Nestlé scientists, in collaboration with experts from Tufts University in Boston, US, Nutrition Research Australia and the National University of Singapore, have developed and validated a new nutritional concept for carbohydrate quality in a porridge format.

The Grainsmart balance concept consists of a defined ratio between carbohydrates, fibers and sugars that aims to limit the number of free sugars and increase the number of fibers, which helps to shift to healthier products and balanced products diets. 

This ratio is 10: 1: 2 and indicates that for every 10 g of total carbohydrates, there should be a minimum of 1 g of fiber and no more than 2 g of free sugars when developing certain products such as cereals. 

Products that meet the 10:1:2 ratio can include the Grainsmart balance logo on pack. Nestlé has launched the first products based on Grainsmart balance, consisting of a porridge product range with Nutri-Score A rating in Europe.

A boost for carbs
The Grainsmart nutritional concept aims at providing better guidance to consumers on how to improve carbohydrate quality for a balanced diet. 

Carbohydrates are an essential part of a healthy diet, and it is recommended that carbohydrates provide between 45% to 65% of one’s daily calories. Slow digestible carbohydrates and non-digestible fibers, which have a beneficial effect on gut health and blood sugar control, are often lacking in diets that rely primarily on easily digestible sugars and starches.

For healthy and balanced nutrition, the type and quality of the carbohydrates are as important as the quantity, says Nestlé.“This nutritional concept aims at facilitating a choice of higher quality carbohydrate products, helping consumers to increase their consumption of fiber-rich grain such as whole grains, while at the same time reducing their intake of added sugars,” says Kim-Anne Lê Bur, a nutrition expert from Nestlé Research.

“With Grainsmart balance, both goals are met while still ensuring a tasty product.”

“We want to make sure consumers can trust products bearing the Grainsmart balance logo as healthy options for themselves and their family because of their composition, which has been co-developed and validated by internationally recognized nutrition experts,” adds Mayank Trivedi, head of Nestlé Strategic Business Unit Dairy.

Market expansion
The Grainsmart balance concept is being applied to the product development for Nestlé’s cereal portfolio.

Nesvita and Nestum Super multiportion healthy porridges and the Nesquik All Natural Porridge for children with the Grainsmart balance recipe have been launched in several European countries, and additional markets will be reached in 2022.

Last month, Nestlé developed a sorghum-based porridge that upcycles a Milo side stream to valorize raw materials and avoid nutrient loss fully. The sorghum is blended with cereals such as wheat and maize. The porridge is currently being tested with consumers in Côte d’Ivoire under the Golden Morn brand, ahead of a regional launch in 2022.