Carbohydrates and Health

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Intrinsic and milk sugars intakes and dietary sources
3.17 Mean intakes of intrinsic and milk sugars were 30-43g/day across the age groups,
providing 6-10% of total dietary energy intake in adults and children aged 4 years
upwards and 13% in children aged 1½-3 years. The main sources of intrinsic and milk
sugars were milk and fruit (Annex 8).
3.18 In children aged 4-18 months, mean intakes of intrinsic and milk sugars were 34%
of energy intake in 4-6 month olds, and 18% in 12-18 month olds. Infant formula
was the largest contributor to intake of intrinsic and milk sugars intake for children
aged 4-11 months. The second largest contributors were breast milk for those aged
4-6 months and 7-9 months and fruit for those aged 10-11 months. For the 12-18
month age group, the largest contributor was milk and milk products followed by
fruit.
Starch intakes and dietary sources
3.19 Mean starch intakes were 110-135g/day in adults and children over 4 years, and
76g/day in younger children aged 1½-3 years. This represented 25-29% of total
dietary energy (Annex 8).
3.20 White bread was the top contributor to starch intake in all age groups, providing
around a fifth of intake in adults and children aged 4 years and over, and 16% in
children aged 1½-3 years. Chips, fried and roast potatoes and potato products
was the second largest contributor in children from 4 years and adults aged 19-64
years. Boiled, mashed and baked potatoes was the second largest contributor in
older adults and high fibre breakfast cereals was the second largest contributor in
children aged 1½-3 years. Pasta and pasta-based dishes provided 6-8% of starch
intake in children and adults aged 19-64 years (Annex 8).
3.21 In children aged 4-18 months, mean starch intakes were 22g/day in the youngest
group (11% of energy), increasing to 60g/day in the 12-18 month group (23% of
energy). For children aged 4-6 months, the main contributor to starch intake was
commercial infant foods. For children aged 7-9 months, the main contributors
were commercial infant foods and cereals and cereal products. For children aged
10-11 months and 12-18 months, the main source of starch was cereals and cereal
products.
Intrinsic and milk sugars and starch intakes
3.22 The DRV for intrinsic and milk sugars and starch combined is 37% of total dietary
energy (including energy from alcohol) as a population average. The mean intakes
for intrinsic and milk sugars and starch were 34-35% of total dietary energy in adults
and children aged 11 years and over and 37-39% in younger children (Annex 8).
Non-starch polysaccharides intakes and dietary sources
3.23 In adults, mean intakes of non-starch polysaccharides were 14g/day, well below
the population average DRV for adults of 18g/day, but above the individual
minimum of 12g/day. Intakes at the 97.5 th percentile were 25-26g/day. Mean intakes
for children were lower at 11-12g/day (8g/day in children under 4 years) (Annex 8).