Health Ministry launches campaign to reduce sugar consumption among Thais

[Lite Beer]

Health Ministry launches campaign to reduce sugar consumption among Thais

BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Public Health has sought cooperation from sugar producers to reduce the size of sugar packs from six grammes to four grammes per pack in a bid to reduce sugar consumption among Thais, said Public Health Minister Dr Piyasakol Sakolsattayathorn on Tuesday.

Thai people consume an average of 30 kilogrammes of sugar per head per year or more than 20 teaspoons a day which is three times higher than the amount recommended by the World Health Organisation.

Dr Piyasakol said that over-consumption of sugar has contributed to non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart diseases.

The Public Health Ministry has found it necessary to instill a new value among Thais by encouraging them to consume less sugar. Apart from seeking cooperation from sugar producers to reduce the size of sugar packs to just four grammes, he said hotels would also be asked to supply 4-gramme sugar packs to their conference rooms, said the minister.

The aim of this campaign is to reduce sugar consumption among Thais to no more than 24 grammes per head per day.

Health Department chief Dr Pornthep Siriwanarangsan said the department and its networks have introduced a health food programme during meetings staged by the department and its networks during which fruits and sugar-free sweets and 4-gramme sugar packs will be served during breaks.

Café Amazon coffee outlet at the Health Department will be the first that joined the campaign to reduce sugar consumption.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/health-ministry-launches-campaign-to-reduce-sugar-consumption-among-thais

-- Thai PBS 2015-09-29

[TheCruncher]

So that means Thais will now use 8 gr ( 2 x4) instead of 6 gram in their coffee.

[Jingthing]

How can they get Thai cooks to stop loading sugar onto the food?

Desserts, I understand, but Thai cooks seem to put too much sugar in most everything.

[RubbaJohnny]

Cane and able

[MadMac]

I think a good move wold be to reduce the size of the Nescafe packs but keep the same price. Same as they did with the beer.

Singha as role model, closely followed by Chang. Nestle could be no. 1 again in the next marketing scam.

[Jingthing]

If the government was serious (doubt it) they should heavily tax sugar laden foods like sodas and also heavily processed foods which are loaded with sugars. They could use the money to subsidize healthier choice foods for poorer people. Also clear and big WARNING LABELS on such foods.

Edited September 29, 2015 by Jingthing

[kkerry]

They might want to look at all the 3 in 1 type coffee sachets, plenty with high sugar content. Some of the ice coffee and cappuccino varieties are 50% sugar when you read the labels, but most people never do.

[Chang_paarp]

How can they get Thai cooks to stop loading sugar onto the food?

Desserts, I understand, but Thai cooks seem to put too much sugar in most everything.

It balances out the salt of the fish sauce and the curry paste.

[Jingthing]

How can they get Thai cooks to stop loading sugar onto the food?

Desserts, I understand, but Thai cooks seem to put too much sugar in most everything.

It balances out the salt of the fish sauce and the curry paste.

Not talking about using some for balance. Talking about using way too much. It's a fact that Thai food in Thailand has gotten a LOT sweeter in modern times. Ask some old Thais. Trust me.

Edited September 29, 2015 by Jingthing

[schondie]

Trying to reduce the consumption of sugar here is about as easy as pushing water uphill with your hands.

[Jingthing]

Trying to reduce the consumption of sugar here is about as easy as pushing water uphill with your hands.

Perhaps. But it can be done. Just takes the will to do it.

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/06/19/415741354/mexicos-sugary-drink-tax-makes-a-dent-in-consumption-study-claims

[ikke]

So ask the cane farmers to start growing rice, Oh no, can't no water.......Maybe good idea to ask the farmers to join the army.

[hkt83100]

They might want to look at all the 3 in 1 type coffee sachets, plenty with high sugar content. Some of the ice coffee and cappuccino varieties are 50% sugar when you read the labels, but most people never do.

Look at that Ice Tea or Birdie junk, it is horrible. And by the way, why on earth do the people need several spoons of sugar on their noodle soup?

[robertthebruce]

Sugar , Syrup , Salt.... Soy Sauce.....

all bad for you..... especially the amounts that are laden into Thai Food....

[Thai at Heart]

Isn't the domestic price capped below the global price? Let it rise and make soft drinks and sweets more expensive at the wipe of a pen. Sugar is the new tobacco.

Think about it, refined sugaf is the one thing in our diet that we do not need at all. Meat, fruit and veg has all the sugar you need.

[ukrules]

I'm a fan of the artificial sweeteners, I think my favourite of them all is aspartame as used in Equal.

This is a country where you can't buy a non sugar artificially sweetened version of Indian Tonic Water, it's an outrage !

I heard the sodastream company make a concentrate for the tonic water but I haven't tried it yet because I've never seen it on sale over here. I'll have someone bring me a bottle over when they come. I guess I can just mix it into the regular bottles of soda water and hope for a reasonable result.

For now though it's the full sugar version when I want a G&T as that's all they sell.

[ZuluSixNine]

The Public Health Ministry has found it necessary to instill a new value among Thais by encouraging them to consume less sugar.

You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink it!!!

[ZuluSixNine]

I'm a fan of the artificial sweeteners, I think my favourite of them all is aspartame as used in Equal.

This is a country where you can't buy a non sugar artificially sweetened version of Indian Tonic Water, it's an outrage !

I heard the sodastream company make a concentrate for the tonic water but I haven't tried it yet because I've never seen it on sale over here. I'll have someone bring me a bottle over when they come. I guess I can just mix it into the regular bottles of soda water and hope for a reasonable result.

For now though it's the full sugar version when I want a G&T as that's all they sell.

Adverse reactions and side effects of aspartame include:

Eye

blindness in one or both eyes

decreased vision and/or other eye problems such as: blurring, bright flashes, squiggly lines, tunnel vision, decreased night vision

pain in one or both eyes

decreased tears

trouble with contact lenses

bulging eyes

Ear

tinnitus - ringing or buzzing sound

severe intolerance of noise

marked hearing impairment

Neurologic

epileptic seizures

headaches, migraines and (some severe)

dizziness, unsteadiness, both

confusion, memory loss, both

severe drowsiness and sleepiness

paresthesia or numbness of the limbs

severe slurring of speech

severe hyperactivity and restless legs

atypical facial pain

severe tremors

Psychological/Psychiatric

severe depression

irritability

aggression

anxiety

personality changes

insomnia

phobias

Chest

palpitations, tachycardia

shortness of breath

recent high blood pressure

Gastrointestinal

nausea

diarrhea, sometimes with blood in stools

abdominal pain

pain when swallowing

Skin and Allergies

itching without a rash

lip and mouth reactions

hives

aggravated respiratory allergies such as asthma

Endocrine and Metabolic

loss of control of diabetes

menstrual changes

marked thinning or loss of hair

marked weight loss

gradual weight gain

aggravated low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

[ukrules]

I'm a fan of the artificial sweeteners, I think my favourite of them all is aspartame as used in Equal.

This is a country where you can't buy a non sugar artificially sweetened version of Indian Tonic Water, it's an outrage !

I heard the sodastream company make a concentrate for the tonic water but I haven't tried it yet because I've never seen it on sale over here. I'll have someone bring me a bottle over when they come. I guess I can just mix it into the regular bottles of soda water and hope for a reasonable result.

For now though it's the full sugar version when I want a G&T as that's all they sell.

Adverse reactions and side effects of aspartame include:

Eye

blindness in one or both eyes

decreased vision and/or other eye problems such as: blurring, bright flashes, squiggly lines, tunnel vision, decreased night vision

pain in one or both eyes

decreased tears

trouble with contact lenses

bulging eyes

Ear

tinnitus - ringing or buzzing sound

severe intolerance of noise

marked hearing impairment

Neurologic

epileptic seizures

headaches, migraines and (some severe)

dizziness, unsteadiness, both

confusion, memory loss, both

severe drowsiness and sleepiness

paresthesia or numbness of the limbs

severe slurring of speech

severe hyperactivity and restless legs

atypical facial pain

severe tremors

Psychological/Psychiatric

severe depression

irritability

aggression

anxiety

personality changes

insomnia

phobias

Chest

palpitations, tachycardia

shortness of breath

recent high blood pressure

Gastrointestinal

nausea

diarrhea, sometimes with blood in stools

abdominal pain

pain when swallowing

Skin and Allergies

itching without a rash

lip and mouth reactions

hives

aggravated respiratory allergies such as asthma

Endocrine and Metabolic

loss of control of diabetes

menstrual changes

marked thinning or loss of hair

marked weight loss

gradual weight gain

aggravated low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

Yes, some tiny fraction of people are affected by some even smaller subset of the above reactions. I know for sure I'm not one of them and I've been using this stuff for many years so why should I care ?

If it doesn't work for you, avoid it.

There's always someone who's allergic to something - check this out : Have you heard about ibuprofen and it's most serious adverse reaction - the one where all your skin comes off, you go to a burn unit and they treat you, maybe you survive, maybe you don't.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/teenage-girl-wins-109-million-payout-after-ibuprofen-leaves-her-brain-damaged-blind-and-causes-90-8494775.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/10/30/calvin-lock-boy-11-shed-skin-allergy-ibuprofen_n_2042884.html

What's described above is a real and serious reaction, it used to be known as an allergy before that word was hijacked by the 'food fad' industry. It's known as SJS (Stevens Johnson Syndrome) and it's later stages Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. People die from this.

Edited September 29, 2015 by ukrules

[Jingthing]

Geez.

Just drink WATER!

“When they think they’re doing something good by drinking artificially sweetened beverages, it’s actually totally counterproductive.”

http://time.com/3746047/diet-soda-bad-belly-fat/

Edited September 29, 2015 by Jingthing

[zyphodb]

Thais reduce sugar intake? never going to happen, haven't you noticed more & more little Sumo wrestlers walking around? the really sad thing is that most of their parents are PROUD of them...

[canuckamuck]

So the government has determined that Thais are getting their daily sugar from sugar satchets? How many drinks arrive at the table that are not already sweet?

You want to fix the diabetes, tell them it isn't smart to eat rice three times a day.

[Ricardo]

Just wish there was a wider range of sugar-free or low-sugar sodas available here.

Nutritional-labeling is also way below western-standards IME, which is a problem for diabetics, or those on a diet.

[SantiSuk]

The Public Health Ministry has found it necessary to instill a new value among Thais by encouraging them to consume less sugar.

You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink it!!!

Legislate, don't pontificate!

[Prbkk]

Good. Even Prayut is looking a bit chubby these days, probably reflecting the fact that he is sitting at a desk and less physically active.

A good start would be to close down the merchants of death...Mc Donalds, Starbucks, Dunkin Donut, Krispy Creme, Jollybee. Pure evil.

The sugar in Thai food, as a masking agent, is far more pronounced now than in previous times.

[eldragon]

Good idea. And while they're at, why don't they get rid of the MSG and teach people how to cook without it again.

[thesetat2013]

How can they get Thai cooks to stop loading sugar onto the food?

Desserts, I understand, but Thai cooks seem to put too much sugar in most everything.

It balances out the salt of the fish sauce and the curry paste.

Not talking about using some for balance. Talking about using way too much. It's a fact that Thai food in Thailand has gotten a LOT sweeter in modern times. Ask some old Thais. Trust me.

You are not kidding! I'm in a battle to get my kids grandparents to stop shoving sweets down my kids throats. Every time they decide they want to give food to my 1 year old it is always something loaded with sugar. Kids dont need sugar and Thais think it's cute to see a kid bouncing off of the walls

[Toknarok]

Years ago I was putting on weight so I decided to cut out adding sugar to my tea or coffee. It was difficult at first but I got used to it. Now if someone offers me tea with sugar I cannot drink it.

[nikmar]

My wife was complaining about this just recently after I took my family to a Japanese chain restaurant for my sons birthday. (His choice)

EVERYTHING we ordered was way too sweet. This carried on into the evening when we ordered somtam khai khem, which again was too sweet and we specifically asked for "mai wan na khrap."

She also told me about a facebook post she saw where a Thai mother was proudly proclaiming that in order to get her little boy to eat cereal she poured sugar over it.

A, worrying, sign of the times I think.

[nikmar]

How can they get Thai cooks to stop loading sugar onto the food?

Desserts, I understand, but Thai cooks seem to put too much sugar in most everything.

It balances out the salt of the fish sauce and the curry paste.

Not talking about using some for balance. Talking about using way too much. It's a fact that Thai food in Thailand has gotten a LOT sweeter in modern times. Ask some old Thais. Trust me.

You are not kidding! I'm in a battle to get my kids grandparents to stop shoving sweets down my kids throats. Every time they decide they want to give food to my 1 year old it is always something loaded with sugar. Kids dont need sugar and Thais think it's cute to see a kid bouncing off of the walls

I know exactly where you're coming from mate. My 8 year old gets drowned in <deleted> pepsi when he visits. They give it him for breakfast and then wonder why I get angry about it!!