In an attempt to keep Type 2 diabetes at bay, many parents mistakenly give their children fruit juices in lieu of soft drinks.
Their feelings are since these products are made from fruit they must be much healthier for consumption than soft drinks.
Unfortunately, this is not the case.
While parents feel as if they are exercising good intentions, they are actually helping to contribute to the formation of weight gain and Type 2 diabetes in their children.
The problem is not what the drink is supposed to be made from...
the fruit; the problem is the same problem that plaques every diabetic, and every individual who could potentially develop Type 2 diabetes.
The problem is sugar or the type of sugar added to the fruit juice.
When you compare a fruit drink to a soft drink there are some startling facts.
Comparing grape juice and grape soda shows the grape juice actually has 40 percent more calories than the soda.
Why? Because of sugar, or to be explicit, the type of sugar added to the juice.
To give you an idea of why the number of diabetes cases have increased so dramatically in our society, you need only take a look at one sobering fact.
A century ago, the average consumption of sugar was 40 pounds per year.
By 1986, that amount had risen to 127 pounds per year.
Just 12 short years later, in 1998, it had already risen another 21 pounds to 148.
Now, it is even higher.
This is why it is impossible to rely strictly on the name itself.
For instance, sugar has now taken on another title in many of our foods: high fructose corn syrup or HFCS.
HFCS is made up of two simple sugars...
some forms of HFCS are 90 percent fructose, 10 percent glucose.
The type of HFCS used in soft drinks or soda pop is usually 55 percent fructose, 45 percent glucose.
High fructose corn syrup HFCS has now become the sweetening agent used in most drinks.
Since its introduction into this market, the rate of soft drink sales are double what they were when they were just using glucose.
Many mothers have trouble with their children when in comes to juice because the children want a lot of the juice which is actually only 10 percent juice: the rest of the mixture is laden with HFCS, preservatives and artificial colorants.
Recent studies showed women who consumed multiple fruit juice drinks on a daily basis saw an 18 percent increase in the likelihood they would become overweight and also develop Type 2 diabetes.
This is further proof that if fruit drinks are part of your ritual you should always check the label before buying.
An article published in Diabetes Care in 2008 indicated one serving of fruit juice a day increased the risk for women developing Type 2 diabetes.
In an attempt to monitor your sugar intake from drinks look for juices that are all-natural.
Selecting 100 percent fruit juices are better than the juices that only contain small amounts of juice and a lot of other additives.
Read the label for the sugar content and calories (kj)...
if it seems to be too high, pass on it and go for a piece of fruit instead.
It's better to eat the apple rather than drinking apple juice...
then you will get to eat the fiber as well.
Juice has had the fiber removed in the juicing process.
The phytonutrients in the apples can help you regulate your blood sugar.
Or throw fruit in a blender and make your own smoothie.
That way, you know exactly where your juice is coming from and the additives.
This will give you better control of your blood sugar.
Their feelings are since these products are made from fruit they must be much healthier for consumption than soft drinks.
Unfortunately, this is not the case.
While parents feel as if they are exercising good intentions, they are actually helping to contribute to the formation of weight gain and Type 2 diabetes in their children.
The problem is not what the drink is supposed to be made from...
the fruit; the problem is the same problem that plaques every diabetic, and every individual who could potentially develop Type 2 diabetes.
The problem is sugar or the type of sugar added to the fruit juice.
When you compare a fruit drink to a soft drink there are some startling facts.
Comparing grape juice and grape soda shows the grape juice actually has 40 percent more calories than the soda.
Why? Because of sugar, or to be explicit, the type of sugar added to the juice.
To give you an idea of why the number of diabetes cases have increased so dramatically in our society, you need only take a look at one sobering fact.
A century ago, the average consumption of sugar was 40 pounds per year.
By 1986, that amount had risen to 127 pounds per year.
Just 12 short years later, in 1998, it had already risen another 21 pounds to 148.
Now, it is even higher.
This is why it is impossible to rely strictly on the name itself.
For instance, sugar has now taken on another title in many of our foods: high fructose corn syrup or HFCS.
HFCS is made up of two simple sugars...
some forms of HFCS are 90 percent fructose, 10 percent glucose.
The type of HFCS used in soft drinks or soda pop is usually 55 percent fructose, 45 percent glucose.
High fructose corn syrup HFCS has now become the sweetening agent used in most drinks.
Since its introduction into this market, the rate of soft drink sales are double what they were when they were just using glucose.
Many mothers have trouble with their children when in comes to juice because the children want a lot of the juice which is actually only 10 percent juice: the rest of the mixture is laden with HFCS, preservatives and artificial colorants.
Recent studies showed women who consumed multiple fruit juice drinks on a daily basis saw an 18 percent increase in the likelihood they would become overweight and also develop Type 2 diabetes.
This is further proof that if fruit drinks are part of your ritual you should always check the label before buying.
An article published in Diabetes Care in 2008 indicated one serving of fruit juice a day increased the risk for women developing Type 2 diabetes.
In an attempt to monitor your sugar intake from drinks look for juices that are all-natural.
Selecting 100 percent fruit juices are better than the juices that only contain small amounts of juice and a lot of other additives.
Read the label for the sugar content and calories (kj)...
if it seems to be too high, pass on it and go for a piece of fruit instead.
It's better to eat the apple rather than drinking apple juice...
then you will get to eat the fiber as well.
Juice has had the fiber removed in the juicing process.
The phytonutrients in the apples can help you regulate your blood sugar.
Or throw fruit in a blender and make your own smoothie.
That way, you know exactly where your juice is coming from and the additives.
This will give you better control of your blood sugar.