When is sugar ok?
I began this week with the intention of writing about hidden sugars in food (which was suggested by one lovely reader) and it turned into something completely different.
Sugar has become the villain of the food world. As a result foods that are actually really good for you have been given a bad name. For example both apples and milk have naturally occurring sugars. Many people argue that you can eat 4 squares of chocolate and it will contain less sugar than an apple, but does that make it a healthier choice? Lets examine the facts.
Chocolate (in this case white chocolate) = 14.1g sugar per 4 squares
Medium apple with skin on = 16.2g sugar per apple
-Contains only small amounts of fibre so doesn't give you a feeling of fullness.
-The combination of sugar and fat in chocolate can make it addictive.
-Fat-free so less likely to cause weight gain.
-They are full of antioxidants which have been shown to help prevent heart disease, liver disease and some cancers.
-Packed with fibre that will keep you feeling fuller for longer. This in turn can also prevent weight gain.
There are so many more, I could go on and on.
The truth is sometimes sugar is ok. If it is naturally occurring and the food as a whole is packed with nutrients then you have yourself a winner.The health benefits of the apple far out weight that of the chocolate regardless of how much sugar they contain. The same could be said for milk. A 250 mL glass of skim milk has 12.5 g of sugar (lactose is the sugar in milk). However, along with that sugar you also get an excellent source of protein, a big dose of calcium (in the form that is most easily absorbed into the body), and very little fat. These things make the nutritional value of the milk so high that the amount of sugar is no longer relevant.
I am not saying that you should never eat chocolate (you all know I love chocolate exhibit A rolo slice), I'm just reminding you that there is more to food than meets the eye. Look at foods as a whole picture and make your choice that way rather than just looking at one element like sugar. Remember everything in moderation.
If you have any questions about sugar in food make sure to leave them in the comments below.
I hope you all have a lovely weekend,
Bridge
Nutrition Insight on Social Media:
Sugar has become the villain of the food world. As a result foods that are actually really good for you have been given a bad name. For example both apples and milk have naturally occurring sugars. Many people argue that you can eat 4 squares of chocolate and it will contain less sugar than an apple, but does that make it a healthier choice? Lets examine the facts.
Chocolate (in this case white chocolate) = 14.1g sugar per 4 squares
Medium apple with skin on = 16.2g sugar per apple
Chocolate
Pros
-Some varieties of chocolate contain antioxidants which have been linked to improved cardiovascular health although you would need to eat a lot of it.Cons
-High in fats so can result in weight gain if eaten in large amounts.-Contains only small amounts of fibre so doesn't give you a feeling of fullness.
-The combination of sugar and fat in chocolate can make it addictive.
Apple
Pros
-Apples are delicious.-Fat-free so less likely to cause weight gain.
-They are full of antioxidants which have been shown to help prevent heart disease, liver disease and some cancers.
-Packed with fibre that will keep you feeling fuller for longer. This in turn can also prevent weight gain.
There are so many more, I could go on and on.
Cons
-There aren't any as far as I can see.
The truth is sometimes sugar is ok. If it is naturally occurring and the food as a whole is packed with nutrients then you have yourself a winner.The health benefits of the apple far out weight that of the chocolate regardless of how much sugar they contain. The same could be said for milk. A 250 mL glass of skim milk has 12.5 g of sugar (lactose is the sugar in milk). However, along with that sugar you also get an excellent source of protein, a big dose of calcium (in the form that is most easily absorbed into the body), and very little fat. These things make the nutritional value of the milk so high that the amount of sugar is no longer relevant.
I am not saying that you should never eat chocolate (you all know I love chocolate exhibit A rolo slice), I'm just reminding you that there is more to food than meets the eye. Look at foods as a whole picture and make your choice that way rather than just looking at one element like sugar. Remember everything in moderation.
If you have any questions about sugar in food make sure to leave them in the comments below.
I hope you all have a lovely weekend,
Bridge
Nutrition Insight on Social Media:
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