FOOD FOR THOUGHT

SHOCKING……BUT TRUE!

There are 40.5 grams of sugar in a can of coke.

·         Forty grams of sugar is the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar!

A child needs 1600 to 1800 calories or 6700 kilojoules per day. A teenager needs 1800 to 2100 calories or 75000 to 8800 kilojoules per day.

What about takeaways?

·        A small packet of French fries (chips) contains 230 calories and a medium alone 380 calories (1596 kilojoules).

·        A large bag contains a whopping 500 calories (2100 kilojoules)! THAT IS ALMOST A THIRD OF YOUR DAILY ENERGY REQUIREMENT WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT A BURGER!

·        For each packet of ketchup you consume, add a further 15 calories (63 kilojoules).

·        A burger can add another 400 to 500 calories (1680 to 2100 kilojoules).

My teenager drinks loads of energade.

Can energy drinks boost a person’s energy?

Most energy drinks contain large amounts of caffeine, which can provide a temporally energy boost. Some energy drinks contain sugar and other substances. The boost is short-lived, however, and may be accompanied by other problems.

For example, energy drinks that contain sugar may contribute to weight gain –and too much caffeine can lead to:

·         Nervousness

·         Irritability

·         Insomnia

·         Rapid heart beat

·         Increase blood pressure

For most people occasional energy drinks are fine. If you’re consistently fatigued or rundown, consider a better – and healthier – way to boost your energy. Get adequate sleep, include physical activity in your daily routine and eat a healthy diet. Sometimes,  eating too many refined carbohydrates (white bread, packets of chips and sweets)and drinking sugary drinks can actually make you feel more  tired because it does not provide the body with slow-releasing energy nutrients to keep the blood sugar stable. Teenagers also tend to skip meals and eat a lot of junk food, so it may be worth getting their diet assessed if they feel tired to ensure that they follow a healthy, balanced diet.

Reference: Leibrandt. C. October 2010.Food for thought. Edunews 54-55