Introducing the new all electric
Sweet Bites Newsletter
Issue 56 | August 2020
In This Issue
FEATURE: Accentuate the positive
NEWS: Australian Dietary Guidelines to be reviewed
NEWS: Funding to investigate healthy, sustainable and affordable diet for New Zealanders
Welcome
Welcome to issue 56 of Sweet Bites. In this issue our feature article is about positive nutrition. In the midst of so much bad news surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, we are at a time when positive nutrition messages may be better received in the community. Fortunately, the scientific evidence backs this approach as well.
Our news items are the long-awaited announcement of funding for a review of the Australian Dietary Guidelines, and some new funding for research into a sustainable, affordable and healthy diet for new Zealanders.
From the journals we have three papers to share on sugars, carbohydrates and health including a systematic review and meta-analysis on associations between fructose sources in the diet and metabolic syndrome, a paper on how Australian parents are incorporating dental health advice when feeding their children, and confirmation there is no single best diet for weight loss.
We hope you enjoy this issue and invite you to be in touch if you have any feedback on this issue or suggestions for future articles.
Monthly Feature
Why focussing on positive messages is a good strategy for public health
News
Australian Dietary Guidelines to be reviewed
Finally, the announcement we’ve all been waiting for in Australia.
Funding to investigate healthy, sustainable and affordable diet for New Zealanders
What would a healthy, sustainable and affordable diet for New Zealanders look like?
Research Updates
We have three papers to share on sugars, carbohydrates and health:
Association of major food sources of fructose-containing sugars with incident metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
This study found that the adverse association between sugar sweetened beverages and metabolic syndrome does not extend to other sources of fructose such as sweetened yoghurt, fruit and fruit juice in moderate amounts, which are actually protective. Current guidelines suggesting these sources of free sugars need to be limited may need to be re-examined. Read more here.
Are Australian parents following feeding guidelines that will reduce their child’s risk of dental caries?
The most common beverages for young children are milk and water, consistent with dietary guidelines. From 12 months of age, sugar sweetened/sugar containing beverages increased with age, eg fruit juice or fruit drink consumed by 21.8% at 12 months and 76.7% at 4 years of age; and cordial consumed by 7.7% at 12 months and 34.7% at 4 years. Against advice, at 6 months infants were sharing utensils, and at 12 months 75% of carer’s tasted the child’s food before feeding. Read more here.
Comparison of dietary macronutrient patterns of 14 popular named dietary
programmes for weight and cardiovascular risk factor reduction in adults: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised trials.
All diets had similar effects at 6 months and diminished weight loss at 12 months. CVD risk reduction disappeared at 12 months, except for Mediterranean diet. There is inadequate evidence to recommend any particular diet. Read more here.
About Us
The Sugar Nutrition Resource Centre (SNRC) is committed to providing health care professionals with evidence-based information on sugar and nutrition.
Our work continues to be guided by scientific experts from Australia and New Zealand.
As always, we would love to hear any feedback from you.
About the Editor
NICOLE SENIOR
Nutritionist, Sydney
Nicole is an experienced Accredited Practising Dietitian and Nutritionist, author, speaker, blogger, cook and food enthusiast with an interest in turning evidence based nutrition guidelines into sensible, achievable and enjoyable everyday eating advice and supporting other food and health professionals to do the same.
