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Majority of Brits have
'blind spot' over hidden sugars and calories
MILLIONS of 'healthy' Brits have a
'blind spot' over hidden sugars and calories in sauces, condiments
and snacks, research revealed. A study carried out among 2,000 adults, found
that while calorie counting and '5 a day' are a focus of their daily
food plan, 69% admit that they often forget to consider the calories, sugar
and fat content of sauces, condiments and toppings.
It emerged that many adults are consuming:- 'invisible calories and
sugar' on
top of their usual daily intake, with syrup and sugar on breakfasts among
the biggest culprits. Most adults admit to being unwilling to eat porridge
(83%) or pancakes (92%) without extras because they think they are:-
'dull',
'dry' or 'tasteless' without them.
Spokesman, Andrés Armstrong General Director of the Chilean Blueberry
Committee, which commissioned the report said:- "You may think you are
being healthy, but as soon as you add sugar or syrup to porridge or
pancakes, or put a dressing on your salad, you are instantly adding extra
sugar and calories. Just 1 tablespoon of honey has 64 calories and 17g of
sugar.
By ignoring the calories, fat and sugar in sauces people often make an
otherwise nutritious meal quite the opposite.
There are ways of making food more flavoursome without adding on unnecessary
sugars and calories. Opting for fresh seasonal fruit such as Chilean
blueberries as a topping for breakfasts or salads can help to add some
sweetness and flavour to your meal without lots of sugar."
Researchers found 84% of Brits try to eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables
regularly and 66% count the calories, fat and sugar content in most of their
meals. A further 71% are careful to eat meals that are low in sugar. But 70%
of people admit they rarely take into account the nutritional value of
toppings, sauces and condiments which they pour all over their meals, and as
such, make a seemingly healthy meal unhealthy.
In fact, 52% of people believe they are consuming just under 2,000 calories
a day, when in reality they may be adding a further 200 calories and 20
grams of fat when pouring Caesar dressing over their salad, or consuming
around 12 grams of sugar for every tablespoon of maple syrup they put on
their porridge or pancakes.
43% of those polled admit their evening meals rarely go without a serving of
tomato ketchup, which contains 19 calories per tablespoon, while 29% can't
resist adding mayonnaise (94 calories per tablespoon), to everything they
eat. Simple salads are livened up with mayonnaise, French vinaigrettes and
Caesar dressings, while toast is always served with a decent portion of
butter. But it's porridge and pancakes that are the worst culprits with the
majority of Brits admitting they are always served with 3 or 4 teaspoons of
sugar, a good glug of syrup or honey, or even chocolate spread; only 27%
would consider eating them plain.
29% of Brits admit they never calorie count alcohol, while 42% don't think
about the fat or calorie content of the milk they are adding to their
cereals and hot beverages. Sauces, condiments and spreads also escape the
notice of the most health conscious people. 18% of people admit they don't
even worry about the fat, sugar and calorie content of the snacks they eat
regularly; which are most commonly crisps, biscuits, nuts, and toast.
Food psychologist, Dr Christy Fergusson from Channel 4's Secret Eaters,
said:- "More and more people are becoming sugar savvy and want to make
healthier food choices.
However, this research suggests that many people are falling into the trap
of consuming more sugar than they realise.
Most people aren't considering the impact of hidden sugars in store-bought
sauces, dressings and ready meals. The good news is looking closer at the
ingredients in the foods we eat and making a few simple swaps can make a
considerable difference."
Dr Christy Fergusson provides tips on how to cut
extra sugar and fat:-
1. Eat berries for breakfast in a warming bowl of porridge or delicious
pancakes:-
1 tablespoon (3 teaspoons) of sugar sprinkled over your pancakes or porridge
will add 14 grams of sugar and an additional 49 calories to your breakfast.
A delicious alternative would be to switch this for a low sugar fruit like
blueberries. 2 whole cups (16 tablespoons) of berries gives you the same
sugar hit!
Top tip:- Get creative by stewing the blueberries in a little water
and make blueberry compote or mash them into the pancake mix before placing
cooking on the skillet.
2. Make a quick and easy salad dressing; If you are opting for a healthy
salad for lunch in a bid to save on the calories, your dressing could add
more than 150 calories. Swap the rich, creamy Caesar dressing for a little
olive oil, seasoning, squeeze of lime, fresh herbs and vinaigrette. This way
you know exactly what is going into your salad, and you save on the
calories. It's a win win!
3. Whiz up a healthy tomato sauce in minutes; Store bought sauces contain
added sugar and salt. Instead of buying a jar of tomato sauce make your own
using some fresh tomatoes, garlic and herbs such as oregano, basil and
seasoning.
4. Refresh and energise by making your own soft drink; Instead of drinking
cans of fizzy juice containing sugars and artificial sweeteners, make your
own by diluting fresh fruit juice with sparkling water poured over ice.
Bliss!
5. Snack smart; Swap crisps, chocolate and biscuits for healthier options
such as hummus and oatcakes, a bowl of blueberries or a chopped apple with
nuts. If you feel like something sweet, what about cashew and almond butter
stuffed into Medjool dates? |
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Never a VIOL NOTE…
A group of musicians will be
playing on the kind of instruments familiar to Johann Sebastian Bach in the
early 1700s at the St Agnes' Church, in Ullett Road, Liverpool soon.
There'll be a Viola d'Amore, and a Viola Da Gamba, besides a Violone, and
baroque oboes and recorders, played by specialist performers. The
instruments are mainly modern copies of the original instruments, and the
stringed instruments have gut strings, not metal ones, like modern violins.
The musicians of Liverpool Bach Collective will give a performance of a
cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach at 6.30pm, during the Church's regular
Sunday Evensong. The 2 vocal soloists, both well known to local audiences are the Hungarian
soprano Barbara Ruzsics, and baritone Stuart O'Hara. Barbara trained at the
Franz Liszt Music Academy in Budapest; Stuart at Durham University.
Liverpool Bach Collective was formed 2 years ago, with the aim of putting on
performances of Bach's cantatas in churches around Liverpool every 4 or 5
weeks as part of Sunday Evensong. There are 8 singers and around 12
instrumentalists, usually strings, oboes and organ. The Collective is
directed by Philip Duffy, formerly Master of the Music at Liverpool's
Metropolitan Cathedral.
Over the last year cantatas have been performed in half a dozen different
Churches, and following the acquisition of a new continuo organ, specially
built for the Collective in Budapest, performances will be given in the
current season, in Churches in:- Walton, Waterloo, Crosby, Toxteth, Ince
Blundell, Blundellsands, Hightown, Sefton Park, and Little Crosby.
The cantata on:- 13 March 2016, is Tritt auf die Glaubensbahn (Walk in the Way of
Faith) (cantata 152). Bach composed over 200 of these
'cantatas' when he was Kantor at St Thomas's Church in Leipzig in the mid
1700's. They
were a musical reflection on the readings of the day in the Lutheran Church,
and they are among the finest of his compositions for singers and
instruments.
Funding secured to support people
across the Liverpool City Region into work
ADULTS and young people across the
Liverpool City Region will be supported to find work or training thanks to
successful bids to the European Social Fund totalling £43 million.
10 projects from around the Liverpool City Region will benefit from the
funding will see thousands of local people supported into training and
employment. The investments are greater than £43m as all of the projects
have been match funded.
The European Structural and Investment Funds Committee is co-chaired by
Robert Hough, Chairman of the Liverpool Enterprise Partnership and Cllr Phil
Davies, Leader of Wirral Council .
Robert said:- "This is a fantastic achievement and clearly
demonstrates the strength of the bids received from local partners. We have
been working with local partners to ensure the package of projects will
target skills shortages and ensure local people are equipped with the right
skills to take advantage of local employment opportunities. This funding
will help us to achieve this and target support where it is needed the
most."
Cllr Davies added:- "I know that such a significant investment over
the next three years will make a big difference to both residents across the
Liverpool City Region as well as employers. Regardless of individual's
circumstances, the range of support available offers something for everyone
and I look forward to the implementation of these programmes and the
benefits they will bring to our City Region."
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