Sugar is found naturally in fruit, vegetables and dairy foods. Sugar is also added to food and drink by food manufacturers with many of us unaware as to how much sugar it actually contains. Diabetes UK said on their website: “Sugar is a carbohydrate and is often found naturally in food. “Sugars found in fruit are known as fructose, and those found in dairy foods are called lactose.
“Recent government guidelines have recommended we cut our free sugar consumption by half so that only five per cent of our energy intake comes from free sugar.
“Free sugar is eat sugar added to fizzy drinks, biscuits and breakfast cereals, plus those naturally occurring in fruit juices, syrups and honey.”
Summer is one of the booziest times of the year with more than a quarter of Britons admitting they drink more alcohol in the warmer months. The summer heat has people reaching for alcoholic beverages with tropical and fruity flavours, but these cocktails can have up to 12 teaspoons of sugar per drink.
With sugar consumption such a hot topic on the nutrition agenda, it’s no wonder that many are favouring calorie-free drinks and sugar-free alternatives in their diet.
In fact, according the Curren Goodden Assosiciates (CGA) Mixed Drinks Report, nearly a third of consumers say they would prefer to order a low-calorie over a standard option.
Research from the Food Standards Agency has also revealed the sugar content of foods has now replaced price as the biggest food concern for consumers. So, while it’s clear Britons may fancy a cocktail during the summer months, they are still mindful of sugar consumption.
One should not have to compromise when reaching for their ultimate summer drink. The use of low or no calorie ingredients within cocktails is a great alternative to help with sugar reduction, without having to sacrifice on flavour.
Registered dietician Juliette Kellow said: “Summer is often packed with social get-togethers, barbecues, picnics, weddings, having friends around for dinner, or simply enjoying hanging out in the garden with family.
“Events like these often involve plenty of food, but it’s not unusual to also pack in the calories with the things we drink, too. Cocktails can be especially loaded with sugar from the mixers, fruit juices and syrups used to concoct them.
Cocktails can be especially loaded with sugar from the mixtures, fruit juices and syrups used to concoct them
Registered dietician Juliette Kellow
“By making some smart swaps with low and no calories sweeteners or sugar-free mixers such as slimline ginger ale, diet cola or diet lemonade, it’s easy to save on calories and cut down on sugar, while responsibly enjoying your drink.”
Experts believe that sugar consumption is a major cause of obesity and many chronic diseases.
Sugar causes weight gain, increase a persons risk of heart disease and cancer, accelerates the skin ageing process, drains energy and increases a persons chance of developing type 2 diabetes.
Kellow said: “Cocktails can be especially loaded with sugar from the mixtures, fruit juices and syrups used to concoct them.
“By making some smart swaps with low and no calorie sweeteners or sugar-free mixers such as slimline ginger ale, diet cola or diet lemonade, it’s easy to save on calories and cut down on sugar, while responsibly enjoying your drink.”
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