Is it just a passing fad, this media focus on sugar? Or is our love affair with sugar something we should have moved on from years ago? Is sugar so bad?
But Maroon 5 have got it right: a little sugar in our lives is enough!
Some people would argue that even a little is too much. High-street retailers are agreeing to cut down sales of high-sugar content drinks to 10% of their drinks stock. But is that 10% still too much?
Let’s look at some facts about sugar:
- it can lead to tooth decay – a major cause of hospitalisation in children
- weight gain and obesity is linked to eating sugar
- type 2 diabetes occurs more often these days and is linked to sugar intake
- craving sugar is the result of the chemical effect it has on our brain
- sugar is ’empty calories’
- the average Brit eats 140 teaspoons of sugar a week* – that’s 20 teaspoons a day
- a full-grown man should not consume more than 9 teaspoons of sugar a day
- sugary foods to avoid (or limit) are sugar, sweetened drinks, sweets and chocolate bars, biscuits and cake, jam and honey, breakfast cereal, ketchup, and ice-cream.
SpaDental clinics hold regular Children’s Days when we prioritise appointments for children.
All our practices are child-friendly, but on these days we spend extra time welcoming our young patients and making them feel comfortable around the surgery. We can help you to teach your children good strategies for looking after their teeth.
Contact your local surgery for more information.
As it’s national obesity week, take a moment to find out the answers to the question, “Why is sugar so bad?”And the NHS article below has tips for how to cut down your sugar intake.
- Children’s dental health
- The packed lunch challenge
- In the light of shocking statistics about child tooth decay, what can we do?
- *external link to NHS – How to cut down on sugar