In fact, the new research is asking everyone to reduce their sugar intake by more than half. According to the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), no more than 5% of our daily energy intake should come from sugar – this is down from the previous recommendation of 10%.
However, as the study points out, an average adult consumes 12% of the ingredient while it makes up 15% of of a teen’s calorie intake in the UK.
Medical professor at Nottingham University Ian MacDonald, who was the chair of the SACN working group on carbohydrates and health, says: “The evidence is stark — too much sugar is harmful to health and we all need to cut back. The clear and consistent link between a high-sugar diet and conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes is the wake-up call we need to rethink our diet.”
In light of the new recommendations, The Public Health England are asking parents to replace sugary drinks with sugar-free, no-added-sugar drinks, lower fat milks and water.
"Sugary drinks have no place in a child’s daily diet but account for almost a third of their daily sugar intake.” said Alison Tedstone, PHE chief nutritionist.
However, Sharon Fisher of Making Sense of Sugar doesn’t believe just cutting out one ingredient will help the rising obesity problem, saying: “Focusing on one type of ingredient alone is not going to solve the issue [of obesity]. We believe people need to look at diet within the context of lifestyle, with the starting point being calories in and calories out.”
Cutting out sugar from their child's diet can be a difficult task for parents, but these five tips will at least help you get started.
