With the intention of offering children attractive sweets but without some of the associated inconveniences, researchers from the University Institute of Food Engineering for Development (IIAD) of the Polytechnic University of Valencia, have developed a new formulation.
It is aimed at obtaining 'healthy treats', specifically sugar clouds (marshmallows). The key lies in the substitution of the sugars commonly used in the manufacture of these products with two natural ingredients., a sugar (isomaltulose) and a soluble fiber (oligofructose). I would not dare to say that a treat is healthy, although according to the researchers, the use of isomaltulose will allow the elaboration of sweets that are not cariogenic, and neither will produce insulin spikes in the body.
On the other hand, oligofructose is a fiber that helps improve intestinal transit, the ingredient is sweet in taste, which makes it very pleasant on the palate.
As I have commented on other occasions, I would not like my children to eat sweets regularly, and not only because of refined sugars, but because they usually contain a large number of additives that we do not always know. These new 'clouds' formulated are a guarantee that children have no risk of caries, but I would save a lot from encouraging their consumption.
As our colleagues in Babies and More say, candy has very little nutritional value, and these are no exception. I think that nothing happens if children take them on isolated occasions, but it is much better to adopt the custom of eat five times a day, and not let them chop between hours, so they do not have the continuous 'need' to put something in their mouths.
Starting from healthy eating, they can be offered healthier than the healthiest candy, such as raisins or fruit cut into small pieces so that they don't have trouble eating it. In this case The intention is that they recognize the sweet taste of natural foods, so that they appreciate it and discover its virtues.
It is necessary to recognize the importance of diversifying the offer so that it adjusts to the particular needs: products for coeliacs, low-fat milk, etc., but let's not forget that the goodies are not necessary in the daily feeding.
