Children drinking ‘healthy’ smoothies over full-fat fizzy pop could be consuming THREE TIMES the sugar
New research shows that two thirds of kids drinks are bad for teeth as hospitals report record numbers of rotten baby teeth removed
CHILDREN drinking “healthy” smoothies over full-fat fizzy pop could be consuming THREE TIMES the sugar.
New research shows two thirds of kids’ drinks are bad for their teeth, while hospitals in England are reporting a rise in the number of youngsters needing rotten baby teeth taken out.
Despite smoothies and juices claiming to contribute towards children’s “five a day”, The Sun has found they can actually be much worse than fizzy drinks for sugar content.
Shockingly, a Happy Monkey Strawberry & Banana Smoothie contains almost SIX TEASPOONS of sugar (23g) in each 180ml carton.
The same amount of full-fat Tizer contains fewer than two teaspoons.
The smoothie packaging also claims it contains a full portion of fruit, no sweeteners — and no added sugar.
It is easy to see how parents can make the wrong choices for their kids’ teeth.
Last year the Government proposed a sugar tax on soft drinks, to take effect in 2018. But this will not cover pure fruit juices or smoothies.
Dr Nigel Carter, of the Oral Health Foundation, said: “There is a lack of awareness in being able to recognise when there are hidden sugars in drinks often marketed as “healthy”, especially smoothies and fruit juices.”
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We also discovered that a 180ml carton of Innocent Just For Kids Pineapple, Apple and Carrot Smoothie contains more than four and a half teaspoons of sugar (18g) — very nearly the maximum recommended daily amount for four to six-year-olds.
The supermarkets own brands can also be super sweet.
Tesco’s Strawberry and Banana Smoothie, which claims to be “two of your five a day”, has two and a half teaspoons of sugar (10.2g) per 100ml — nearly double the same amount of Fanta Fruit Twist.
A 200ml bottle of Marks & Spencer Percy Pig Juice contains more than five teaspoons (21g). Whereas a larger, 330ml can of Lilt has fewer than four (15g).
Last year more than 40,000 children went to hospital to have teeth taken out, with decay the leading cause.
Dental nurse Jemma Teasdale, 33, from Consett, County Durham, believes sugar-filled children’s drinks should be banned.
Jemma, who has two-year-old daughter Mollie, said: “I see kids in the dentist with all their teeth missing.
“It is terrible they advertise these drinks as healthy.
“It is scary when you think what they can do to teeth. It shouldn’t be allowed.”