As concerns grow over the health impacts of high-sugar packaged health drinks, many parents are turning to natural alternatives for their children. After an influencer recently criticised the sugar content of a popular health drink brand, Executive Nutritionist at the Cloudnine Group of Hospitals in Pune, Shruti Keluskar, has suggested some homemade health drinks that are both tasty and healthy. Packaged health drinks often contain very high sugar levels, with some containing up to 37 grams of sugar per 100 grams of product. The NHS has warned that a diet high in free sugars can lead to weight gain and tooth decay, and recommend that children aged 7 to 10 consume no more than 24 grams of free sugars per day. Satisfaction from sugar can cause temporary feelings of happiness due to increased dopamine levels in the brain, but excessive consumption can lead to insulin resistance and diabetes. Some of the recipes suggested by Keluskar include mango lassi made using hung curd and coconut milk, a healthy version of malt, sattu sherbet made using powdered jaggery, and a nut shake containing almonds, walnuts, oats, and chia seeds. Parents may also consider making fresh fruit juices instead of relying on juice boxes.
