|
|
 |
|
Sign
up for the NDC Update for the latest dairy nutrition news, fast facts,
free tools for patients, expert nutrition advice and information on updated
dairy nutrition resources.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Educate your patients on the importance of 3-A-Day of Dairy: Here's
a great
tool (PDF: 618k) to show families how to get their 3-A-Day of Dairy
every day for stronger bones.
Developed in conjunction with The American Academy of Family
Physicians, The American Academy of Pediatrics, The American Dietetic
Association, and The National Medical Association.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Dairy Council Digest Archives
A PERSPECTIVE ON SUGARS & HEALTH
Volume 78, Number 4 July/August 2007
Summary
Nutritive or caloric sweeteners (sugars) increase the palatability of foods and add to the pleasure of eating. Sugars are present naturally in foods such as fructose in fruits and lactose in milk and are added to a variety of foods and beverages during processing or preparation. Added sugars typically include sucrose (table sugar) and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
Added sugars are digested and metabolized the same as their naturally occurring sugar counterparts. In general, foods and beverages with naturally containing sugars tend to be nutrient-dense (i.e., high in nutrients in relation to their calories), whereas many foods and beverages with added sugars (e.g., non-diet soft drinks, fruit drinks, candy) typically provide calories but few or no micronutrients. However, there are nutrient-dense foods such as flavored milks, flavored yogurts, and some cereals that have small amounts of added sugars.
Americans’ “sweet tooth” is evidenced by their high consumption of sugars, particularly added sugars, which has increased over the years. Soft drinks are a major source of added sugars in the diet. These beverages contain HFCS, which has replaced sucrose as an added sweetener in these and many other products. HFCS is similar in its composition and metabolism to sucrose.
Poor diet quality, obesity, dental caries, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and behavioral disorders in children have been blamed on intake of sugars. However, there is no conclusive evidence that sugars per se are associated with any of these disorders, with the exception of dental caries, a disease in which multiple factors in addition to sugars are involved. Nevertheless, excess energy intake from sugars, particularly added sugars, is associated with weight gain and displacement of more nutrient-dense foods. For this reason, health professional organizations and government agencies recommend reduced intake of added sugars.
According to the American Dietetic Association (ADA), people can safely enjoy sugars “when consumed in a diet that is guided by current federal nutrition recommendations, such as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Dietary Reference Intakes, as well as individual health goals.” The ADA adds that “by increasing the palatability of nutrient-dense foods/beverages, sweeteners can promote diet healthfulness.” Likewise, the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans states that “in some cases, small amounts of sugars added to nutrient-dense foods, such as breakfast cereals and reduced-fat milk products, may increase a person’s intake of such foods by enhancing the palatability of these products, thus improving nutrient intake without contributing excessive calories.” Studies show that intake of flavored milk improves children’s nutrient intake without contributing to weight gain.
Because milk and other dairy products are a major source of calcium in the U.S. and because milk consumption has declined, it is important to ensure that nutrition education messages regarding intake of sugars not inadvertently discourage consumption of foods and beverages of high nutrient density such as flavored milks and yogurts.
Table of Contents:
|