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Britain’s most loved pancake toppings: Experts issue warning over shocking sugar contents

• Health and fitness experts reveal the unhealthiest pancake toppings and healthier alternatives to try this year
• Your Pancake Day meal could blow your entire daily recommended sugar intake in just a few mouthfuls

Pancake Day is coming up on the 13th of February. For health and fitness fanatics, this can be a true test of your dedication, as it’s hard to resist the sugary temptation of treats and toppings.

However, this may help you steer clear of the sugar this year as research by fitness experts at Bulk.com has analysed all the most popular toppings from each of the biggest supermarkets to show which are the unhealthiest. They have also provided alternatives to help you make healthier choices this pancake day!

The recommended intake indicated by the NHS for adults is 30 grams of sugar per day; for 7 – 10-year-olds, it is 24 grams and for 4 – 6-year-olds, it is 19 grams. This means that some of these toppings have over 50% of the daily recommended allowance in just one tablespoon!

As well as being a treat for pancake day many of these toppings are daily staples for many adults and children meaning that many people are eating way too much sugar every single day. This inflated intake of sugar in the long term can lead to many issues such as, higher blood pressure, inflammation, weight gain, tooth decay, diabetes, and fatty liver disease. As well as all of these, children may find it harder to regulate their mood and have issues with attention as well.

It’s unrealistic to cut sugar out completely, but it’s important to be aware of what you’re eating and try and make healthier choices and cut down where you can.

Unhealthiest Toppings

It’s clear from the data that Honey and Syrup contain the most sugar across the board, with Tesco’s Honey containing the most sugar with 12.4 grams of sugar per tablespoon. This is 41% of an adult’s daily allowance, 52% of a 7 – 10-year-old’s allowance and 65% of a 4 – 6-year-old’s daily allowance!

ASDA Honey (12.3 g) and Rowse Honey (12.1 g) are not fat behind, while Waitrose and Morrisons sell the honey with the least sugar with 11.5 grams, although this is still very high.

Morrisons Maple Syrup has the highest sugar contents with 13.1 grams per tablespoon; this is 44% of an adult’s daily allowance and 69% of a 4 – 6-year-old’s allowance. Aldi and Lidl are both tied with 12 grams of sugar, while household name Lyles syrup contains 11.6 grams of sugar per tablespoon. Tesco, Waitrose and ASDA syrup all contain 9.2 grams which makes these only very slightly healthier options.

Nutella is a national favourite spread. However, it contains the most sugar out of any chocolate spread, 8.4 grams per tablespoon, which averages 36% of the daily allowance across all age groups. ASDA have the chocolate spread with the least sugar (6.1g) and its also the cheapest at 29p per 100g.

Healthier Alternatives

The obvious alternatives include fruit. Traditionally, a popular topping is Banana, as well as various berries. These are great and tasty pancake toppings that are also full of nutrients and give you the sweet sensation of sugar but from natural sources.

However, if you still miss the taste of chocolate or syrup there are some great alternatives you can try.

Topping

Sugar per 15

Biscoff Spread

5.5

Jim Jams

1.3

Skinny Chocaholic

0.7

Skinny Syrup

0

My Vegan Syrup

0

Bulk Syrup

0

The Biscoff spread has the highest sugar content of all, with 5.5 grams of sugar. However, this is still less than any of the other spreads. ASDA’s own brand version of this has even less, with only 4.7 grams.

Jim Jams and The Skinny Company chocolate spreads contain very low amounts of sugar as well making them great alternatives to Nutella. 1 tablespoon of these spreads is only 3% of your daily allowance making it a much better choice.

There are also a plethora of Low-calorie and low-sugar syrups on that market; listed, we have the versions created by The Skinny Company, Bulk and MyProtein. All of which are great alternatives containing 0 grams of sugar but still have a fantastic flavour.

A spokesperson from Bulk.com commented: “Reducing sugar intake is not just a step towards a healthier lifestyle; it’s a commitment to improved energy, mental clarity, and overall well-being. Choosing to cut down on sugar is an investment in your long-term health, fostering a harmonious balance for a more vibrant and fulfilling life.

Although just because you’re choosing to cut down on sugar doesn’t mean you need to miss out on great-tasting treats, there are many alternatives out there that can help you stick to your goals while still enjoying fantastic, flavourful foods.”

My protein pancakes are a huge hit with us sporty people:

www.donnagroves.com.au/recipes/protein-pancakes

Note the Shine seed mix is four equal parts – LSA, Ground Flax seeds, Black Cia Seeds and Sunflower seeds. Ground in a food processor to a powder form.

Melinda Shelley
123read2me.org.au
As Pancake Tuesday approaches, we’re excited to delve into some delightful books that celebrate this beloved tradition, inspiring parents and children to come together in the kitchen and beyond. ‘Pancakes, Pancakes!’ by Eric Carle, ‘If You Give a Pig a Pancake’ by Laura Numeroff, and ‘Pancakes for Breakfast’ by Tomie dePaola stand out as engaging tales that ignite the imagination and bring families closer through the art of pancake making. Just as sport plays a crucial role in the health and well-being of a family unit, so does the shared experience of reading stories together. These books offer more than just recipes; they weave in important life lessons that resonate with both success and failure, much like the experiences on and off the sporting field. In this way, families can explore values such as teamwork, perseverance, and creativity, all while enjoying the simple pleasure of pancakes. We encourage our readers, who cherish sports and embrace the latest trends, to include these stories in their Pancake Tuesday celebrations. It’s a wonderful opportunity to bond, learn, and create lasting memories. Don’t forget to share your pancake adventures and storytime moments with us and your fellow readers, as we all make this Pancake Tuesday a day full of joy, learning, and delicious treats!”

For Pancake Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday, the young and old alike will love my Nutella Pancake Recipe. Here is the link to the recipe https://www.marcellinaincucina.com/nutella-stuffed-pancakes/. Another incredible idea is my Mini Pancakes. The link for that recipe is here www.marcellinaincucina.com/quick-easy-pancakes/
If you’re looking for fluffy, tender pancakes that satisfy, these two recipes are outstanding and easy to prepare with step by step instructions.

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery – Blueberry Buttermilk Bliss: Indulge in a burst of flavor with Perkins’ mouthwatering Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes. These pancakes are a delightful combination of fluffy buttermilk goodness and the sweet, juicy taste of blueberries. It’s the perfect blend of classic and fruity, making it an ideal treat for your socially active readers who appreciate trendy and delicious delights.

Huddle House – Sweet Cake Platters Extravaganza: Huddle House is taking Pancake Tuesday to a whole new level with their Sweet Cake Platters! Your readers can enjoy a variety of sweet cakes paired with savory sausage or crispy bacon. From the irresistible Oreo® Cookie Crunch Sweet Cakes to the luscious Strawberries & Cream Sweet Cakes and the classic Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Sweet Cakes, there’s a delightful option for every palate. These platters are not only a treat for the taste buds but also a visual delight that your socially connected audience will want to share across their platforms.

Pancake-making Causes More Internal Particulate Emissions Than Woodburning

Lovers of pancakes, who are also homeowners worried about air quality in their homes, should beware Shrove Tuesday. This follows the complete flipping of concerns about woodburners causing indoor pollution, following a recent report by Imperial College London’s Environmental Research Group.

The research survey found cooking pancakes to have far worse impacts on indoor quality than any generated by woodburning generated and also found some woodburning stoves actually improve indoor air quality.

Some have suggested that woodburners are creating indoor emissions that are dangerous to the health of their owners or their neighbours in adjoining properties. The increase in emissions when legal, ready to burn or seasoned wood was lit, however, were shown to be low. In some cases, there was hardly any detectable increase.

Instead, researchers discovered that increases in PM 2.5 particles indoors actually shot up due to other factors, with cooking events and cigarette smoking being the main culprits.

One of the worst of the PM 2.5 emissions spike incidents in their study occurred when a hob was being used for making pancakes. Whilst the pancakes were cooking, an increase of 168µg m-3 occurred. In contrast, when a fire was lit, the increase was from just 6 to 17 µgm-3.

In another incident, PM 2.5 increased from 3 µg m¬-3 to 223 µg m¬-3 just 20 minutes after the toaster and grill were switched on.

Throughout the study, when foods were being fried, grilled or cooked in an oven, the impacts on indoor PM 2.5 particles were notable, particularly when no extractor was used.

Furthermore, the researchers discovered that the latest models of woodburners – Clear Skies 5 stoves – actually improve air quality within a home, rather than damaging it.

For those without a Clear Skies 5 stove, the study results suggest that homeowners can take key actions to reduce the amount of indoor air pollution to very low levels. The advice of wood fuel specialist, Logs Direct, is to follow these guidelines.

Logs Direct’s Tips

Firstly, homeowners should abide by the law and only burn seasoned wood (if bought in volume) or Ready to Burn certified wood, if bought in small quantities. Unseasoned wood was used in incidents where a spike in PM 2.5 was detected indoors.

Secondly, they should not burn solid fuel and should burn seasoned or Ready to Burn wood in preference to smokeless fuels, which the study said offer no advantage over the right wood.

Thirdly, they should not use firelighters that contain kerosene, which were thought to cause a spike in PM 2.5. Instead, they should look for an option such as Logs Direct’s Warma T-lite Natural Firelighter, made from recycled waste wood, recycled candle wax and plastic-free paper, or its Wood Wool Eco-firelighter, with the latter being formed from wood shavings dipped in natural wax.

Fourthly, they should opt for a woodburning stove, rather than burning wood on an open fire. In reality, London, where the study was conducted, bucks the trend in this regard. Whilst, in most of the UK, woodburning takes place in a stove that helps control emissions, a whopping 70% of woodburning in London is still done on traditional open fires. On such a fire, wood combustion is incomplete, which causes more emissions than would be the case if wood were burnt in a modern stove. Making a simple switch to the way in which wood is used to heat a home, would be advantageous for emissions reductions, putting London more on the same footing as the rest of the UK.

Finally, homeowners should learn how to light and manage their wood correctly. “Participant technique” in lighting or adding wood to a fire was shown to be an influencing factor in the amount of PM 2.5 that emerged during a woodburning event or evening.

If these measures are taken, even the currently low level of PM 2.5 that emerges indoors when lighting or refuelling a woodburning stove or open fire would be reduced further. This would make it far less impactful than cooking smoking, burning the toast, using hairspray, or burning a candle or incense stick, according to Charnwood, whose C-Five stove was tested as part of the Imperial College study.[i]

Logs Direct’s sales director, Stephen Talbot, says: “We have long known that the scaremongering about the impacts of woodburning stoves on indoor air quality could not be validated. It is, therefore, refreshing to see that Imperial College’s research study could find no evidence to suggest that woodburning stoves damage indoor air quality and that other daily chores cause far greater impacts.

“To also have the study prove that Clear Skies 5 stoves actually improve indoor air quality is even more of a plus point for the woodburning community.

“London is always the focus for woodburning concerns but the simple fact is that, if homeowners would move from an open fire to a stove, the impacts, particularly outdoors, could be reduced. We have to be somewhat cautious when saying by what percentage this would be, however, as the majority of external PM 2.5 pollution from woodburning is not caused by domestic burning anyway, but by burning wood on bonfires and other outdoor fire sources. Much of this is unseasoned or chemically treated wood, like MDF. These should not be burnt at all.”

The motto, this Shrove Tuesday, is to perhaps enjoy the pancakes as a one-off but then make a Lent resolution to give up suggesting that woodburners damage internal air quality. The opposite can, in fact, be the case.

With Pancake Tuesday around the corner, it’s the perfect time to indulge in some deliciously creative pancake recipes.

From …. Jonnathan from Pearl Lemon Catering, and I’d like to share a mouth-watering Double Chocolate Chip Pancake recipe that’s sure to be a hit in your Pancake Tuesday guide.

**Double Chocolate Chip Pancake Recipe**

*Ingredients:*
– 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/4 cup cocoa powder
– 3 tbsp granulated sugar
– 1 tbsp baking powder
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 1 1/4 cups milk
– 1 large egg
– 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
– 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
– 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
– Extra butter, for the pan
– Maple syrup and whipped cream for serving

*Instructions:*

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, beat the egg with the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract.

3. Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined. The batter should be slightly lumpy. Gently fold in the chocolate chips.

4. Cook the Pancakes: Heat a non-stick pan or griddle over medium heat and brush with a bit of butter. Pour 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook until the other side is golden brown.

5. Serve Warm: Serve the pancakes warm with maple syrup and a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.

This Double Chocolate Chip Pancake recipe is perfect for those looking to celebrate Pancake Tuesday with something special. The combination of rich cocoa and melting chocolate chips makes each bite a delightful experience.

We at Pearl Lemon Catering have found that recipes like this not only cater to the sweet tooth but also bring a twist to traditional pancake recipes, making them perfect for festive occasions.

Pearl Lemon Catering

Recipe – Produce by The Man Shake and Havas Red
Man Shake Pancakes
Serves 2

Ingredients
1 Banana, Peeled
2 eggs
1 scoop (30g) Chocolate Man Shake
1/3 cup wholemeal self-raising flour
1/3 cup full cream milk
1/3 cup Plain Greek yogurt
Method
Put the banana and eggs in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Add the protein powder, flour, and milk. Blitz again until well combined.
Heat a nonstick frying pan over medium-low heat and spray with cooking oil. Drop 1/3 cup of the mixture into the pan and spread to an even thickness.
Cook for a couple of minutes, or until bubbles start to appear on the surface. Flip the pancake and cook for another minute or so, or until the underside is golden.
Transfer to a plate and repeat to make 4 pancakes, spraying the pan with a little more oil in between.
Serve pancakes with the yoghurt and top with fruit if you like (i prefer blueberries)
Nutritional
20.2g Protein
30.1g Carbs
8.4g Sugar
11g Fat