar - but wants to raise awareness about caloric intake.

Hidden sugars can be found in ketchup, salad dressing, and even granola bars. You may think they're healthy, but they contain a lot of loaded sugar, and over the course of your day it adds up to caloric intake day.

Even a sugary soft drink can add up to 12 pounds of weight gain a year, Ashton pointed out. "Don't drink your calories."


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And for those of us with overactive metabolisms that can eat and eat and eat and not gain a pound?