Nutritionist warned about the risks of regular consumption of nut and chocolate paste

Nutty chocolate paste remains one of the most popular sugary breakfast foods, but it can pose a health threat. On February 5, Mariana Jutova, a nutritionist at JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg clinic), told Izvestia about this.

According to the expert, a standard serving of pasta (2 tablespoons) contains about 200 calories, 12 grams of fat and about 21 grams of sugar. This almost completely covers the daily limit of added sugar recommended by the World Health Organization. With regular excess of the norm, the risk of weight gain, lipid metabolism disorders, type 2 diabetes and increased blood pressure increases.

Jutova noted that 100 g of the product contains about 539-540 kcal, up to 31 g of fat and more than 56 g of sugar. Canadian doctor Yoni Friedhoff previously estimated that two tablespoons of pasta contain about 5.5 tsp of sugar, a little palm oil, cocoa and the equivalent of just a few nuts, after which he called the product "a spreadable candy, not a healthy breakfast."

The doctor paid special attention to the fat composition. The main component of the paste is palm oil, rich in saturated fatty acids, the excess of which is associated with an increase in the level of "bad" cholesterol and cardiovascular risks.

"With already high cholesterol or risk factors, such pasta should remain a rare treat, and not a daily habit," the nutritionist emphasized.

For people with diabetes and carbohydrate metabolism disorders, the product presents a double load of sugar and fats. Even a small portion can cause a noticeable spike in glucose and an insulin response. For children, regular consumption can lead to extra calories and an increased risk of tooth decay, especially if pasta is spread on white bread and combined with sugary drinks.

However, it is not necessary to completely exclude the product from the diet. According to Jutova, nutty chocolate paste can fit into the diet as a rare dessert.

"It's better to limit a serving to one tablespoon several times a week and combine it with whole-grain bread or fruit. The main thing is not to turn pasta into the basis of breakfast," the expert concluded.

On January 26, Anna Oderiy, an endocrinologist at the SM Clinic, spoke about the causes of "chocolate addiction" in winter. One of the key factors is the lack of light. Reducing daylight hours affects the production of serotonin and melatonin, which leads to increased fatigue, decreased mood, and the search for quick sources of pleasure.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.