20
2012
Glycemic Index: Measure of changes to the sugar level in the bloodstream of a child
*48 hours sticky post. Scroll down for latest updates*
The other day in Ethan’s paed office, I read in the HealthToday magazine regarding GL. It was an eye-opener article.
There has been a lot of stuff in the media and online about added sugars in growing up milk powder and the health impact resulting from consuming too much added sugars.
Do you know sugar can reduce the learning capacity and adversely affect school children’s grades? I only found out about this recently when my student told me he is not allowed to consume carbonated drinks closer to his exam the other day. I wondered why and he said that sugar will slow down his learning ability hence his mother forbids him from taking too much sugar until exam is over. Yeah, NOW you know -.-
Back in March 2011, one growing up milk powder launched a ‘no added sugars’ formulation to the relief of many mothers out there. Many brands followed suit soon after by claiming ‘no sucrose added’ and ‘reduced sugar’.
What most mothers are not aware is, these claims of ‘no sucrose added’ and ‘reduced sugar’ are misleading because it focuses on a single type of added sugar (such as sucrose). As we already know by now, glucose syrup solids, corn syrup solids, dextrin and maltodextrin are also added sugars. When consumed, all these will increase their energy or kilojoule density, but it also adds to the carbohydrate load on top of the natural lactose content in milk therefore potentially placing a high insulin demand on little bodies.
An independent study by the University of Sydney has been published that looked at the GL of different growing up milk powder with different added sugars levels available in Malaysia. GL is the measure of changes to the sugar level in the bloodstream of a child after drinking a glass of growing up milk.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â A high GL means a lot of sugars added, which causes a blood sugar spike
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â A low GL means no or low added sugars, which is healthier
A good growing up milk with absolutely no added sugars should have a GL level close to natural regular milk’s reading of 3.0
Only one growing up milk powder managed to stay close at 2.6. No other growing up milk powder came even close indicating high added sugars levels. Read more about Glycemic Index here.
So the next time your child gets a sugar rush and turns into a bouncy gummy bear after his milk feed, think again. You may want to consider switching his growing up milk powder to the one with absolutely no added sugars with a low GL level.
Oh? So that’s why I was not good at school. I’m so very sweet… Hehehehehehe!!!!
LOL at suituapui’s comment!! Oh so, cannot consume any sugar at all ka?
anmum growing up milk powder yang jadi pilihan hati dni sekarang ni :)
It really is true that putting sugar into our kids bodies are harming them more than anything. I am quite grateful for a no sugar milk but fresh milk is sufficient once the kid hits one year old.