I liked this piece from the BBC health website about a free app which tells you the sugar content of food and drink.

The app allows you to scan barcodes on food and drinks and reveals the total sugar content in cubes or grams.  I think the idea of ‘cubes’ is visually more user friendly and will certainly make you think twice before buying that sugary drink or snack.

Public Health England (PHE) is hoping that it will help to combat tooth decay, obesity and Type ll diabetes and encourage families to choose healthier alternatives.

PHE estimates the on average children aged 4 – 10 years are eating 22kg of added sugar every year – that’s the equivalent of 5,500 sugar cubes and more than the weight of the average 5 year old!

The app will work on more than 75,000 products available from supermarkets and stores.

Did you know how much sugar these common snacks contain?

  • a can of cola – nine cubes of sugar
  • a chocolate bar – six cubes of sugar
  • a small carton of juice – more than five cubes of sugar

 

I have written several blogs about hidden sugars and also how to swop these for more healthy versions so here is a little reminder of how to make healthy swops:

  1. No crunchy muesli or fruit yoghurts for breakfast – choosing porridge, dark brown bread, eggs or other forms of protein
  2. No fast food or white bread for lunch; choose brown bread, meat, fish and vegetables instead
  3. Portions served up in the kitchen – no pots and pans at the dining table
  4. Wait 20 minutes before having second helpings – this allows time for the body to feel full
  5. Only two pieces of fruit per day (whole fruit not juice)
  6. Sweets or snacks as occasional treats only
  7. Try to avoid all sugary, diet or soda drinks.  Replace with mineral water with added lime/lemon/orange slices and slices of fresh fruit
  8. Nuts and seeds – one of my number one choices for snacking.  They contain good levels of protein and beneficial fats so provided you are not eating whole bag will make a healthy choice.
  9. Hummous, cottage cheese or guacamole with plain oatcakes or vegetable sticks.
  10. Temperate climate fruits such as apples and pears, plums or citrus fruits but always eat with protein such as a few unsalted nuts or seeds.
  11. Nut butters spread thinly on crackers or rye bread (make sure you source sugar and salt free nut butters).
  12. Plain bio live yoghurts with your own added fruits such as grated apple or pear or berries.

 

You can get your free Sugar Smart app here:

https://www.nhs.uk/change4life-beta/campaigns/sugar-smart/home