Sweet Drinks for Children
Sugary drinks, particularly fizzy drinks, energy drinks and even juices, are consumed by thousands of people every day. However, many people are unaware of the shocking amount of sugar found in these drinks. Recent studies have shown that sugary drinks are linked to many cases of tooth decay, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
In the public eye, fruit juices are marketed as the healthier option over fizzy drinks. However, the juices you buy in the supermarket are packed with additives, such as sweeteners and preservatives, and have extremely high levels of sugar. Many reports have shown that fruit juices may have at least as much sugar as a bottle of Coca Cola, which contains 10.6g of sugar per 100ml.
So, next time you or your children want something sweet to drink, try making your own fresh juice with a mixer. You can even make some extra and keep it in the fridge for later. Alternatively, just add some chopped fruit with some mint in your water for some easy and delicious flavoured water.
Benefits of Natural sugars
Sugars found naturally in fruits and vegetables are much healthier than processed and refined sugars. The sugar found in fruit, fructose, is accompanied by other essential elements, such as vitamins and minerals, which increases its overall benefits and makes for a balanced diet. Processed and refined sugars are purely just sugars and have no other benefits that will counteract the negative effects of sugar.
It is important to realise that natural sugar has the same affects as refined processed sugars. However, natural sugars, found in fruit and vegetables, will most likely have less calories and more nutritional value than refined and processed sugar, found in cakes, sugary drinks and sweets. Sugar should be consumed in an appropriate amount as part of a balanced, healthy diet. Starting from now, it might be worth a try to swap the chocolate bar hidden in you’re a jacket with an apple or a banana!
Zesty Apple and Pear Juice Recipe
Apples and pears are always in season, but they are especially more juicy and sweet during autumn. Below is a simple juice recipe, from Jason Vale’s The Juice Master book, that kids will definitely like as part of their afternoon snack. Plus, it will make up 2 of 5 recommended daily intake of vegetables and fruit portions!
This juice contains vitamin A, B and C, potassium, folic acid, boron, ellagic acid, carotenes, amino acids, natural sugars and anti-oxidants. Apples contain many essential vitamins and minerals, which are anti-oxidants, as well as pectin that will eliminate toxins in the intestines by forming a gel. Pears are especially good for controlling diabetes, as they contain fructose, which stimulates less insulin secretion than glucose.
Moreover, small amounts of boron is found in both apples and pears and is essential for the metabolism of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, which is required for healthy bones, muscle growth, and the breakdown of food into energy.
Enjoy!
Ingredients (Serves 1-2)
2 Apples (golden delicious or royal gala)
1/3 Lemon (unwaxed)
1 Pear (conference pears are best)
Ice
Method
- In the juicer, put 1 apple in the chute first, then followed this with a lemon and a pear and finally add in the second apple.
- Blend and add ice to serve!
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Sources:
Harry Wallop, Telegraph. September 2014. The 10 fruit juices with more sugar than Coca Cola. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/children/11130095/The-10-fruit-juices-with-more-sugar-than-Coca-Cola.html.
Jonathan P. Bantle, the Journal of Nutrition. June 2009. Dietary Fructose and Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2714385/.
