Convenience Comes at a Cost: Study Reveals High Carbohydrates in Packaged Foods

The food preferences of Indians are undergoing significant change. While traditional diets once included raw vegetables and coarse grains, there is now an increasing reliance on processed foods. Doctors are raising concerns about the impact of this dietary shift on citizens' health and its contribution to the growing burden on the healthcare system.

This year's Economic Survey of India, referenced by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), reported that unhealthy diets contribute to 56.4% of the total disease burden in the country.

A study was conducted on 432 convenience food products in five categories -- idli mixes, breakfast cereals, porridge mixes, beverage mixes, and extruded snacks. It revealed that despite 80% of the food items complying with the nutrient information on their labels, are high in carbohydrates. The extruded (‘puffed’ or ‘expanded’) snacks were found to be high in fats.

Shobana Shanmugam et al published an assessment of the front and back of nutrition labels of selected convenience food products and snacks available in our market in Plos.

The nutritional information provided on the pack labels of these selected packaged foods was profiled based on the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): healthy, moderately healthy, and less healthy based on their fat, saturated fat, and sugar content.

All the food products were in healthy or moderately healthy categories, except extruded snacks, which provided over 70% of the energy from carbohydrates and over 47% of the energy from fat.

Additionally, it has shown that low GI foods are scarce for the diabetic population.

Scientists say that we need to reformulate the packaged and processed food available. More protein content would be desirable, legumes and pulses should be incorporated while fat and sodium content should be reduced.

As the market for convenience food grows more emphasis should be given to labeling that essentially shows how healthy the products are.

Excessive consumption of carbohydrates puts a strain on the pancreas, thereby increasing the risk for type 2 diabetes. An average Indian consumes 2,000 - 3,000 calories per day far more than necessary. Reducing calories consumed is crucial to maintaining good health.

Reference:

1. Shobana S, Sangavi G, Wuni R, et al. Assessment of front and back of pack nutrition labels of selected convenience food products and snacks available in the Indian market. PLoS One. 2024;19(12):e0314819. Published 2024 Dec 6. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0314819

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Dr.Swati Sharma/MSM)