Did you know that Malaysia was classified as the Asian country with the highest rate of overweight people? According to World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2019, 64% of males and 65% of the female population in Malaysia are either obese or overweight.
Based on a United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) survey in 2019, 12.7% of Malaysian children from ages five to 19 are obese. That is the second-highest in Southeast Asia, just behind Brunei. Also, 7.1% of the percentage consists of those under five. These statistics are worrying, and that is why we want you to start making a difference in your child’s nutrition today!
As a baseline, you need to know what makes a type of food unhealthy, and one of the main culprits leading to unhealthy eating desires is sugar.
Now, the natural reaction to sugar is that it is all bad. But we beg to differ because not all sugar is bad. You just need to know how to identify them before you place a blanket ban on them.
Good Sugars – Lactose
In view of the fact that milk is the staple food for children, parents must know that lactose should be the ONLY natural sugar present in milk. As you can see in the image above, it is the one that has the lowest sweetness level. Lactose is a natural carbohydrate in breastmilk, less sweet with a low glycaemic index (GI).
According to Harvard Health Publishing, GI is a value allotted to foods based on how quickly a type of food can be digested into glucose and causes an increase in blood glucose level. Those with a low GI release glucose slowly and steadily, whereas food that has high GI releases glucose rapidly. With that, the lower GI nature of lactose would avoid a spike in blood glucose and also make you feel fuller for longer.
Furthermore, lactose also aids the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, supports the growth of friendly bacteria in the human gut and plays a role in the development of the brain and nervous system.
Bad Sugars – Added/Artificial Sugars
You would be surprised how easily these bad sugars sneak their way into the food we consume on a daily basis. Therefore, beware of the bad sugars (added sugars) on the shelf. Some examples of added sugars are maltodextrin, corn syrup solids, polydextrose, glucose syrup solids, saccharose/sucrose, fructose. So next time when you are on your mission to create a healthy pantry for you and your family, try your best to avoid these artificial sugars on the food labels.
Recommended Sugar Intake
In 2005, the Food Guide Pyramid released a sugar recommendation for children, suggesting a limit ranging from 6% to 10% of total calorie intake depending on a child’s age, sex, and level of physical activity.
American Heart Association (AHA) in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics, also stated that same year that sweetened beverages and naturally sweet beverages, such as fruit juice, should be limited to approximately 150 ml per day for children 1 to 6 years old and 300ml per day for children 7 to 18 years old.
Feed Your Child Right
For your little one’s healthy eating habits, choose organic nutrition with no added sugars!
HiPP JUNIOR – Pure Nutrition with No Added Sugars for Your Child
HiPP is an expert in paediatric food founded more than 120 years ago. As a pioneer of organic farming and one of the world’s largest processors of organic raw materials, HiPP is always committed to producing premium organic quality milk/food for children.
HiPP JUNIOR Organic Growing-up milk is an organic milk formula for children aged 1 to 3 years inspired by science and nature. HiPP uses only 100% Organic Milk Lactose, and therefore, is free from added sugars. Additionally, it also contains organic galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), a natural dietary fiber to support a healthy intestinal flora.
Remember, your child’s health begins now and will last their lifetime. Start building a nutritious foundation for your child with HiPP JUNIOR! Visit HiPP Malaysia’s official website to learn more!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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