Is sugar free food for the elderly an intelligence tax? Three sets of experimental data reveal the truth

The elderly foods labeled as "sugar free" and "low sugar" on supermarket shelves are often much more expensive than ordinary foods, and various health declarations are printed on the packaging. But tearing apart these glamorous garments, the truth may come as a surprise - you may think you're paying for your health, but in reality, you're just paying a 'health tax'.

1. Are sugar free foods really sugar free?

1. The Trick of Sugar Alcohol Substitutes

Many sugar free foods use sugar alcohols instead of sucrose. Although calorie intake does decrease, excessive intake may cause bloating and diarrhea. More importantly, some products compensate for the lack of taste by adding more fat, resulting in higher calorie content.

2. Hidden Sugar Boosting Master

Some foods that claim to be sugar free may add fast sugar boosting ingredients such as maltodextrin, which may cause a more severe blood sugar reaction than eating white sugar. Pay special attention to the ingredients listed at the top of the ingredient list when making a purchase.

3. The Misconception of Natural ≠ Low Sugar

Although "natural sweeteners" such as honey and maple syrup sound healthy, their glycemic index and calories are not low. Some businesses use this cognitive bias to mislead consumers.

2. Is the exclusive formula for the elderly a marketing gimmick?

1. The Real Effect of Nutritional Fortification

Adding nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D does have benefits, but absorption rate is affected by multiple factors. Getting nutrition through natural food is always the first choice.

2. The necessity of texture adjustment

Soft foods are indeed helpful for elderly people who have difficulty chewing. But many products only soften ordinary food and sell them at a premium under the banner of "elderly exclusive".

3. The balance point for reducing salt and oil

Excessive pursuit of low salt may lead to difficulty swallowing food, which in turn affects food intake. The reasonable approach is to gradually adjust according to individual circumstances, rather than blindly choosing extremely low sodium products. How to avoid the consumption trap of sugar free food?

1. The Three Key Points to understanding Labels

When viewing the nutrition chart, focus on comparing the content per 100 grams and be wary of combinations that are "low in sugar" but high in fat. The simpler the ingredient list, the better. Be cautious if there are too many unfamiliar chemical names.

2. Reasonable evaluation of cost-effectiveness

Calculate the unit weight price, and the cost of many "elderly foods" is mainly spent on packaging and marketing. Reasonable consumption of similar ordinary foods can also achieve the same effect.

3. Personalized needs matching

diabetes patients should focus on glycemic index, and hypertension patients need to control sodium content. There is no single product suitable for all elderly people, so it is important to clarify your own needs before making a choice. The core of a healthy diet is always balance and moderation. Instead of spending a lot of money on various "exclusive foods", it's better to invest money in fresher and more diverse natural ingredients. Remember, no matter how touching the marketing language on food packaging is, it cannot compare to the effort you put into cooking it yourself.