Understand the sugar amount on a food label
Tell total sugar from added sugar and check the serving size.
The total sugars line includes sugars already in a food and sugars added when it is made. Added sugars is part of that total.
A made-up label has 12 grams of total sugars, including 5 grams of added sugars. It has 12 grams in all, not 17.
US labels give a % Daily Value for added sugars, but not for total sugars. ChatGPT can explain the lines; it should not choose your food limits.
- Check which serving the numbers describe.
- Find total sugars. Then find the line for added sugars.
- Keep the two lines separate when doing math.
- Check: two example servings have 24 grams total sugars, including 10 grams added.
Use this made-up label. Each serving has 12 grams of total sugars, of which 5 grams are added sugars. Show both amounts for two servings. Make clear that added sugars is part of the total.
Paste the message into ChatGPT, then fill in any blanks before you send it. ChatGPT opens in a new tab. Opening it does not send the message.
Use the actual pack. A claim on the front may not show the full sugar amount.
Sources and more help
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