Soon you may have to shell out extra cash to fund your Diet Coke obsession, as a new proposal hopes to put a ‘sugar tax’ on carbonated drinks.
If it comes into play, we’ll be paying a tax of at least 20% for our fizzy beverages, which might not be such a bad thing when you consider their threat to our health.
The tax has come back into the spotlight after GP turned politician Dr Sophie Scamps called on the government to implement it amid a growing diabetes epidemic, which she has labelled a “tragedy in motion”. Dr Scamps plea comes as about 1.5 million Australians are known to be living with a form of diabetes.
Why are they proposing the tax?
Diabetes is becoming one of the fastest growing chronic health conditions in the nation, with almost 2 million people affected – so much so that an Australian develops diabetes every five minutes.
A parliamentary committee investigating the impact of diabetes released a report on Wednesday that found “obesity in Australia goes hand in hand with our diabetes epidemic”.
The report said type 2 diabetes was placing an increasing burden on health resources “across virtually the entire health spectrum of disease”, from doctors treating children, pregnant women and elderly patients, to brain, heart, arteries and eye specialists.
The parliamentary committee, chaired by Dr Mike Freelander, made 23 recommendations. Among them was a measure 108 other countries have adopted and which Australian health advocates think should be copied: a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.
What is the tax?
The peak body for Australian doctors, the Australian Medical Association, recommends the tax be set at $0.40 per 100 grams of sugar, which they say would bring it in line with the World Health Organisation’s recommendation that a tax would need to raise the retail price of sugary drinks by at least 20% to have a meaningful health effect.
It targets water-based drinks with added sweeteners, such as high-fructose corn syrup or fruit juice concentrate. They can include soft drinks, sports drinks, fruit drinks, energy drinks and cordials – drinks with a high number of liquid calories which provide almost no nutritional benefit.
Some 40 countries have already introduced similar measures, including the UK, Norway, Mexico and Chile.
What about fruit juice?
While fruit juice isn’t included in the proposed tax, alongside milk-based drinks, it should not be a substitute for whole fruit and should be consumed in moderation, as part of a balanced diet. That’s because even natural juices and smoothies, that have zero added sugar, don’t have the same benefits as whole fruits.
The sugars found in fruits are contained within their structure but this sugar is released when the fruit is blended and quickly absorbed by the body, therefore, if consumed regularly, you could damage your teeth and increase the risk of weight gain and associated health complications.
Alternatives to sugary drinks
Unlike food, most beverages do not contain any fibre, which helps you feel fuller longer. This is why you most likely feel peckish soon after drinking a sugar-laden beverage and find yourself reaching for a snack, essentially leading to more calories consumed that day.
In addition to water and zero-calorie beverages, there are a variety of low-calorie options that come with some extra health benefits. Here are some to add to your shopping list.
1. Water
I know, I know, boring right? Not so fast. Staying hydrated is really key for your metabolism, circulation, energy, digestion, and every function in your body.
2. Herbal Tea
Green tea is linked to a lower weight, BMI, and body fat percentage, a 2019 study in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found. Then there’s lavender and chamomile teas which are useful for relaxation, or peppermint tea may help with digestion.
3. Smoothies
Try combining at least 20 grams of protein, one or two fruit servings, a handful of spinach or another green of choice, one serving of unsaturated fat, and one cup of water or non-dairy milk/skim milk for liquid.
4. Green Juice
Green juice can pack in the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, but it doesn’t have the same fiber as eating the vegetables whole, which is why you need to be mindful of the kinds of juices you consume.
5. Coconut Water
Coconut water is full of electrolytes, which is great for rehydrating the body. It’s also a good source of vitamin C, magnesium, manganese, and potassium.
