Barbara Karafokas - Holistic Nutritionist MSc.
  • Home
  • About Barbara
  • Work With Me
  • Store
  • E-Courses
  • Blog
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Freebies
  • Testimonials
  • Contact

Do you know how much sugar is in your child's fruit drink ? 

7/4/2016

0 Comments

 
Researchers from the University of Liverpool and colleagues from Action on Sugar have assessed the sugar content of over 200 fruit drinks marketed at children and have found them to be "unacceptably high."

Almost half the products assessed contained 19g or the equivalent to five teaspoons of sugar which is a child’s entire daily recommended maximum sugar intake. To be honest, even the maximum recommended amount seems to be too much.

The researches assessed the sugar content of 200ml UK branded and supermarket own label   beverages labeled as - fruit juice drinks, 100% natural juices, and smoothies marketed specifically to children.

Maximum sugar intake in one drink
'Free' sugars were measured using the labels on the packaging. The sugars taken into account were the likes of glucose, fructose, sucrose, and table sugar, which are added by the manufacturer, and naturally occurring sugars in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit juice concentrates, but not the naturally occurring sugars found in whole fruits and vegetables, which the body metabolises differently and which act to curb energy intake.

The results highlighted wide variations in the amount of free sugars between different types of drink and within the same type of product.

Almost half the products assessed contained at least a child's entire daily recommended maximum sugar intake of 19g or five teaspoons, show the findings.

These come ahead of the publication of the UK government's childhood obesity strategy.

Smoothies are worst offenders…
With an increase in public awareness regarding the detrimental effects of sugar sweetened drinks on children’s teeth and waistlines has encouraged many parents to opt for seemingly healthier fruit juice and smoothie alternatives.

Unfortunately, according to the research, these parents have been mislead !

 The content of sugar in fruit drinks, including natural fruit juices and smoothies tested, is unacceptably high. Surprisingly smoothies are amongst the worst offenders.

The product labels contained a reference of the intake which is line with European law, BUT this figure applies to an active average sized grown woman ! So it is absolutely inappropriate for children.

Unnecessary amounts of sugar
As a result of the findings, the researchers make several recommendations:
  • Fruit juices, juice drinks and smoothies should not count as one of the UK government's '5 a day' recommendations, as is currently the case -- (unless the smoothies is made with fresh fruit)
  • Fruit should preferably be eaten WHOLE, not drunk as juice (fresh or pasteurized)
  • Parents should DILUTE fruit juice with water or opt for unsweetened juices, and only serve these drinks during meals
  • Portion sizes should be limited to 150 ml/day (not the current 200ml)

Professor Capewell from the researcher’s team stated that: "Manufacturers should stop adding unnecessary amounts of sugars, and therefore calories, to their fruit drink/juice/smoothie products. Our kids are being harmed for the sake of industry profits. If companies can't slash sugar voluntarily, the government should step in with statutory regulations."

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Barbara is a qualified nutritionist offering Health, Nutrition & Lifestyle Counseling. She gives Healthy weight loss advice and promotes the Mediterranean diet. She is the author of the Med Life Diet - creating healthy lifestyle habits and attitudes for life !

    Archives

    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About Barbara
  • Work With Me
  • Store
  • E-Courses
  • Blog
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Freebies
  • Testimonials
  • Contact