The government has taken action against the craze for ‘sweet and salty’ and ‘spicy’ foods, which are unhealthy.
Sweet and salty is a food that combines sweet and salty, and spicy is eating spicy food followed by sweet food.
However, if you eat food like this, your sodium and sugar intake increases rapidly.
Koreans’ love for sweet, salty and spicy foods has been proven by statistics. The average daily sodium intake of Koreans is 3,074 mg, which is 1.5 times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended standard.
Sugar intake is less than recommended, but exceeds the standard for women ages 6 to 29.
Photos to help you understand the article / Kruadotco-Shutterstock.com
In the end, the government decided to develop less salty and less sweet foods and put them on the market. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety developed 19 types of products that reduced sodium by adjusting the mixing ratio of ingredients with high sodium content and reduced sugar content by reducing the use of sugar.
These products are characterized by making hamburgers using tofu with low sodium content or using alternative sugars such as allulose.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety places large labels on the outside of products with reduced sodium and sugar so that they can be easily recognized.
Reduction products like these allow you to make health-conscious choices. It also helps prevent adult diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
The city of Seoul is already implementing more specific measures. The city of Seoul recently launched the ‘Less Sweet 9988’ project to protect the health of children who are addicted to sweet temptations such as yogurt ice cream and Dubai chocolate.
In the ‘Mortgage Practice Citizen Campaign’ held at Cheonggye Plaza in Jung-gu, Seoul, hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the amount of sugar contained in the drinks and foods that citizens consume on a daily basis is being checked. This campaign, as part of the ‘Less Sweet 9988’ project, was designed to reduce sugar intake among Seoul citizens and help them form healthy eating habits. / News 1
Beyond reducing sugar intake, the city creates a low-sugar eating environment in schools and communities to help children form healthy eating habits, and operates various programs for citizen participation.
The sugar intake from processed foods among adolescents aged 12 to 18 in Seoul is 53.4g, which exceeds the national average (48.6g) and is higher than the WHO recommended standard of 50g. The rate of obesity (including overweight) among elementary, middle, and high school students is increasing from 22.8% in 2017 to 26.1% in 2022, making it urgent to form healthy eating habits.
Accordingly, with the Less Sweet 9988 project, the city aims to go beyond simply reducing sugar intake and help children naturally form healthy eating habits.
Moving away from the existing promotional and education methods, we plan to provide more practical support to help citizens practice a healthy lifestyle. We work with the Office of Education, the Medical Association, schools, parents, and consumer groups to create a low-sugar eating environment and support the formation of healthy eating habits among citizens through various promotions and education.
In order to create a healthy environment in the local community, focusing on schools, the city plans to strengthen inspections to ban the sale of high-calorie and low-nutrition food in school cafeterias and expand the ‘Sugar Reduction Practice School’ to 100 schools by 2025.
In addition, we monitor the nutritional content of high-sugar foods around schools and prepare guidelines for selecting high-sugar foods to help young people choose healthy foods.
In addition, inspections will be strengthened on the sale of high-calorie and low-nutrition foods at excellent sales establishments in children’s food safety protection zones, such as school canteens, and guidance activities will be carried out to create an environment to reduce sugar intake.
How does the “Less Sweet 9988” project in Seoul navigate the balance between promoting healthier eating habits and respecting individual food choices?
## Interview: The Sweet, Salty, Spicy Struggle: Tackling Unhealthy Eating Habits
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News! Today we’re diving deep into a pressing health issue affecting many countries: the rising consumption of unhealthy foods, specifically sweet, salty, and spicy combinations. We have two esteemed guests joining us today to shed light on this complex topic and discuss potential solutions.
Our first guest is **Dr. Lee Ji-Eun**, a renowned nutritionist specializing in dietary trends and public health.
Our second guest is **Mr. Park Seong-Jun**, a representative from the Seoul City government and a key figure in the “Less Sweet 9988” project.
Let’s begin!
**Section 1: The Trends and Concerns**
* **Dr. Lee, you’ve spent years studying dietary patterns. Can you shed light on the popularity of “sweet and salty” and “spicy then sweet” food combinations? What social and cultural factors might be contributing to this trend?**
* **Mr. Park, the article highlights alarming statistics about sodium and sugar intake in Korea. What are the most significant health risks associated with these high consumption levels, particularly for young people?**
**Section 2: Government Action and Public Health Strategies**
* **Mr. Park, the “Less Sweet 9988” project is a novel approach to addressing sugar consumption. Can you elaborate on its strategies and how they aim to go beyond traditional awareness campaigns? What specific challenges have you encountered in implementing this project?**
* **Dr. Lee, do you think government intervention is necessary to tackle unhealthy eating habits, or do you believe individual responsibility should play a larger role? What are the ethical considerations surrounding government-led interventions in dietary choices?**
**Section 3: Sustainable Solutions and Community Involvement**
* **Both of you have mentioned the importance of creating a “low-sugar” environment. How can schools and communities work together to encourage healthy choices without demonizing certain foods?**
* **Dr. Lee, what role can food manufacturers play in promoting healthier options while still catering to consumer preferences? Is there a middle ground between taste and public health?**
**Section 4: Looking Forward: Global Implications**
* **Mr. Park, what lessons learned from the “Less Sweet 9988” project could be applicable to other countries facing similar challenges?**
* **Dr. Lee, while this article focuses on Korea, the trend towards processed and sugary foods is a global concern. What steps can be taken on an international level to address this issue effectively?**
**Closing**:
Thank you both for sharing your valuable insights with us today. This conversation has shed light on the complexities of our relationship with food and the ambitious efforts underway to prioritize public health. We hope this discussion encourages our viewers to reflect on their own dietary choices and become active participants in shaping a healthier future.
Please stay tuned for more in-depth coverage on World Today News.
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