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Undoing the sweet aftermath of Eid festivities
From hidden sugars to traditional treats, doctors and nutritionists share how we can navigate the sweet maze while balancing health and tradition.
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T
he echoes of the recent Idul Fitri festivities may now be fading, but the aftermath of our culinary indulgences, particularly the sugary delights that graced our celebratory spreads, still lingers.
One of the most widely cited studies of sugar consumption in Indonesia, the Health Ministry’s Total Diet Study in 2014, stated that 11.8 percent of the population consumes over 50 grams of sugar per day. And that number is certainly higher now, with the consumption of sugar-sweetened food and beverages on the rise.
The problem is that these numbers exceed the limits that doctors recommend. According to the American Heart Association, the recommended daily consumption for male adults is nine teaspoons, or 36 g, of added sugar, and for female adults it is six teaspoons, or 25 g of added sugar.
Nutrition specialist I Yuwanda Chrissander from the Grand Family Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital in North Jakarta emphasizes that this recommendation applies to added sugars, which are sugars and syrups added to foods and beverages during processing or preparation.
“Naturally occurring sugars found in fruit, vegetables and dairy products are not included in these guidelines, as they come with beneficial nutrients like fiber, vitamins and minerals,” he said.
In general, the recommended daily intake of added sugar should account for no more than 10 percent of total daily calories. For an average adult consuming about 2,000 calories per day, this would equate to approximately 50 g, or 12 teaspoons, of added sugar.
Read also: How women fare in IndonesiaHunting down hidden sugar
