How much sugar is in your diet?
JUKSKEI PARK – The sugar tax introduced by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan earlier this year, had many people moaning about this new tax, however there are groups who welcomed this news.
The sugar tax introduced by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan earlier this year, had many people upset, however there are groups who welcomed the news.
Head coach at the Sledgehammer Crossfit gym Craig Bayley said that sugar was especially bad for sports people. “When sugar is cut out of the diet there are many benefits which include, less inflammation, improved energy and a better recovery process,” Bayley said.
He noted that often parents were the ones who bought the sugary treats for their children and added that parents should think about the effects that sugar had.
“Parents must take responsibility for what they give their children as they are responsible for their diet. I would caution parents against giving their children added sugar as there are long-term effects,” he explained.
He pointed out that there was a suspicion about the sugar tax being another money-making scheme, but added that from a health perspective the CrossFit community country wide was smiling.
“The simple version of things is that too much sugar is not good for your health, the same way that alcoholic beverages and cigarettes have warnings and sin tax,” Bayley explained.
He added that it made sense that something bad for your health should carry similar warnings.
Tracy Hesslewood, a dietitian from Bryanston, pointed out that the World Health Organisation (WHO) released a guideline that adults should limit added sugar to 12 teaspoons a day, children under 12 should consume up to six teaspoons a day.
Hesslewood explained that consumption of too much sugar was directly linked to increased obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and ADHD.
“Unfortunately, cheap and easy foods are high in sugar, and if parents are keeping score, they would realise just how difficult it is to keep their children’s consumption of sugar to the WHO guidelines. When you consider that even one tablespoon of tomato sauce contains one teaspoon of sugar, a 100g yoghurt can deliver 3.5 spoons, and a can of coke delivers seven teaspoons,” she further clarified.
Hesslewood explained that it was hoped that the sugar tax would encourage parents to see the harm in sugar and actively begin avoiding these foods, which she said could only be a good thing. “Proper food like fruit and vegetables are not the popular choice, but they are the better alternative,” she added.
Details: Sledgehammer Crossfit gym, 083 694 2048
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