Many packaged, convenient foods high in carbohydrates: Study

A study of 432 convenience food products ranging from idli mix, breakfast cereal, dalia mix, beverage mix and extruded snacks found that 80 per cent of these food items complied with the nutritional information on their labels, while most of them were high in carbohydrates, while extruded (‘puffed’ or ‘extended’) snacks are high in fat.

study, Evaluation of Front and Back of Pack Nutrition Labels of Selected Convenience Food Products and Snacks Available in the Indian Market By Shobana Shanmugam et al., was published in Plos one earlier this month.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the nutritional information provided on the pack labels of these selected packaged foods. Nutritional profiling of foods was based on Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) claims rules. The healthiness of packaged foods was assessed using the Nutrition Traffic Light system, the study said. Products were categorized into ‘healthy’, ‘moderately healthy’ and ‘less healthy’ based on fat, saturated fat and sugar content.

The study found that all convenience food products were high in carbohydrate content. The beverage mix had the highest carbohydrate content (35.5 g to 95 g/100 g), while the extruded snacks had the highest fat content (mean 28.3±7.5 g/100 g). Drink mixes were found to have higher sugar content, while soup mixes had higher sodium levels, with lower protein and dietary fiber content.

The study, funded by the Department of Science and Technology, found that most products fell into the ‘healthy’ or ‘moderately healthy’ category, but all products (except extruded snacks) provided more than 70% of energy from carbohydrates. , while extruded snacks provide more than 47% of energy from fat.

“The packaged and processed food available in India needs to be reformed. While many of them provide energy primarily from carbohydrates, this needs to change. More protein content needs to be present by including fruits and pulses. Fat and sodium content also needs to be reduced. As more and more people buy packaged foods and convenience foods are becoming popular, labeling is essential to show customers how healthy products are. Currently, the labeling system is not consistent and can be difficult for customers to understand,” says Shobana Shanmugam, lead author of the paper and senior scientist at the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation.

Dr. RM Anjana, Managing Director of Mohan’s Diabetes Specialty Centre, said that an earlier study showed that maintaining 50% carbohydrates, 20% protein, 25% fat and 5% fiber in your diet can prevent chronic conditions. such as diabetes. She also reiterated the need to read labels carefully and avoid processed foods whenever possible.

Nihal Thomas, Senior Professor, Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Christian Medical College, Vellore, says excessive consumption of carbohydrates affects the pancreas, which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. An average Indian consumes 2,000 to 3,000 calories daily. Cutting calories is important to maintaining good health, he pointed out.

With the changing dietary patterns of India, and the increasing consumption of processed foods, doctors have been raising concerns about the impact of diet on citizens’ health, particularly their contribution to the staggering burden of non-communicable diseases in the country. This year’s Economic Survey of India, citing Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) dietary guidelines, noted that 56.4% of the total disease burden in India is attributable to unhealthy diet.