Mono- and disaccharides [1]
Why do we study monosaccharide and disaccharide intake?
- Monosaccharides and disaccharides are simple carbohydrates, also commonly called sugars. Monosaccharides are composed of a single sugar molecule: the most common examples are glucose, galactose, and fructose. Disaccharides are made up of two sugar molecules linked together, the most common examples being sucrose and lactose. Monosaccharides and disaccharides are called “fast sugars” because they release their energy quickly.
- Monosaccharides and disaccharides are naturally present in foods (e.g lactose in milk and fructose in fruits) or may be added to foods to sweeten them. It is preferable to consume the first category, while added sugars are not necessary for a healthy diet.
- The Superior Health Council [2] does not have specific advice on the exact proportion of energy intake that should come from monosaccharides and disaccharides. The World Health Organization [3] advises that the contribution of added sugars should not exceed 5% of the energy intake. However, this reference value could not be assessed based on the available data. The results presented below relate to total intakes of monosaccharides and disaccharides, including both those naturally occurring in foods and added sugars.
How do we study it?
- Habitual intake of monosaccharides and disaccharides was analysed using the SPADE® program. The detailed methodology can be found here [4].
- Habitual monosaccharide and disaccharide intake is expressed in percentage of total energy intake (En%). In this way, comparisons between groups of people with different energy requirements (e.g. between men and women, children and adults) can be done.
KEY RESULTS
19% of the energy intake comes from monosaccharides and disaccharides
The contribution of monosaccharides and disaccharides to energy intake is the highest in children (23 En%) and the lowest in adults aged 18-64 years (18 En%)
The contribution of monosaccharides and disaccharides to energy intake has decreased between 2014-2015 (21 En%) and 2022-2023 (19 En%)
The five main contributors to monosaccharide and disaccharide intake are sugar and confectionery, fruits, non-alcoholic drinks, dairy products and substitutes, and cakes and sweet biscuits
By age and sex
Mean monosaccharide and disaccharide intake (En%) in the population aged 3 years and older, by age and sex, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- En% = Energy percentage. This represents the proportion of daily energy derived from monosaccharides and disaccharides in the diet. It was calculated by multiplying total daily monosaccharide and disaccharide intake (g) by 4 kcal per gram and dividing by total daily energy intake (kcal).
- Older adults (65 years and above) do not include those residing in care facilities, hospitalised individuals, or those who would have required significant assistance during interviews (e.g., people with cognitive impairments).
- In Belgium, 19% of the energy intake comes from monosaccharides and disaccharides, in the population aged 3 years and older.
- This contribution is similar for men and women, overall and in the different age groups.
- The contribution of monosaccharides and disaccharides to energy intake is the highest in children (23 En%). This contribution is higher in adolescents (20 En%) than in adults. In adults, people aged 65 years and older have a higher proportion of their energy intake that comes from monosaccharides and disaccharides (19 En%) compared to people aged 18-64 years (18 En%).
By educational level
Mean monosaccharide and disaccharide intake (En%) in the population aged 3 years and older, by educational level, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- En% = Energy percentage. This represents the proportion of daily energy derived from monosaccharides and disaccharides in the diet. It was calculated by multiplying total daily monosaccharide and disaccharide intake (g) by 4 kcal per gram and dividing by total daily energy intake (kcal).
- The educational level is calculated at the household level by considering the highest diploma obtained by: (i) the respondents or their partner for adults (aged 18 years and above), or (ii) the father and mother (or carer, if applicable) for children and adolescents (aged 3 to 17 years). However, for simplicity, we refer to the educational level of individuals rather than the educational level of their households.
- The contribution of monosaccharides and disaccharides to energy intake is similar in the three educational groups.
By region
Mean monosaccharide and disaccharide intake (En%) in the population aged 3 years and older, by region, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- En% = Energy percentage. This represents the proportion of daily energy derived from monosaccharides and disaccharides in the diet. It was calculated by multiplying total daily monosaccharide and disaccharide intake (g) by 4 kcal per gram and dividing by total daily energy intake (kcal).
- Brussels is excluded from the regional comparison due to an insufficient number of participants, but is included in the national data for Belgium.
- The contribution of monosaccharides and disaccharides to energy intake is similar in Flanders and in Wallonia.
By year
Mean monosaccharide and disaccharide intake (En%) in the population aged 3 to 64 years, by year, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- En% = Energy percentage. This represents the proportion of daily energy derived from monosaccharides and disaccharides in the diet. It was calculated by multiplying total daily monosaccharide and disaccharide intake (g) by 4 kcal per gram and dividing by total daily energy intake (kcal).
- Adults aged 65 years and older are not included as they were not part of the target population of the 2014-2015 survey.
- The contribution of monosaccharides and disaccharides to energy intake in the population aged 3-64 years decreased between 2014-2015 (21 En%) and 2022-2023 (19 En%).
Contribution of foods to monosaccharide and disaccharide intake
Contribution of foods to monosaccharide and disaccharide intake, in the total population aged 3 years and older, Belgium, 2022-2023
- Crude = results weighted for season, age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
- The five main contributors to monosaccharide and disaccharide intake are sugar and confectionery (contributing 19% to the monosaccharide and disaccharide intake), fruits (contributing 17%), non-alcoholic beverages (contributing 14%), dairy products and substitutes (contributing 14%), and cakes and sweet biscuits (contributing 13%).
Please cite this page as: Sciensano. Macronutrients, Mono- and disaccharides, Food Consumption Survey 2022-2023, June 2025, Brussels, Belgium, https://www.sciensano.be/en/results-national-food-consumption-survey-2022-2023/carbohydrates-and-dietary-fibre/mono-and-disaccharides [1]