The Malaysian Insider :: Food
The Malaysian Insider :: Food |
| WHO halves sugar intake advice to 5% of daily intake Posted: 05 Mar 2014 06:26 PM PST Issuing draft guidelines calling for a new sugar limit of less than 5.0% of daily energy intake, the United Nations health agency said its recommendations were based on "the totality of evidence regarding the relationship between free sugars intake and body weight and dental caries". "Obesity now affects half a billion people in the world, and it is on the rise in all age groups and particularly in low- and middle-income countries," said Francesco Branca, the WHO's director of nutrition for health and development, adding that free sugars were a key culprit in that epidemic. Free sugars include monosaccharides and disaccharides that are added to foods by manufacturers, cooks or consumers, and sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit concentrates. Five percent of total energy intake is equivalent to around 25 grams – or around 6 teaspoons – of sugar a day for a normal weight adult. "WHO recommends reduced intake of free sugars throughout the life-course," the agency said in a statement. It said the 5.0% level should be a target for people to aim for – calling it a "conditional recommendation" – but also reiterated a "strong recommendation" that sugar should account for no more that 10% of total energy intake. "There is increasing concern that consumption of free sugars – particularly in the form of sugar-sweetened beverages – increases overall energy intake and may reduce the intake of foods containing more nutritionally adequate calories," it said. This can lead "to an unhealthy diet, weight gain and increased risk of non-communicable diseases (such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer)." Non-communicable, or chronic, diseases are the world's leading causes of ill health and death, killing more than 36 million a year with more than 90% of these premature deaths in poorer countries. Asked whether he would characterise sugar as "the new tobacco" in terms of its threat to public health if consumption levels are not reduced, Branca said sugar was one key risk factor which, combined with others like fat, salt and lack of exercise, could be compared to smoking. Research published last month in the journal Jama Internal Medicine suggested the risk of dying of heart disease is higher among people who eat a larger percentage of their calories from added sugars. And the risk was also higher for people who had seven or more sweetened drinks a day. "The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has to be done with great care – particularly in children," Branca said. "This is an area where more intense action needs to be taken." Branca acknowledged the new guidelines "may not be popular amongst sugar producers" but said the WHO would resist any unjustified pressure or lobbying from the food and sugar industries to change them. "If pressure comes on the organisation we are very well equipped to deal with (it)," he said. "I don't anticipate any problem in that regard." – Reuters, March 6, 2014. |
| Burger King kids’ meals come with low-cal fries Posted: 05 Mar 2014 04:40 PM PST In its calorie count, BK compares its "Satisfries" to its golden arched rival, saying that the lower-calorie crinkle cut spud has 40% less fat and 30% fewer calories than McDonald's fries. Overall, the reduced-calorie fry clocks in at 190 calories, 8g of fat, and 210mg of sodium for the kids' size serving. A medium-sized serving of regular BK Satisfries clocks in at 340 calories, while its regular fries are a hefty 410 calories. Satisfries were launched across the US last year and as of this week come standard with every kids' meal. As health and consumer groups continue to finger the fast food and soda industries for being the main culprits of childhood obesity, BK and McDonald's have tweaked their menu options to include apple slices, and replaced sodas with milk and chocolate milk. Wendy's also revamped its fries a few years ago, with "naturally cut" spuds cooked with the skin and sprinkled with sea salt. – AFP/Relaxnews, March 6, 2014. |
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