Estimated calorie requirements (upper limit for an active person)
Guidelines for daily added sugar consumption
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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.