UNS — Covid-19 pandemic teaches people the importance of maintaining health and cleanliness. However, for some people with a tight work-from-home schedule, health is often neglected because of the close job deadlines. This lifestyle leads to unhealthy eating that pays little regard to daily nutritional needs.
Not to mention the label of ‘self-rewards’ and ‘cheating day’ that often lies on a thin line of permissiveness in unhealthy food and beverages consumption under the pretext of ‘reward’ for jobs or diet they performed. People could order online food delivery multiple times a day that contains high sugar and sodium level. According to the nutritionist of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta Hospital, Banun Ma’rifah Fatshidi, S.Gz., this behavior is unhealthy because of high sugar and sodium levels in foods and beverages could lead to numerous illnesses.
“The risk of high sugar is diabetes mellitus,” Banun stated as reported by uns.ac.id from UNS Hospital YouTube channel on Monday (14/2/2022). In comparison, high sodium intake increases the risk of high blood pressure.
Controlling Sugar and Sodium Level
Because sugar and sodium intake are often ignored by people, Banun shared tips to control both food components. First, she suggested that people obey the direction of sugar, sodium, and fat consumption from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Decree (Permenkes) Number 30 of 2013 concerning the Disclosure of Sugar, Sodium, and Fat and Health Notes on Processed and Ready Foods. “The guideline is G4 G1 L5,” Banun stated.
G4 G1 L5 refers to 10% of total daily calory needs or 200 kcal from sugar. “Sugar four dessert spoons per person or equal to 50 grams per person per day,” she explained.
Then 2,000 mg sodium or one teaspoon per person per day. For household needs, it is equal to 50 grams per person per day. Besides G4 G1 L5, Banun also asked people to track their food intake.
“If you drink sweet tea in the morning, you need to track that you don’t consumer sweet foods or beverages in the afternoon and evening,” Banun added.
She explained that, in general, sugar is the result of carbohydrate metabolism with complex chemical structures. While salts with sodium and Banun asked people to limit their intake of excessively seasoned foods. Humas UNS
Reporter: Y.C.A. Sanjaya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti