There's more nutritional lunacy in the media today.
For the past few months there has been a witch hunt on sugar, I'm not pro-sugar but I don't believe in demonising one particular food source (actual food source, processed 'foods' don't count).
It's high energy and low
to zero nutrient so shouldn't really play a major part in anyones diet.
However, todays media onslaught is against the humble fruit juice and the amount of sugar it contains. They were making parents feel bad about including fruit juices in their children's packed lunches. Stating that they had more sugar than a can of coke or other soft drink.
This might be technically true but the amounts they're talking about are nominal. The sugar isn't the biggest issue to health in that case; the other crap and chemicals in soft drinks make them far worse for overall health than a simple fruit juice.
Don't start giving your kids soft drinks in favour over juices because of some sensationalist media.
There are some simple rules you can follow to make their packed lunch drink healthier.
- Pick water, children will drink water; it's a myth that they won't.
- If you opt for fruit juice, make sure that it's fruit juice. Fruit shoots and the like are no better than soft drinks. There should only be the fruit juice on the
ingredients list, 100%.
- Try to avoid concentrated juices.
- Make your own, if you don't see the fruit being made in to the juice with your own eyes that health benefits of the juice are pretty much over. Making your own and storing in an airtight container will preserve some of the nutrients.
Shop bought fruit juice is essentially just sugar water but is a far better option than soft
drinks and certainly a way better option than energy drinks (more about this another day).
Don't be scared in to making rash decisions by the media. You shouldn't feel guilty or scared about the food choices you make. As I said yesterday, get some help if you don't understand how to make the right choices for you and your family.
Darren 'juicy
fruit' Checkley
P.S. Movember Man Challenge - It's Armistice Day, take some time out to reflect on the sacrifice of others.