Dec 10, 2015 05:00 AM EST
Scottish Diet Goals, Not Doing So Well: 'No Progress' says Food Standards Scotland

The Scots have been trying to cut down on carbo loaded foods like cakes, biscuits and cola but they're failing at it.

The Food Standards Scotland recommends that Scots should increase their daily fibre intake up to 30g per day and should not collect their energy from more than 5% of sugar.

The previous target to have no more than 11% energy was not met. The current intake is up to 14.4%, as per the FSS.

There needs to be sugar control and it should happen soon. It has been reported that 50% of sugar consumed by the Scots comes from the most common sources. These discretionary foods include biscuits, cakes, colas, savoury snacks, sweets, confectionaries and sugar-sweetened beverages.

Because of this alarming non-progression, the FSS has published a report which details that 65% of the Scottish population are overweight or obese but 75% of this group believe they are healthy.

Half a million people in Scotland are at risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes and the Scottish daily menu itself is high in fats and calories, sugar and salt. And there are so few food items that have fibre, greens, vegetables and fruits.

Ross Finnie, FSS Chair said in a statement, "The Scottish diet is not improving and the problem of diet-related ill-health is now spanning the generations."

The problem is between the problem itself and the perception of Scots believing that their diet is healthy.

Finnie pleads that everyone should recognize that there is a diet problem and everybody needs to find a solution. On the other side, Public health minister Maureen Watt acknowledged that there is a problem with the Scottish diet but indicates there is a reduction in the purchase of sweetened beverages.

Watt continues to add that they are working to ensure that the Scots will have access to a healthy diet, reports say.

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