Carbohydrates and health UK report

phoenix · Jun 27, 2014

There's been lots in the press about sugary drinks in the last couple of days.
This has partly stemmed from the release of a report from SACN (Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition). They were asked to 'provide clarification of the relationship between dietary carbohydrate and health and make public health recommendations.' (back in 2008, I remember some comment on here about why it was taking so long)
It's a very long document and summarises a huge amount of research into various conditions and their relationship with diet . There are also lots of stats on the present British diet ( over 300 pages, so I haven't read it fully)
It is consultative at the moment but is designed to inform future guidelines.
Here are some of the recommendations I picked up. (all the bolding is mine)

The dietary reference value for total carbohydrate should be maintained at a population average of approximately 50% of dietary energy
The dietary reference value for free sugars should be set at a population average of around 5% of dietary energy for age-groups from 2.0 years upwards. This is based on the need to limit free sugars to no more than 10% of total energy intake at an individual level, which is likely to lead to a population average free sugars intake of around 5% of total energy.
 With the proposed reduction in the population reference intake of free sugars, the energy should be replaced with starches, sugars contained within the cellular structure of foods and in milk and milk products.

The dietary reference value for dietary fibre for an adult population average should be 30g/day, as defined using the AOAC methods 985.29 and 991.4311 ( change of methods so old figure was 18g but with new method would have been 24g so still an increase)
Dietary pattern

The evidence considered in this report endorses a dietary pattern concerning carbohydrates that is based on whole grains, pulses (e.g. kidney beans, haricot beans, lentils), potatoes, vegetables and fruits, but limiting the amounts consumed of table sugar and rich sources of free sugars, such as preserves and sweet spreads, fruit juice, confectionery, biscuits, buns and cakes. The report also provides evidence that sugars sweetened beverages should be consumed in minimal (i.e. infrequently and in small) amounts.
12.33. The National Diet and Nutrition Survey shows that, as a whole, the population consumes more than the recommended amount of sugars and the intakes of fibre are below current advice. With the proposed increase of the dietary reference value for fibre and the reduction of the dietary reference value for free sugars, the difference between recommendations and the population’s intake would become even greater for both. In order to address this imbalance, there needs to be a change in the population’s diet so that people derive a greater proportion of dietary energy from carbohydrate-rich foods that are low in free sugars and high in dietary fibre.
http://www.sacn.gov.uk/pdfs/draft_sacn_carbohydrates_and_health_report_consultation.pdf

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iHs · Jun 27, 2014

In general people are now eating far too much food that is laden with carb and trans fats to mske it taste nice. The humble Pizza which at one time was only available at P Hut is now being sold in supermarkets and many take aways. Combine all that with McDs, KFC, Indian take aways, bags of rice, pasta, large slices of bread, cakes, cook sauces, dressing food up and bottles of wine and other alcohols.....its a recipe for poor health even with adequate exercise

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phoenix · Jun 27, 2014

Absolutely, I don't think that the present dietary guidelines ever suggested that it was a good idea to eat those things anyway. Everyone knows that they should be eating 5 a day but very few do The present intake of fibre is also lower than the present guidelines. It will take a sea change for people to increase that and cut the refined carbs and eat more fruit /veg/pulses/wholegrains..

Jill the tt · Jun 27, 2014

phoenix said:
Absolutely, I don't think that the present dietary guidelines ever suggested that it was a good idea to eat those things anyway. Everyone knows that they should be eating 5 a day but very few do The present intake of fibre is also lower than the present guidelines. It will take a sea change for people to increase that and cut the refined carbs and eat more fruit /veg/pulses/wholegrains..

hi,
i'm confused, please don't get mad at this question, i thought we had to limit our fruit, and avoid grains if possible, i have done this, am i wrong
JIll

jack412 · Jun 27, 2014

This is for everyone. I would say its not for most T2
Down here it's 5 veg grain and 2 fruit

sunspots · Jun 27, 2014

Jill the tt said:
hi,
i'm confused, please don't get mad at this question, i thought we had to limit our fruit, and avoid grains if possible, i have done this, am i wrong
JIll

Why would anyone get mad? All questions are valid and we are all here to provide support and advice.

That makes sense if you are trying to control your blood glucose and/or lose weight through limiting carbohydrates. Fruit and grains are pretty carb loaded. However the government policy is to recommend a diet much higher in carbs, so fruit and grains are recommended as they are comparatively healthy sources of them.

Brunneria · Jun 27, 2014

sunspots said:
Why would anyone get mad? All questions are valid and we are all here to provide support and advice.

That makes sense if you are trying to control your blood glucose and/or lose weight through limiting carbohydrates. Fruit and grains are pretty carb loaded. However the government policy is to recommend a diet much higher in carbs, so fruit and grains are recommended as they are comparatively healthy sources of them.

Yes, and following that governmental high carbohydrate advice is probably what is causing the current 'diabetic epidemic'

@Jill the tt you are doing the right thing by limiting your carbs. By avoiding grains and reducing fruit. That report is not aimed at helping diabetics.

donnellysdogs · Jun 28, 2014

After reading "the big fat surprise" book... No way would I listen to any govt advice on nutrition.

They aren't stupid... They recommend the intake of carbs...and then in following years they will add on "sugar tax"... Good money spinner for them I think!!

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Jill the tt · Jun 28, 2014

Brunneria said:
Yes, and following that governmental high carbohydrate advice is probably what is causing the current 'diabetic epidemic'

@Jill the tt you are doing the right thing by limiting your carbs. By avoiding grains and reducing fruit. That report is not aimed at helping diabetics.

thanks Jill

Carbohydrates and health UK report

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