Here I want to share with you an info about added sugars. I got this article from the Anmum Club Malaysia that usually post in my inbox. I think, it is interesting to share with you guys. The title was An Open Letter to All Parents. Here is the article, enjoy your reading! ;)
There are many growing up milk powders available in Malaysia and all are a rich source of essential nutrients for children. Two months ago, we gave all Malaysian parents a healthier choice of growing up milk powder for their children. Anmum Essential has the essential nutrients children need without the added sugars.
Since then, there has been a lot of different information about added sugars. In this open letter to you, we’d like to share some facts about sugar so that you can make an informed decision about the growing up milk powder you purchase for your child.
Fact 1: Sugars are sugars
Do not be confused by all of the different names being used – natural sugars, added sugars, natural plant sugars, corn syrup solids, sucrose and glucose syrup solids. In this context, they are all basically the same. One is not better than the other. They all provide extra calories and they all end up the same inside a child’s body.
Fact 2: Too much added sugars is the problem
Sugars are not necessarily bad as they can help provide the energy that children need. All milks already contain some natural sugars. However, when the level of added sugars in growing up milk powder becomes excessive, it is completely unnecessary; it does not align with any local or international recommendations; and it can increase the risk of health problems for children now and in the future.
Fact 3: ‘Carbohydrates’ in milk powder consist of only sugars
Under Malaysian food labelling regulations, fibre is not included in the total carbohydrate level declared in the Nutrition Information Panel (NIP). It is declared separately. The number for ‘carbohydrate per serve’ in the NIP is made up of only two things:
i. Sugars that are naturally present in the milk powder: This is called lactose and the natural healthy level in a glass of regular milk is approximately 11g - 12g per serve.
Sugars that are added to the milk powder: Corn syrup solids, sucrose and glucose syrup solids are the main added sugars ingredients used in growing up milk powders. These are not naturally present in milk; they are added sugars. This means that in growing up milk powder, anything higher than 11g - 12g for ‘carbohydrate per serve’ is actually added sugars.
With these three facts, we urge you to do three things in order to make an informed decision about your child’s growing up milk powder:
Request 1: Check your child’s pack of growing up milk powder – remember, anything higher than 11g - 12g under ‘carbohydrate per serve’ is added sugars.
Request 2: Taste your child’s growing up milk – notice how sweet it is.
Request 3: Talk to others about what you’ve found out – your friends, family and doctor.We sincerely hope that this open letter helps to give you a better understanding of added sugars in growing up milk powders. More importantly, we hope that the information in this letter allows you to assess your current choice of growing up milk powder and help you make an informed decision about whether it is the right one for your child.
here's another interesting view from the Nutrition Society of Msia - http://www.mmail.com.my/content/71940-much-ado-about-milk
ReplyDeleteAs the problem of obesity becomes more and more prevalent in modern Malaysian society today, the scapegoat for many is sugar in milk.
Individuals, who are overweight or obese are those with an excessive intake of calorie (energy) compared to the amount used in daily activities. The excess calories are converted to fat and then deposited in the body as fat and the person becomes overweight, while obesity is a result of being excessively overweight.
"Milk certainly does not cause obesity, either when consumed on its own or when consumed with other drinks, with coffee and tea. No one single food can be said to cause obesity," said Dr Tee.
It is more important to pay greater attention to excessive fat intake like oily and fatty foods. Excessive consumption of carbohydrates also results in too much energy which is not used for daily activity. Hence, excessive intake of rice, bread, cereals, and sugar should be avoided.
thanks for the additional info farha! ;)
ReplyDelete