Why and how you should halve our sugar intake
The World Health Organisation has advised halving the amount of sugar we have on a daily basis in an attempt to crack down on climbing health problems within the population.
The current daily allowance of sugar per person is 12 teaspoons. It has been advised that cutting this down to 6 teaspoons could begin to curb the ever-increasing obesity issue – this lower limit is more than what is contained within a 50g mars bar.
Did you know that all processed foods contain sugar? Much of this sugar is hidden within savoury foods that you wouldn’t necessarily expect sugar to be in.
According to The Telegraph, Senior Health Official Mr van der Velpen cites research claiming that sugar interferes with appetite and makes people carry on eating long after they are full – this constant overeating, especially of the wrong things will only increase levels of obesity and chronic disease among individuals.
There has also been evidence to show that sugar contributes to the development of a range of diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease. This means that you needn’t be overweight to be at risk of such diseases, you simply need to eat the wrong foods.
A study published in the Feb. 27 (2013) issue of the journal PLoS One links increased consumption of sugar with increased rates of diabetes by examining the data on sugar availability and the rate of diabetes in 175 countries over the past decade. And after accounting for many other factors, the researchers found that increased sugar in a population’s food supply was linked to higher diabetes rates independent of rates of obesity.
Both our physical and mental health is improved by the foods we eat, so it is vitally important that we eat the right ones in order to feel and perform at our best. It is impossible to avoid sugar as it is within many vegetables, fruits and natural carbohydrates. The real message is to cut out all processed food and to eat an wide and varied diet of natural carbohydrates. We need our greens to provide us with fibre and important vitamins to keep us healthy and well.
In order to achieve this remember to always carry snacks such as unsalted and unflavoured nuts and seeds, apples, berries, raw coconut or dried coconut pieces, roasted chickpeas or chopped carrot or celery or oat cakes. Enjoy three good meals each day plus at least two healthy snacks. You won’t go hungry but ass sugar is so addictive you may find yourself craving it and perhaps facing a moment of weakness. But bear in mind the benefits for eating a healthy and balanced diet free from processed foods and hidden sugar; a healthy weight, reduced risk of illness, more physical and mental energy, improved mood and improved sleep.
A few examples of sugar contents within processed food and drink:
| Coca cola | 53g per 500ml |
| Frusli Red Berry Cereal Bar | 10.1g per bar |
| Tomato ketchup | 23.6g per 100g |
| Texas BBQ Pringles | 8.4g per tube |
| Dolmio Sweet Pepper Bolognaise Sauce | 45g per jar |
Above is just a small example of the piles of sugar hidden within processed foods and drinks. Scary huh?
