The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) recently examined the relationship between dietary carbohydrates and health. The review found that an increased consumption of sugar is linked with tooth decay, higher energy intakes, type 2 diabetes; and consumption of high sugary drinks is associated with increased weight gain in teenagers and children. As a result of these findings SACN recommends that we consume no more than 5% of free sugars from our total daily dietary intake.
What are free sugars?
Free sugars are those added to food including those naturally present in honey, syrups and unsweetened fruit juices. Sugar found naturally in milk, fruit and vegetables does not count as free sugars.
How much free sugar can we consume per day?
Seven sugar cubes 30g per day for those aged 11 onwards.
Six sugar cubes 24g per day for children aged 7-10
Five sugar cubes 19g per day for children aged 4-6
Hidden sources of sugar
Free sugars are also found in foods such as biscuits, sweets, cakes, chocolate, some fizzy and juice drinks. These are the sugary foods/drinks we should cut down on.
Useful tips on how to cut back on sugar
For further information about sugar and healthy recipes take a browse of the websites below:
How does sugar in our diet affect our health?
Do you want to know how much sugar, salt and saturated fats are in your foods?
If not then download the Change4Life Food Scanner app from our Family Healthy Lifestyle page. The Change4Life Food Scanner app is designed to quickly and easily show how much sugar, sat fat and salt is in your food and drink – just by scanning the barcode using your smartphone!
Healthy recipe – Sweet potato and spinach omelette
In our recent Cook and Eat session parents made a healthy sweet potato and spinach omelette which you can have with wholemeal bread.
Ingredients:
8 eggs
600g sweet potato peeled and cut into 2cm cubes
40g baby spinach
2 tbsp rapeseed oil
Seasoning:
Black pepper
Paprika
Fresh coriander (optional)
Method:
Preheat oven to 200°C or 180°C fan. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Place sweet potato on prepared tray and drizzle with one tbsp of rapeseed oil. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside to cool slightly. Add spinach and coriander, season and toss gently to combine.
Meanwhile, whisk eggs in a medium bowl until combined. Season with pepper. Add one tbsp of rapeseed oil to the non-stick frying pan and heat over medium heat. Add one-quarter of the egg mixture and cook for 10 seconds. Using a spatula, draw edges of omelette into centre, allowing uncooked mixture to run underneath. Repeat until egg mixture is nearly set. Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm. Repeat with remaining egg mixture to make 3 more omelettes. Spoon one-quarter of the sweet potato mixture onto half of each omelette. Fold to enclose filling. Serve.
FREE Cook and Eat courses
You can learn more about healthy food made east at our FREE, short and fun Cook and Eat cooking courses. Find out more on our Cook and Eat page or speak to our health advisors on 020 8973 3530.
Blog written by Gopika Papiah and Farhanda Shah
One You Hounslow Nutritionists
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