| From fruit juice and milk, to carbonated and
energy drinks, find out what your favourite soft drinks
really contain.
Fruit juices
Pure, unsweetened fruit juices are particularly good sources of vitamins and minerals, and are a great way of replenishing lost fluids in the body.
It is recommended that we consume five portions of fruit and vegetables every day to protect against a variety of diseases. Pure fruit juices contain the same vitamins, minerals and special phytochemicals as fresh fruit (although not the fibre or pectins) and are included in the 'five-a-day' message. One glass of pure unsweetened fruit juice counts as one portion. So why not start the day right by including a glass of pure fruit juice with your breakfast? Or you try a nutritious fruit smoothie. They're easy to make, full of vitamins and, because they contain real fruit, are filling too - making them the perfect breakfast drink.
Don't confuse pure fruit juice with fruit/juice drinks, which usually contain between five and 25 per cent pure fruit juice. These drinks don't have the same health benefits and tend to contain added sugar. Tooth decay has been linked to excessive consumption of sugary drinks; the sugar added to such drinks is more harmful to teeth than the naturally occurring sugars found in fruits and pure fruit juice.
Dairy drinks
Milk, milk-flavoured drinks and yoghurt drinks are great sources of calcium, needed for strong, healthy teeth and bones and to prevent of osteoporosis. A recent National Diet and Nutrition Survey revealed that calcium intake in teenagers and children is at an all-time low, with up to 25 per cent of teenage girls having intakes below recommended levels.
Dairy products and milk are great sources of easily absorbable calcium and should provide about half of our daily requirement. The National Dairy Council advises that one glass of milk at every meal is sufficient for most people to ensure their calcium needs are met.
As some dairy products contain quite a high proportion of fat, many people have cut their consumption. However, the increased availability of reduced-fat products means we can enjoy the nutritional benefits of dairy products without worrying about piling on the pounds.
Semi-skimmed and skimmed milk are much lower in fat than whole milk, yet still contain the same amount of calcium. These types of milk are advised for the general population over the age of five. For children under five, whole milk should be encouraged, although semi-skimmed milk may be used from the age of two if the rest of the diet supplies adequate amounts of energy.
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