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European Day of Healthy Food: Poland's growing sugar problem

08.11.2024 14:22
November 8th is European Day of Healthy Food and Cooking. While many Polish food products are known for their excellent quality, Poland has long been at the top of the list for excessive sugar consumption.
Bakeries preparing traditional Polish sweets  paczki (doughnuts) for Fat Thursday (in February) in Rzeszów, southern Poland, and decorating Saint Martins croissants for Saint Martins Day (November 11) in Poznań, western Poland.
Bakeries preparing traditional Polish sweets – paczki (doughnuts) for Fat Thursday (in February) in Rzeszów, southern Poland, and decorating Saint Martin's croissants for Saint Martin's Day (November 11) in Poznań, western Poland. PAP/Darek Delmanowicz/Jakub Kaczmarczyk

Polish bread, pierogi, white cheese, smoked oscypek cheese, and traditional sausages are unmatched worldwide — something that the Polish diaspora often emphasizes, as they struggle to find similar substitutes abroad.

Unfortunately, in recent years, the fast pace of life has led Poles to rely more on highly processed, ready-made foods, many of which contain excessive amounts of sugar.

As a result, Polish children have consistently ranked among the fattest young people in Europe, and the issue of obesity is becoming as pressing in Polish society as the fight against alcoholism among adults.

From traditional foods to processed snacks: the rise in sugar consumption in Poland

As reported by Radio Poland in August, Polish citizens consume over 40 kg of sugar annually. According to statistics shared on Radio Poland’s Facebook page, Poland ranks among the top European countries for sugar consumption.

The average Pole consumes 45.7 kg of sugar per year, with recent data from the Polish Chief Sanitary Inspectorate confirming this rise — an increase of 12 kg in just a few years. Only Belgium consumes more sugar, with an average of 48.3 kg per person annually.

➡️ Not a table Poland wants to be top of - sugar consumption …

Opublikowany przez Radio Poland Czwartek, 22 sierpnia 2024

This high sugar consumption in Poland is driven not only by sweets but also by the growing intake of highly processed foods, where sugar content is often hidden. Many Poles have shifted from home-cooked meals to convenient, ready-made options that are high in sugar.

Poland's sugar addiction: a growing concern for public health

Excessive sugar intake leads to serious health issues like obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and liver problems.

Combined with low physical activity — especially after the pandemic and the rise of remote work — many Poles face an increased risk of metabolic disorders, cognitive issues, and poor mental health.

The lack of exercise and high sugar intake contribute to both physical and mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression.

SUGAR FACE Sugar not only affects your weight but your skin as well. Sugar accelerates glycation, the process in...

Opublikowany przez Becky Gosling, Healthy Living Inside and Out. Poniedziałek, 16 września 2019

European Day of Healthy Food and Cooking, celebrated on November 8th, was established in 2007 by a chefs' union to encourage healthy eating habits and the importance of regular meals, especially for children.

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