I don't know if you mommies notice that there has been a lot of different information in digital space regarding sugars in children's growing up milk, ever since the no added sugars campaign started.

I find it confusing at first - some milk brands say that the added sugars in their milk are from natural plant source, hence making it ok for children to drink. But it got me thinking; sugars, no matter what it is called - natural sugars, added sugars, natural plant sugars, corn syrup solids, sucrose and glucose syrup solids - they are still basically SUGARS right? Is there really a "good" sugar; sugar that is better than other types of sugars?

I did a little bit of research and found this:

"Corn syrup, corn syrup solids, and high fructose corn syrup (as well as crystalline fructose) are all made from corn, and bottom line, all are sugar. So, first off, because they’re sugar, my opinion is that they are all damaging to your health, just because sugar is so damaging.

Each of these ingredients will give you cravings for more sugar, and foods that list high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, or fructose as one of their top 4 ingredients are overeating traps. These ingredients actually interfere with a hormone that tells your brain that you’re full!" (taken from this website).

The last sentence caught my attention, "...interfere with a hormone that tells your brain that you're full". No wonder Ayra doesn't want anything but milk! (I did mention she drinks 5-7 bottles of 7oz milk a day, right? *gasps*)

Yes I know not all sugars are bad. In fact milk contains some natural sugars too, which is lactose. Sugar gives energy and we all know children need energy. What is bad is when there's excessive level of added sugars in growing up milk because it can increase the risk of health problems in children - now and in the future. The natural healthy level of sugar in a glass of regular milk is approximately 11-12 grams per serving so anything higher than that is actually added sugars and it does not align with any local or international recommendations.




While it's true that all sugars are carbs but not all carbs are sugars (as there can be fibres as well), under Malaysian food labeling regulations, fibre is declared separately and it's not included in the total carbohydrate level in the nutrition label. I think it's important for parents to know this because it's our children's milk we're talking about here! The number of carbohydrate per serving in the milk label is only made up of 2 things: naturally present sugar (lactose) and added sugars (corn syrup solids, sucrose and glucose syrup solids). So do check the label carefully when choosing the right milk for your child yea.

Of course the easiest way to tell is to taste your child's milk. Kalau manis melampau tu maknanya there's excessive level of added sugars la. You don't need to be a dietician to know that!

Labels: Mommyhood and Baby