Too much sugar and carbs in South African Diet

Published February 2, 2017, by Mologadi Makwela

A study funded by the Centre of Excellence in Food Security has revealed that most South Africans consume high-energy but nutrient poor foods.

Professor Hettie Schönfeldt of the University of Pretoria, together with colleagues from the University of Cape Town and the Human Sciences Research Council, conducted a review of all dietary studies, in an attempt to portray typical adult dietary intakes and to assess possible dietary deficiencies.

Using online data and data from libraries, the researchers reviewed the diets of adults and children between 2000 and 2015.

What the study revealed is worrying; the study found that while the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended average energy intake for adults to lead a healthy and active lifestyle is 8 700 kilojoules (kJ), South African males were consuming between 6 100kJ to 13 974kJ, and females between 5 400kJ and 11 978kJ. “This indicates that many South Africans are either underweight or overweight, both of which have serious health implications,” says Professor Schönfeldt.

A closer look at the source of their energy intake revealed that people consume too much sugar and carbohydrates, and too little protein, added Schönfeldt.

According to WHO, essential nutrients for humans include protein, carbohydrates, fats and lipids, a range of vitamins, and a host of minerals and trace elements.

Many countries, including South Africa, use the WHO’s recommended dietary guidelines for populations across the world. However, the reality in South Africa is that most people cannot afford to eat according to WHO standards.

Although the fat intake was within WHO recommendations, the type of fat consumed was also a concern. Similarly, the amounts of essential micronutrients like vitamins and minerals in people’s diets varied greatly, and people from rural and urban populations consumed vastly different amounts of food.

Further, the study revealed that most South Africans eat refined foods. Refined food is food that has been processed to look and taste different than in its original state.

Many white breads have had the nutrient-rich bran and germ removed from the grain, leaving the bread with very little nutritional value

Professor Hettie Schönfeldt

The research also shows that adult diets are changing – even in rural, traditionally subsistence-based communities – to energy-rich but nutrient-poor foods. As these diets can lead to obesity and type 2 diabetes, more education on the value of healthy but affordable foods is urgently needed.