Eating too much sugar can be one of the worst things you can do to your body. The negative effects of consuming too much sugar can contribute to numerous health issues, like obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver and kidney disease and even cancer.
While sugar is naturally found in foods and vegetables, the danger is added sugars in processed foods. The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugars to 9 teaspoons (36 grams) per day for men and 6 teaspoons (25 grams) per day for most women (and children over the age of two). Currently, the average American consumes roughly 17 teaspoons (68 grams) of added sugars per day. That’s nearly double the recommended intake for men and triple for women!
Below are tips for reducing added sugars in your diet to make positive strides toward better health in 2021.
According to the AHA, sugary drinks contribute to almost half of the added sugar in the American diet. Avoiding soft drinks and finding suitable replacements will make a huge difference in your daily sugar intake.
Water is always best, but if you’re looking for a little more flavor, try herbal tea, water with mint or cucumber, sparkling water or even diet drinks.
Cut back on the sugar (both brown and white) you’re adding to foods and drinks you consumer regularly, i.e. coffee, tea, oatmeal, etc. Instead of adding sugar, try adding fruit!
Fresh fruit like bananas and strawberries or dried fruits like apricots, raisins and cranberries can add flavor without all the added sugar. You’ll avoid the post-meal sugar slump and feel more energized for the day!
Fruits have natural sugar which doesn’t affect your body negatively like added sugars. When it comes to canned fruits, however, they can pack a punch in added sugars. Avoid canned fruits packed in syrup, especially heavy syrup, or have added sugar in the ingredients list. Shoot for fruits canned in their own juice or water—cans labeled “in own juice” or “no added sugar.”
Whole foods are not processed or refined and are free of additives and other artificial substances that are commonly found in processed and ultra-processed foods. Eating whole foods and cooking from scratch at home when possible will reduce your daily sugar intake.
Reducing your sugar intake isn’t as simple as avoiding sweet treats. Added sugar exists in all types of foods. Some foods and drinks with added sugars can be unexpected, so it’s important to check the Nutrition Facts label. Labels for products with added sugars will list the total sugars, as well as the number of grams and percent Daily Value (%DV) for added sugars. The word “includes” before added sugars indicates the added sugars are included in the total sugars.
For example, in this product’s Nutrition Label, one serving has 12 grams of total sugars. Included in those 12 grams of sugar are 10 grams of added sugars, which represent 20% of the Daily Value for added sugars.
The Nutrition Facts label serves as a guide for comparing and choosing foods with lower added sugars. As a rule of thumb, 5% DV or less is a low source of added sugars. 20% DV or more is considered a high source of added sugars.
At the end of the day, consumption of sugar can be a tricky thing to keep track of, but with a little effort, you can make a significant difference in your daily sugar intake. If you find yourself struggling to keep up, don’t sweat it! Focus on the small changes: cut the sugar drinks and avoid adding additional sugar to your meals and beverages. When possible, cook at home and keep positive! 2021 is a brighter year already.
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We've made it easy to pay your bill online. You can sign into your My Healthy Connection secure site to make a payment, or go to our web payment portal to pay your bill. For hearing impaired services – TTY 711. To access language or LEP (Limited English Proficiency) services at no cost to you, call the number on your insurance ID card or call (951) 683-6370.
Call our billing department at (951) 782-3050.
At our Eastvale clinic, we have primary care providers for adults and children who are supported by a caring staff. Additionally, we have lab and imaging services. And when you need a specialist, you are as close as any of our other locations throughout the Inland Empire.
For hearing impaired services – TTY 711. To access language or LEP (Limited English Proficiency) services at no cost to you, call the number on your Insurance ID card or call (951) 683-6370.
We are located at:
12742 Limonite Ave. Eastvale, CA 92880 |
8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 683-6370 |
Adult Medicine |
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm | |
Pediatrics |
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm | |
Endocrinology |
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm (Out of Office Every Other Friday) | |
Imaging |
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm | |
Lab Services |
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm | (951) 739-2727 |
Occupational Medicine |
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm | (951) 739-2746 |
After Hours: Temporarily Closed | ||
Sat & Sun: Temporarily Closed |
Riverside Medical Clinic’s Brockton location is located in the heart of Riverside. In addition to having some of the area’s leading pediatricians, obstetricians and internists, this campus has about any specialist one might need.
The Brockton campus also offers urgent care, the most advanced imaging capabilities in the Inland Empire and comprehensive lab services. A complete vision center is onsite as well. Additionally, this campus has our Surgery Center, health and fitness classrooms, administrative offices and our human resources department.
The Brockton Campus has ample parking with many handicapped spots available. There is also public transportation near the main entrance. This location has doctors and specialists available Monday-Friday with Urgent Care open 7 days a week.
For hearing impaired services – TTY 711. To access language or LEP (Limited English Proficiency) services at no cost to you, call the number on your Insurance ID card or call (951) 683-6370.
We are located at:
7117 Brockton Ave. Riverside, CA 92506 |
8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 683-6370 |
Urgent Care 7117 Brockton Ave. Riverside, CA 92506 |
Mon-Fri 8:00am - 9:00pm Sat & Sun 9:00am - 9:00pm |
(951) 782-3789 |
Laboratory |
Mon-Fri 7:00am – 6:00pm Sat 7:00am – 12:00pm |
(951) 782-3637 |
Pharmacy |
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm | (951) 782-3653 |
Occupational Medicine |
Mon–Fri 8:00am – 5:00pm | (951) 782-3707 |
Weekday After hours: Mon–Fri 5:00pm – 9:00pm | ||
Sat & Sun 9:00am-9:00pm | ||
Imaging |
Mon-Fri 8:00am – 4:30pm | (951) 782-3720 |
Urgent Care Imaging Hours: Mon-Fri 4:30pm – 9:00pm Sat-Sun 10:00am - 9:00pm |
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OB/GYN & Dermatology 7160 Brockton Ave. 2nd Floor Riverside, CA 92506 |
Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 683-6370 |
Surgery Center |
(951) 782-3801 | |
Sports Clinic 7150 Brockton Ave. Suite 103 Riverside |
Mon-Fri 6:00am-8:00am | (951) 321-6338 |
Call Center |
Mon-Fri 7:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 683-6370 |
Riverside Medical Clinic’s Mission Grove location was opened to provide a more intimate setting to receive healthcare. A handful of physicians in a well-designed clinical setting provide our patients a relaxed atmosphere as they visit their physician. Patients who see their primary care physician at the Mission Grove office have direct access to all of the specialists at our other locations throughout the Inland Empire.
For hearing impaired services – TTY 711. To access language or LEP (Limited English Proficiency) services at no cost to you, call the number on your Insurance ID card or call (951) 683-6370.
We are located at:
19314 Jesse Lane Suite 100 Riverside, CA 92508 |
8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 683-6370 |
Pediatrics |
Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 782-3640 |
Laboratory |
Mon-Fri 8:30am - 1:00pm | (951) 776-4518 |
Adult Medicine |
Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 321-6539 |
Urology |
Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 776-4503 |
Riverside Medical Clinic’s Moreno Valley campus is in the Canyon Springs/Moreno Valley area. We have physicians specializing in Pediatrics to Internal Medicine.
Our Moreno Valley campus has advanced imaging and lab capabilities. Our physicians are available to see patients Monday-Friday, Urgent Care is open 7 days a week.
There is ample parking available with plenty of handicapped spots for patients and visitors.
For hearing impaired services – TTY 711. To access language or LEP (Limited English Proficiency) services at no cost to you, call the number on your Insurance ID card or call (951) 683-6370.
We are located at:
6405 Day St. Riverside, CA 92507 |
8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 683-6370 |
Urgent Care |
Mon-Fri 8:00am - 9:00pm Sat & Sun 9:00am - 9:00pm |
(951) 697-5453 |
Laboratory |
Mon-Fri 7:00am-6:00pm | (951) 697-5667 |
Pharmacy |
Temporary Hours Mon-Fri 10:00am-3:00pm Sat 9:00am - 1:00pm | (951) 697-5657 |
Occupational Medicine |
Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm | |
Weekday After Hours: 5:00pm–9:00pm | ||
Sat & Sun 9:00am–9:00pm | ||
Imaging |
Mon-Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm | |
Sat & Sun 10:00am - 9:00pm |
Riverside Medical Clinic’s Temescal Valley location has internal medicine practice practitioners, and other specialists
Our physicians see patients Monday-Friday. Our patients will be happy to know we have Urgent Care available as well.
Free ample parking with handicapped spots available for our patients and visitors.
For hearing impaired services – TTY 711. To access language or LEP (Limited English Proficiency) services at no cost to you, call the number on your Insurance ID card or call (951) 683-6370.
We are located at:
21634 Retreat Parkway Temescal Valley, CA 92883 |
8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 683-6370 |
Urgent Care 21634 Retreat Parkway |
7 Days a Week 12:00pm - 8:00pm | (951) 493-6852 |
Imaging |
Mon - Fri 8:00am - 8:00pm Sat-Sun 12:00pm - 8:00pm | |
Laboratory |
Mon - Fri 7:00am-6:00pm & Sat 7:00am-12:00pm | (951) 493-6820 |
Radiology |
Mon - Fri 8:00am - 5:30pm | (951) 493-6909 |
Occupational Medicine |
Mon - Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm | (951) 493-6929 |
After Hours 5:00pm-9:00pm | ||
Sat & Sun 12:00pm-8:00pm | ||
Call Center |
Mon - Fri 7:30am - 7:30pm | (951) 683-6370 |
Riverside Medical Clinic’s Jurupa Valley has physicians available Monday–Friday to assist patients looking for physicians from Family Practice to Radiology.
With multiple locations throughout the Inland Empire it makes the transition to a specialist convenient, should the need arise. Our physicians see patients Monday–Friday.
Ample parking is available with plenty of handicapped spots for our patients and visitors.
For hearing impaired services – TTY 711. To access language or LEP (Limited English Proficiency) services at no cost to you, call the number on your Insurance ID card or (951) 683-6370.
We are located at:
6250 Clay St. Riverside, CA 92509 |
8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 683-6370 |
Pediatrics |
Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 5:30 pm | (951) 360-5260 |
Laboratory |
Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 360-5280 |
Radiology |
Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm | (951) 360-5280 |
For Aviation Physicals please call (951) 360-5215 for available dates and times. |