Table of contents:
- Sweetened condensed milk facts you need to know
- 1. Unlike cow's milk
- 2. Not for consumption of infants and children
- 3. Not to be drunk every day
- 4. Risk for health
- 5. Can be consumed, as long as you don't overdo it
You are certainly familiar with sweetened condensed milk (SKM), right? This thick, sweet-flavored milk is actually being talked about. The Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) issued a ban on the appearance of children on the label and on the packaging. Some advertisements have even been withdrawn from circulation because they do not comply with these regulations.
So, why is sweetened condensed milk so controversial these days? Find out the full facts here.
Sweetened condensed milk facts you need to know
Sweetened condensed milk is appetizing because it has a sweet taste. Generally, this milk is used as a topping or mixture in food or drinks. Some parents even give this milk to toddlers. However, you have to be careful because the benefits of this milk are not necessarily as sweet as it tastes.
Here are some facts about SKM that you need to know:
1. Unlike cow's milk
SKM comes from cow's milk. However, the water content in it has been taken and disposed of through the evaporation or evaporation process. Besides being evaporated, this milk is also given added sugar so that the texture becomes thicker and stickier. Unfortunately, this actually causes the protein content in it to be lower, while the sugar and calorie levels are high.
In contrast to the content of cow's milk which has a high enough protein content and contains many other vitamins that the body needs. Not only that, cow's milk is also equipped with various other nutrients such as fat, carbohydrates, calcium, vitamin D and vitamin A.
In fact, one sachets SKM has calories of 180 kcal with details of 67% carbohydrates, 30% fat, and 3% protein. Meanwhile, 1 glass of fresh cow's milk has 146 kcal calories with details of 49% fat, 30% carbohydrates, and 21% protein.
Therefore, SKM is not the same as cow's milk and even cannot be used as a substitute for cow's milk the usual.
2. Not for consumption of infants and children
So far, many people think that SKM is good for consumption every day. It can even be given regularly to toddlers. This perception is misleading.
According to the Indonesian Pediatric Association (IDAI), sweetened condensed milk should not be given to babies and children. Sweetened condensed milk cannot meet the nutritional needs of children because this milk has lost a lot of nutrients in the processing process.
In addition, the added sugar content in it is also a threat if consumed by children. The level of added sugar in food for children recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) is less than 10 percent of total calorie needs.
SKM has high levels of added sugar and exceeds this limit. In one serving (4 tablespoons) of one of the sweetened condensed milk sold in the market, the calories reach 130 kcal with 19 grams of added sugar and 1 gram of protein.
Not only that, if children have been introduced to eating sweet foods since their childhood, they will not want to try other types of food that are more nutrient-rich. This is why sweetened condensed milk is not recommended for babies and children.
3. Not to be drunk every day
Based on a recommendation from the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), this thick, sweet-flavored milknot recommended for consumption every day. This is because the high sugar and fat content can interfere with health.
Conversely, this type of milk is more suitable for consumption as a complement to food or drinks. For example, as a coffee sweetener, as expressed by Kirana Pritasari, Director General of Public Health, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, quoted from the website of the Indonesian Ministry of Health.
4. Risk for health
Did you know that behind the sweet taste of sweetened condensed milk, there are health hazards that should not be taken lightly? Yes, besides the nutritional content which is far less than regular cow's milk, it turns out that consuming too much sweetened condensed milk is also a risk to your health. This is because sweetened condensed milk contains very high amounts of sugar.
Eating too much food that is high in sugar can cause you to develop diabetes (diabetes), obesity or being overweight, and tooth decay. Not only that, eating too much sweet food can also trigger various chronic diseases such as heart disease or stroke.
Therefore, sweetened condensed milk is not recommended for consumption every day. Moreover, to meet the nutritional needs of children in their infancy.
5. Can be consumed, as long as you don't overdo it
From the explanation above, you must be wondering, so can sweetened condensed milk be consumed? The answer, of course, can be consumed. However, make sure you don't overdo it.
Always remember, that SKM functions as a food complement only and is not a good milk to be consumed regularly every day. If you drink ice or eat cookies, you can still use condensed milk. However, don't drink sweetened condensed milk to brew it or dissolve it in water every day!
In addition, do not use milk that has a thick sweet taste as a substitute for breast milk or milk that is routinely consumed by children every day. Last but not least, avoid consuming sweetened condensed milk if you have a history of diabetes. High SCM sugar content can cause blood sugar levels to become uncontrollable, especially in people with diabetes.
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