While some consumers think choosing a lower glucose levels or omitting the honey entirely makes their beverage healthier, some don’t. This is frequently mistaken, which may cause the sugar content of the beverage to be underestimated.
There are three teaspoons of honey in a 500ml bubble tea drink with tapioca jewels, according to the Health Promotion Board, representing 30 % of the recommended daily sugar intake, yet at zero percent.
TACKLING THE OBSESSION WITH SUGARY DRINKS
The Singapore government has taken many steps to address this health issue in recognition of the seriousness of the situation. The Nutri-Grade method mandated front-of-pack nourishment labeling for pre-packaged drink in 2022, and they were extended to freshly prepared drinks in 2023.
About 60 % of restaurants now offer freshly prepared drinks with less sugar as a standard as a result of the” siu dai by default” movement, which encourages food and beverage retailers.
Although this improvement in reducing sugar intake is admirable, the issue remains: Is there enough acknowledgment of Singapore’s unhealthy obsession with sweet beverages?
Education is essential for this. I recently traveled to Singapore and was struck by advertisements in train stations that gave me practical advice on how to be a better speaker to loved ones who are struggling with mental health issues. The outcomes may change the game if related, widely used strategies that spread the word about sweetened drinks are put into place with great foot traffic.
Additionally, more stringent advertising laws might be in place to stop the normalization of wonderful drinks, especially in schools. In the 1990s, I grew up watching Milo advertisements on television that often featured sportsmen, and looking forward to the completely Milo when the vehicles visited our schools on Sports Day. These organizations affected how good I thought malt beverages were.