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Signs of the Times Australia / NZ edition — lifestyle, health, relationships, culture, spirituality, people — published since 1886 |
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Signs of the Times Australia / NZ edition — lifestyle, health, relationships, culture, spirituality, people — published since 1886 |
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A recent report has been attacked by the sugar industry because it contains a recommendation to limit sugars to less than 10 per cent of daily calorie intake.
WHO reports
Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases, published by the World Health Organisation (WHO), was authored by an international group of 30 experts. These independent professionals worked with around 30 of their peers to review the best currently available evidence on diet and its relationship with disease. The report is an update of a landmark publication released in 1990.
key recommendations
The report recognises that what we eat and how much we move not only influences our existing health, but determines whether we will develop diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
No surprises in the advice to eat more fruits and vegetables, wholegrain breads and cereals and to reduce the levels of fats (especially animal fats) and salt. What is new is their recommendation to limit sugars, as these add significant calories without nutrients, and can promote weight gain. Estimates reveal that for each additional can of soft drink consumed daily (nine spoons of sugar), the risk of a child becoming obese increases by 60 per cent!
There is also conclusive evidence that sugar causes dental caries, despite the ability of adequate fluoride to reduce caries by 20-40 per cent in children.
set a sugar limit
A 10 per cent sugar limit means restricting sugar to about 10 teaspoons per day for women and 14 teaspoons for men. If this sounds generous, remember it includes hidden forms of sugar, such as in breakfast cereal, biscuits, desserts as well as table sugar. The depressed sugar industry is disgruntled, as they would rather have 25 per cent limit, which is suggested by other more lenient reports.
Click here for a great sugar free recipe.
Extract from Signs of the Times, September 2003.
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