knowing more about high-sugar beverages · this sweet-and-sour beverage has a high sugar content....

May 2018 Knowing More about High-sugar Beverages Dear Parents, Hi ! This is EatSmart Doggie again ! Everyone praises me for being a fit and healthy eater. This is because I like drinking water and have no fondness for high-sugar beverages. The Department of Health recommends a daily intake of at least 4 to 5 glasses (approximately 240 ml each) of fluid for children and water is the best choice for fluid replenishment. However, many children prefer a variety of sweet beverages available on the market, unaware that most of them are hidden sugar traps. Inadvertently, these children take in a lot of free sugars. Apart from water, you may choose low-fat milk, low-sugar soy drink and clear soup as the main beverages for daily consumption by children. High-sugar beverages should be bought less frequently. What harm do high-sugar beverages cause? Children have a higher risk of tooth decay if their intake of free sugars is too high. An excessive energy intake will even increase the risk of obesity! Drinking fewer high-sugar beverages does much good and no harm to children’s health. Would you like to find out the sugar contents of some common beverages? Lets take a look at the table below: What are free sugars? Free sugars are … •sugars added to foods; and •sugars naturally present in foods and beverages such as honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit juice concentrates. (Reference: World Health Organization) Beverages Sugar per glass (approx. 240 ml) Features Fizzy drinks About 5 teaspoons (approx. 25g) With extremely high sugar contents, they have adverse effects on the health of children. Fresh apple juice About 4.5 teaspoons (approx. 23g) With high sugar and low dietary fibre contents, it has a lower nutritional value than whole fruit. Iced lemon tea About 4 teaspoons (approx. 19g) This sweet-and-sour beverage has a high sugar content. Those who often drink it are likely to develop a sweet tooth. Instant malted drinks About 4 teaspoons (approx. 19g) These drinks contain added sugar and are not recommended for frequent consumption. Sugar-free soy drink About 0.5 teaspoon (approx. 2g) It is a healthy and nutritious choice with a low sugar content. Water Nil Water does not lead to obesity as it has no sugar, fat and energy. (Source: Centre for Food Safety) You may occasionally give low-sugar beverages to your children, but better less than 2 times a week. To avoid spoiling their appetite for main meals, the portion should be limited to 1 glass or less. Eating and drinking in moderation is an essential lesson for children to establish a healthy eating habit. Kind regards, EatSmart Doggie Letter to Parent [email protected] thematic website

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Knowing More about High-sugar Beverages

Dear Parents,Hi ! This is EatSmart Doggie again ! Everyone praises me for being a fit and healthy eater. This is because

I like drinking water and have no fondness for high-sugar beverages.

The Department of Health recommends a daily intake of at least 4 to 5 glasses (approximately 240 ml each) of fluid for children and water is the best choice for fluid replenishment. However, many children prefer a variety of sweet beverages available on the market, unaware that most of them are hidden sugar traps. Inadvertently, these children take in a lot of free sugars.

Apart from water, you may choose low-fat milk, low-sugar soy drink and clear soup as the main beverages for daily consumption by children. High-sugar beverages should be bought less frequently.

What harm do high-sugar beverages cause? Children have a higher risk of tooth decay if their intake of free sugars is too high. An excessive energy intake will even increase the risk of obesity! Drinking fewer high-sugar beverages does much good and no harm to children’s health. Would you like to find out the sugar contents of some common beverages? Lets take a look at the table below:

What are free sugars?

Free sugars are …•sugars added to foods;

and•sugars naturally present

in foods and beveragessuch as honey, syrups,fruit juices and fruit juiceconcentrates.(Reference:World Health Organization)

Beverages Sugar per glass (approx. 240 ml) Features

Fizzy drinks About 5 teaspoons (approx. 25g) With extremely high sugar contents,they have adverse effects on the health of children.

Fresh apple juice About 4.5 teaspoons (approx. 23g) With high sugar and low dietary fibre contents, it has a lower nutritional value than whole fruit.

Iced lemon tea About 4 teaspoons (approx. 19g) This sweet-and-sour beverage has a high sugar content.Those who often drink it are likely to develop a sweet tooth.

Instant malted drinks About 4 teaspoons (approx. 19g) These drinks contain added sugar and are not recommendedfor frequent consumption.

Sugar-free soy drink About 0.5 teaspoon (approx. 2g) It is a healthy and nutritious choice with a low sugar content.

Water Nil Water does not lead to obesity as it has no sugar, fat and energy.

(Source: Centre for Food Safety)

You may occasionally give low-sugar beverages to your children, but better less than 2 times a week. To avoid spoiling their appetite for main meals, the portion should be limited to 1 glass or less. Eating and drinking in moderation is an essential lesson for children to establish a healthy eating habit. Kind regards,

EatSmart Doggie

Letter to [email protected] thematic website