Valio, a major food producer from Finland, has committed to lowering sugar content in their products by the year 2020. This decision is part of a United Nations sustainability program that involves efforts to improve public health and environmental efforts. The UN is on a mission to eradicate poverty and improve well-being and health in environmentally sustainable ways. These lofty and admirable goals require efforts from companies around the world.
Valio’s goal to lower sugar content helps consumers reduce sugar intake and makes it easier for people to make low-sugar recipes. Senior Vice President of Research and Technology with Valio states, “Valio has always listened carefully to consumer needs and at the moment we see that consumers are very concerned about sugar content in various food products, especially in snack products.”
Aligned with their commitment to great-tasting food, Valio understands that taste is not something consumers are willing to give up. But reduced sugar and the quest for health is an issue close to their hearts, and they’re committed to providing flavorful food that satisfies the health and nutrition requirements of world-wide consumers.
About Valio
Valio is a dairy co-operative owned by farmers. Their dairy products are made from pure Finnish milk. Founded in 1905, Valio is the largest dairy company in Finland. They put emphasis on delivering what consumers want while also providing the nutrition consumers need.
Other Companies Are Cutting Sugar
Coca-Cola has been quietly cutting sugar in its products for a number of years, including a 37 percent sugar reduction in Sprite. They’re using stevia plant extract, a zero-calorie sweetener that comes from the leaves of the stevia plant.
Studies show that not only is stevia 100-300 times sweeter than table sugar, it also has some health benefits. It contains folic acid, vitamin C, and healthy amino acids. Surprisingly, it also acts as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antifungal in its purest form. Stevia is a great sweetener for people who need more restricted calorie diets.1
Coca-Cola is taking further measures against sugar consumption. They're reducing the size of their soda cans, using clearer labels on their packaging, and formulating zero-sugar recipes.
Kellogg’s is also cutting sugar in children’s cereals by up to 40 percent this year. Sugar content in Rice Krispies will decrease by 20 percent per serving. Coco Pops will see a 50 percent sugar reduction by July of this year.2
Why the Sugar Backlash?
Companies like Valio, Coca-Cola, and Kellogg’s are following consumer demand amid insurmountable scientific evidence that points to sugar as a leading cause of metabolic diseases such as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.3 A high consumption of sugar is also directly associated with insulin resistance and diabetes.4
Studies also show that people who eat high amounts of sugar are at much higher risk of developing cancer.5
Furthermore, many studies have found a strong link between sugar intake and obesity.6 In light of the fact that an estimated 160 million Americans struggle with obesity and unhealthy weight, it's no wonder that consumers are demanding for food companies to cut sugar across the board.
The Sweetness of Keto
Going keto doesn’t mean saying goodbye to tasty desserts forever. In fact, you can enjoy some wonderfully flavorful, low-carb desserts by following these recipes right here on SoNourished. While on the ketogenic diet, there is no need for the harmful effects of sugar, so we replace sugar with healthier, naturally-derived alternatives such as erythritol and stevia powder.
As the world moves toward a lower-sugar existence, we can all come to realize that we’re not actually giving anything up by embracing this movement. Instead, we’re gaining increased freedom through better health.
NUTRITIONAL DISCLAIMER
The content on this website should not be taken as medical advice and you should ALWAYS consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. We provide nutritional data for our recipes as a courtesy to our readers. We use Total Keto Diet app software to calculate the nutrition and we remove fiber and sugar alcohols, like erythritol, from the total carbohydrate count to get to the net carb count, as they do not affect your blood glucose levels. You should independently calculate nutritional information on your own and not rely on our data. The website or content herein is not intended to cure, prevent, diagnose or treat any disease. This website shall not be liable for adverse reactions or any other outcome resulting from the use of recipes or recommendations on the Website or actions you take as a result. Any action you take is strictly at your own risk.
Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD is an aesthetic medicine specialist whose work focuses on patients who are treated for obesity, metabolic syndrome, and other weight-related issues through nutritional analysis, keto diet programs, and supporting medications.
- Love Good Fats Secures Funding and Launches in the U.S. - April 5, 2019
- Food and Beverage Manufacturers Cut Sugar Quickly - August 15, 2018
- Are Low-Carb Desserts the Next Big Thing? - July 12, 2018
