Sugar Basics
Find out what it is; where it comes from; and more about this simple, functional ingredient.
Learn MoreThe Sugar Association offers important science-based information about sugar, where it comes from and its role in a balanced diet and lifestyle.
Our publications help explain why sugar is in foods and answer frequently asked questions about sugar. Below, you will find a wide variety of resources for parents and kids, educators, health professionals and any person looking to learn more about real sugar. Should you have a question about sugar that is not answered on our website or in our informational brochures, feel free to contact us.
Explore the publications below. You can download as a PDF (in English or Spanish), or click “Order” to request, at no charge, any of the publications listed to be shipped directly to you by completing and submitting an order form.
Sugar and Diabetes
This infographic includes the basic facts about sugar’s relationship to diabetes along with some quick tips for portion control.
Download (EN)Carbohydrates and Sports Nutrition
Carbohydrates play a crucial role in sports nutrition. This infographic explains that all carbohydrates are broken down into sugars so glucose (a simple sugar) can be used as fuel for the body, as well as the importance of timing carbohydrate intake for athletes.
Download (EN)What Does 10% Look Like?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting added sugars to 10% of daily calories. This infographic includes a sample daily diet that meets this recommendation.
Download (EN)Sugar is a Partner in Nutrient Delivery
Sugar does much more than just sweetening! Find information about the many functions of sugar, including its role in nutrient delivery, in this infographic.
Download (EN)Common Questions About Sugar in the Diet
Check out this collection of commonly asked questions about sugar in the diet. How much sugar can I have in a healthy diet? What about sugar-free options? And more.
Download (EN)Five Things to Know About Sugar
Download (EN)How many added sugars are in that?
Added sugars are easy to find on nutrition facts labels. This infographic includes some common foods you might consume on any given day and their contribution to daily added sugars intake.
Download (EN)Download (ES)Field to Table STEAM Packet
There is much more to sugar than you might think! Learn about sugar’s history, how it is naturally made by plants, its impact on the environment, why it is added to foods and more in this STEAM packet designed for grades 7-12.
Download (EN)Download (ES)OrderField to Table STEAM Slides
This presentation is intended to compliment the Real Sugar: Field to Table STEAM packet. It includes links to the complimentary videos within the presentation as well as slide notes.
Download (EN)OrderNational Real Sugar Day Lesson Plan
A lesson plan for grades 9-12 that teaches the origins of real sugar, where real sugar is grown, and how it functions in our diets and cooking. Includes a recipe to make to celebrate National Real Sugar Day on October 14!
Download (EN)OrderHow Well Do You Know Sugar?
This booklet provides information on what sugar is, why it is in foods, consumption trends and much more.
Download (EN)Download (ES)OrderPodcast – Sugar & Added Sugars: A Closer Look at Intake & Recommendations
Resource description: Sound Bites Podcast host Melissa Joy Dobbins, RD, invited Dr. Courtney Gaine, PhD, RD, President and CEO of the Sugar Association to discuss sugar consumption trends and dietary guidance. Earn 1.25 FREE CEU credits for listening.
Download (EN)Dietary Guidelines & Sugar
The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasizes the importance of a healthy dietary pattern as a whole, rather than focus on individual nutrients, foods, or food groups. Learn more about what they say about sugar in this infographic.
Download (EN)Download (ES)9 Misunderstandings About Sugar
What myths about sugar are you believing? The facts that go alongside those myths might be surprising to some.
Download (EN)Download (ES)OrderMaking Sense of ADDED SUGARS on the New Nutrition Facts Label
In January 2020, the Nutrition Facts Label underwent its first makeover since it debuted in 1994 and, among other changes, now includes information on added sugars.
Download (EN)Download (ES)OrderSweeteners you might find in your food
There are many different types of sweeteners in our food supply today that might be used as an alternative to table sugar. What is the source of these sweeteners? How are they made? How do they compare to sugar in terms of calories and sweetness? Find answers to those questions for some of the most popular sweeteners including sugar as a comparison.
Download (EN)Download (ES)OrderWhat are Added Sugars?
There is a lot of talk about added sugars. Here is a list of added sugars as defined by the FDA here as well as some basic info on carbohydrates.
Download (EN)Download (ES)OrderWhat is Molasses?
Download (EN)Download (ES)OrderHow is molasses made and what is it used for? This infographic includes many fast facts about molasses.
Facts About Sugar Intake
In the past 15 years, added sugars intake in the United States has decreased by nearly 25%. This infographic covers historical consumption data, sources of added sugars in the diet and intake recommendations.
Download (EN)Download (ES)OrderGet To Know Sugar
Get to know that plants that bring you real sugar: sugar beet and sugar cane.
Download (EN)Download (ES)OrderTypes of Sugar
All sugar is made from extracting sugar juice from sugar beet or sugar cane plants, and from there many types of sugar can be produced.
Download (EN)Download (ES)Where Does Sugar Come From?
Where in the U.S is sugar grown? Sugar beets and sugar cane are grown and/or refined in 17 states.
Download (EN)Download (ES)OrderSugar Beet Processing Infograph
Once sugar beets are harvested from the fields, they are processed to get the sugar the plants have already made ready for your table.
Download (EN)Download (ES)OrderSugar Cane Refining Infograph
Once sugar cane is harvested from the field, it is refined to get the sugar the plants have already made ready for your table.
Download (EN)Download (ES)OrderSugar’s Role in Food Chart
Sugar plays many functional roles in food beyond sweetness, from balancing acidity to preventing spoilage.
Download (EN)Download (ES)OrderSugar Reformulation: Commonly Used Ingredients
Efforts to reduce or remove sugar from foods and beverages require product reformulation. No single ingredient can replace real sugar’s flavor and function; when sugar is removed, often several ingredients are added. Ingredients commonly used to replace one or more functions of sugar can be found here.
Download (EN)OrderAbout the Sugar Association
The Sugar Association is the scientific voice of the U.S. sugar industry, representing beet and sugar cane growers, processors and refiners. We tell sugar’s story by sharing the facts and the science on sugar.
Download (EN)Download (ES)Farm to Table: The Adventures of Sugar Beet and Sugar Cane
This coloring book follows the journey of sugar beet and sugar cane from the farm to the table. Learn about the importance of a balanced diet and eating the right foods that give you fuel to play.
Download (EN)Download (ES)OrderOne Tooth, Two Teeth, Clean Teeth, Good Teeth
Join the cavity-free generation! This fun, hands-on brochure for children ages 4-8 is suitable for use in schools and dental offices. It’s an educational tool that introduces children to the importance of good dental care and regular visits to the dentist. It’s also available in Spanish.
Download (EN)Download (ES)OrderNo Added Sugars in Sugar
Sugar is sugar. It’s extracted from beet and cane plants and packaged as a single ingredient product. Nothing is added.
Download (EN)Consumers Give ‘Thumbs Up’ To Sugar In Latest Survey
Download (EN)Consumers Like Real Sugar: Knowing Intake Recommendations Important
The majority of consumers agree sugar comes from plants and helps food taste good. They also increasingly want to know how much sugar they can have in a balanced diet.
Download (EN)Variety’s Mountain
This colorful brochure for young children explains the importance of nutrition and physical activity in a healthy lifestyle. It’s also available in Spanish.
Download (EN)Download (ES)OrderConsumer Sweetener Awareness Still Lagging, Education Needed: 2018 Consumer Research Summary
Sugar remains the most popular sweetener. This summary looks at what nutrition information consumers are using, what they are confused about, as well as their reasons for some of their dietary choices among consumers.
Download (EN)Sweet Confusion Consumer Research Summary
Sugar is the most popular sweetener. Consumers are confused about many of the other sweeteners that appear in our foods.
Download (EN)Avoiding Misinformation
There’s a lot of information out there. Here are a few tips on how to separate fact from fiction.
Download (EN)Back to Basics: Carbohydrates and Diabetes
Get the facts on carbohydrates and their role in diabetes management, including: what carbohydrates are, why we need them and how to spot them on food labels.
Download (EN)OrderBite-Sized Tips on Portion Control
This tip sheet provides an easy visual for portioning your plate as well as tips and everyday items you can use to keep portions in check.
Download (EN)OrderSTEAM Lessons Thumb Drive
This thumb drive includes the printable version of the “Real Sugar: From the Field to the Table” STEAM packet as well as the accompanying videos for use in the classroom.
OrderResource Toolkit for Grades K-2
Download this toolkit containing educational materials recommended for children in grades K-2.
Download (EN)Resource Toolkit for Grades 3-6
Download this toolkit containing educational materials recommended for children in grades 3-6.
Download (EN)Resource Toolkit for Grades 7-12
Download this toolkit containing educational resources recommended for students in grades 7-12.
Download (EN)Resource Toolkit for Health Professionals
Download this toolkit containing resources for health professionals. Use these educational materials to help educate clients and patients.
Download (EN)Resource Toolkit for Media
Download this toolkit containing resources for educating media professionals. Use these facts to support reporting and dispel common myths.
Download (EN)
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