You have a cereal that contains 12 grams of added sugar. How many teaspoons of sugar is this?
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
There are approximately 3 teaspoons of sugar in 12 grams of added sugar.
Explanation:
To convert grams of sugar into teaspoons, the standard conversion is:
1 teaspoon of sugar = 4 grams of sugar
This conversion is based on the density and volume of granulated sugar, where 1 teaspoon (a volume measure) weighs about 4 grams. Given this relationship, the calculation becomes a simple division: 12 grams4 grams per teaspoon=3 teaspoons\frac{12 \text{ grams}}{4 \text{ grams per teaspoon}} = 3 \text{ teaspoons}
Therefore, 12 grams of added sugar is equal to 3 teaspoons of sugar.
Understanding this conversion is important because many food labels list sugar in grams, while health guidelines and common knowledge often reference teaspoons. For example, the American Heart Association recommends that women limit added sugar to about 6 teaspoons (24 grams) per day and men to about 9 teaspoons (36 grams) per day. Consuming a cereal with 12 grams of added sugar already reaches half or more of the daily limit in just one serving.
This highlights the importance of checking nutrition labels, especially for processed foods like cereals, where added sugars can be high. Excessive sugar intake is linked to various health concerns such as weight gain, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and tooth decay. By converting grams to teaspoons, it becomes easier to visualize the actual amount of sugar being consumed and make more informed dietary choices. For parents and caregivers, this also helps in making better food decisions for children, who are especially vulnerable to the long-term effects of high sugar consumption.