I am a children’s nutritionist and you are deceived by ice blocks without sugar

According to information from Sydney Pediatric nutritionist Mandy Sacher, not much. What parents don’t necessarily want to hear when the weather gets warmer!

As Mandy is passionate about healthy eating for the whole family, she took to social media to share some discoveries she made while searching for the “healthier” summer treat.

“When you hear the phrase “Health Star Rating,” you think there’s a regulation I can trust, right? This is exactly what I thought until I did some research,” she wrote in her Instagram post.

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Does a good health score mean it is healthy?

Mandy explains that the health star rating used for supermarket products ranks foods based on their macronutrients, but unfortunately a high star rating doesn’t always mean the food is healthier to eat.

“The truth is that the Health Star Rating system is a self-regulated and deceptive marketing scam that allows products containing potentially harmful ingredients to receive a seal of approval or a ‘health halo’ by intentionally failing to list all of the ingredients they contain “Product,” emphasizes Mandy.

“It takes into account the protein, fiber, fat and sodium content, but ignores the extremely highly processed ingredients and the inclusion of preservatives, colors and additives, some of which, by the way, are banned in several countries.”

Grocery shopping is a difficult task for parents. It’s about remembering the things you need, deciphering what’s actually healthy and what’s not, and if you’re crazy enough to take the kids, you know how hard it is to keep them happy (and to stay out of it). candy aisle!).

That’s why Mandy says foods like this are often overlooked.

Speak with Children’s spot Commenting on her post, Mandy admits that she is often surprised at how many parents message her about things they think they should give to their children.

“The number of parents who tell me every day that they have never read labels or realized that food labels are deceiving them is astounding,” she admits. “Many of them are angry and upset that they have been tricked by marketing. They are being deceived and are not sure how this is allowed.”

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There are hidden bugs lurking in your children’s snacks

It doesn’t stop when there are blocks of ice either. Mandy claims that there are many other foods marketed to children that contain hidden evils that don’t make it onto the packaging labels.

According to the mother of two, the worst combination in children’s snacks is colors and preservatives.

“Healthy breakfast cookies that, like granola bars, are marketed as low in sugar and carbohydrates. The ingredient list is full of highly processed and cheap fillers,” she says.

Breakfast drinks, breakfast cereals and pouched yoghurts should also be examined carefully before purchasing.

“We know that these additives and preservatives have a negative impact on growth and well-being and should not be part of children’s daily diet,” adds Mandy.

The hidden numbers in children’s snacks you should know

Now, it’s one thing to tell parents to take the time to read the front and back of the packaging, but it’s a whole other task to actually read them understand what is listed in the article.

Mandy then lists the dangerous numbers hidden in the ingredients list and the health risks they pose to our little ones when consumed.

For example, the number 122 (or azorubine) is a warning sign for Mandy as it can cause eczema, hyperactivity and promote inflammation.

Sunset yellow (110) can also cause problems with hyperactivity, DNA damage, asthma and allergic reactions, she claims.

And then comes amaranth (123), which Mandy says is so harmful that it is banned in the US because it is a possible carcinogen and can cause hyperactivity, skin problems and hypersensitive reactions.

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What is a healthier option?

Of course, it’s best to make it yourself because then parents will know exactly what’s in the fresh snack or treat.

But if you’re looking for a healthier alternative in the ice block section of the supermarket, there are other options available.

“Juices are absolutely a good option, but just look for real ingredients, not numbers and things you don’t recognize as real food,” she says.

Mandy told Kidpsot that by sharing the key ingredients, she hopes to better inform parents about what they are buying when relying solely on the items’ health ratings.

She also hopes that raising awareness of the issue will help schools make more informed decisions about what is offered to children in school cafeterias.

You can read more about it her contribution to Zooper Doopers here.