This is the conclusion reached by a recent article published in the Roger Torné Foundation, the author (Anna Boluda), had previously explained some of the characteristics of "gluten-free" and "lactose-free" foods; now clarifies - with the help of several experts, the utility (for the purpose they propose) of modified foods to control overweight.
Is it more sensible to make a balanced diet with natural products than to resort to "sugar free" or "diabetic" commercial lines?
"Sugar free" products
It seems that the labeling 'suitable for diabetics' is incomplete, since it only pays attention to sugars (in this case it is specified that they are not added), however, the percentage of carbohydrates existing in (for example) cereals for breakfast, they pose a risk since they are nutrients that break down in the form of sugars in the intestine.
Even so, "sugar-free" foods can be a solution for those with type 2 diabetes, and to fight overweight and childhood obesity. But remember that type 2 diabetes (increasingly common in children's ages) can be prevented through healthy lifestyles (diet, exercise). Therefore it would be treated an artificial solution that can be substituted Thanks to a balance in food.
We should know that when we say "without sugar", we are referring to the sugars being eliminated, replacing them with artificial ones (and some of them are generating a lot of controversy). In Spain all existing artificial sweeteners (aspartame, estiva, saccharin, etc.) are allowed, but This is not the case in other countries.
The fact that they are allowed does not exempt the establishment of maximum daily intake limits, but who is able to calculate that the maximum amount is not exceeded? I say this because some of these sweeteners are not absorbed, and can cause intestinal discomfort directly, not counting that the long-term effects are not known.
Any sugar is at the tip of the pyramid, so they are expendable, and let's not forget that cereals, dairy and fruits also naturally contain them.
"Light" diet
In the opinion of Serafín Murillo (Ciberdem nutritionist), "It is a mistake to believe that an overweight child can protect themselves from obesity or diabetes through light diet". The only possible way to prevent this type of pathology is to take care of the energy balance.
Thus, the importance of eating well should be educated, highlighting the properties of each type of food, and you should also avoid using soda or treats as rewards. Basing the diet on fruits, vegetables, cereals, little meat, fish and eggs, we do not need to buy light products.
On the other hand the labeling "light" means that these products have less fat than normal, but they can still contain a relatively high amount.
The real solution is to exercise our educational capacity, starting with the consideration that water is the best choice as a drink, through the monitoring of balance in the menu, and finally considering that labels do not supplement common sense.
Images | Pedro Reyna, Eric Lewis Via | Roger Torné Foundation in Peques and More | Drinking sugar-free drinks during childhood reduces weight gain and fat
