Food & nutrition · Sugar
Sugar grams to teaspoons converter.
Turn the grams of sugars on a label into level teaspoons of granulated sugar, and compare the total with the Health Canada Daily Value.
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Teaspoons
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How many teaspoons is a gram of sugar?
A level teaspoon of granulated sugar weighs about 4.1 g: the King Arthur ingredient chart gives 198 g for a cup, and a US cup is 48 teaspoons, so 198 / 48 = 4.125 g. Divide the grams of sugars by 4.125 for teaspoons. The "Sugars" line on a Canadian label includes sugars naturally in milk and fruit as well as added sugar, so teaspoons here describe the amount, not whether it was added. Health Canada's Daily Value for sugars is 100 g.
Worked example. A drink with 39 g of sugars is 9.5 teaspoons (39 / 4.125), which is 39% of the 100 g Daily Value and well above the 15% "a lot" level. Two servings would be 78 g, 18.9 teaspoons and 78% of the Daily Value.
Frequently asked questions
How many grams of sugar are in a teaspoon?
About 4.1 g for granulated sugar, from the King Arthur chart of 198 g per cup and 48 teaspoons per US cup. Many people round it to 4 g.
Does the label count added sugar?
The Sugars line counts all sugars, including those naturally in fruit and milk. Check the ingredient list for added sugars.
What is the Daily Value for sugars?
100 g for adults and children 4 and over, and 50 g for food made for children 1 to under 4, per the Health Canada table.
What counts as a lot of sugar on a label?
Health Canada says 15% DV or more is a lot and 5% DV or less is a little.
Sources
Checked
- King Arthur Baking: Ingredient weight chart
- Health Canada: Table of daily values (nutrition labelling)
- Health Canada: Nutrition labelling, nutrition facts tables
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Scope
The teaspoon figure is for granulated sugar; liquid sweeteners and brown sugar pack differently. General information, not medical or dietetic advice. Needs differ with age, health conditions, pregnancy and medication, so talk to a registered dietitian or your doctor about your own targets.