Natural sugar vs. added sugar in baby’s diet
5/26/2023
Written by Cinthia Scott, RD, CLC, Registered Dietitian and Certified Lactation Counselor
As parents, we all want what’s best for our children, and one of the most important things we can do is to establish a strong nutritional foundation for them from the very beginning. One aspect of this is limiting their consumption of added sugars. Today, we’ll explore why this is important, what the current recommendations are, and how to realistically apply this information in a healthy way.
Why Added Sugars are a Concern for Infants and Toddlers
During the first few years of life, a child’s taste preferences develop, and consuming too many added sugars can hinder this process. Additionally, research has shown that excessive sugar consumption in childhood is linked to various health issues, including dental caries, obesity, cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Furthermore, consuming added sugars in the first two years of life can replace energy from nutrient-dense foods, which increases the risk of nutrient inadequacies that can impact growth and development.
Current Recommendations for Added Sugar
To help mitigate these risks, the American Heart Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the World Health Organization recommend that children over the age of two consume less than 10% of their total energy intake from added sugars, with less than 5% being even more desirable. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans take a stricter approach, recommending that children under two consume zero grams of added sugar daily.
The Reality of Added Sugar Consumption in Infants and Toddlers
Despite these recommendations, the reality is that many children consume more added sugars than is recommended. A study conducted from 2011 to 2016 found that 84.4% of infants and toddlers consumed added sugars on a given day. This highlights the need for parents and caregivers to be vigilant about their child’s sugar intake and make an effort to reduce it.
Tips For Managing Sweets in Your Child's Diet
For toddlers under the age of two, avoid adding sugars to their regular diet. Instead, use naturally occurring sugars like fruit or in cooking or baking using banana or unsweetened applesauce. This can help your child develop a preference for more nutritious food.
Model healthy eating habits for your child by consuming a variety of nutritious foods. If purchasing baby food products, choose brands/products that contain 0g added sugar and aim to cook whole foods whenever possible.
Allow added sugar in moderation for special occasions like smash cakes, but aim for 90% nutrient-dense food intake and 10% less nutrient-dense foods.
For children over the age of two, avoid placing special emphasis on foods containing added sugars. Don’t call them “bad” or “less healthy,” and avoid using them as a reward for good behavior. Instead, call a cupcake a cupcake and allow in moderation.
Allow your child to choose which added sugar foods they receive so they are exercising their control and independence. You can decide when these foods are available in the house and when they are served. Don’t stress if your child overindulges at a birthday party; continue to offer them nutritious foods as the majority of their diet.
Use the approach of “the parent provides, the child decides,” in which the parent provides healthy food options, and the child chooses which foods to eat and how much.
Avoid practices that lead to overeating in toddlers, such as feeding to soothe or get children to sleep, providing excessive portions, pushing children to "clean their plates," punishing them with food, force-feeding, and allowing frequent snacks or grazing.
Differentiate between natural and added sugars. Natural sugars occur naturally in foods like fruit, vegetables, grains, and dairy, and do not need to be restricted. Added sugars, however, should be limited as they can lead to health risks when consumed in excess.
Establishing a healthy dietary pattern for babies toddlers is an important step in laying a strong nutritional foundation for their future health. By following the current recommendations for added sugar intake, choosing whole foods whenever possible, and modeling healthy eating habits, parents and caregivers can help their children develop a taste for nutritious foods and avoid the health risks associated with excessive sugar consumption.
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