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FBDG 8

Limit sugary drinks, biscuits, cakes, sweets and sweeteners

Sugar is addictive. The sugar (table sugar/sucrose) that we add to food and beverages provides empty calories which do not have other nutrients. Consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (SSB), biscuits, cakes and other sweets promotes excess energy intake. Starchy food consumed, is also converted to simple sugars in the body. Excess intake of sugar causes inflammatory diseases and other non-communicable diseases.

  • Limiting consumption of sugar and food with added sugar to recommended amounts (less than 6 teaspoons per day) helps to avoid adverse health outcomes.
  • It is important to appreciate natural taste (whole fruits / cut fruits) of food rather than the taste of added sugar.
  • Adding sugar/natural sugar alternatives (e.g. treacle, jaggery) to food for infants and young children should be avoided.
  • Adults can reduce sugar intake by reducing added sugar gradually.

 

What is the body mass index (BMI)?

The body mass index (BMI) is a measure that uses your height and weight to work out whether your weight is healthy.  BMI is calculated by dividing an adults’s weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared.  For example, A BMI of 25 means 25kg/m2. Read More