Toddlers on Sugar

• Good nutrition during the first 2 years is the start of healthy growth and development.
• Early good nutrition practices can help children develop healthy eating as adults.
• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports US toddlers are eating too much added sugar.

The Problem

Added sugar consumption adds calories without other nutrients.  Too much sugar is directly related to:

• Obesity
• Cavities
• Dietary habits that could lead to poor nutritional choices later in life

Results of a recent study found

• 6- to 11-month-olds, 61% of the sugar in their diet was added sugar
• 1 and 2 years old 99% of the sugar those children consumed was added
• Based on asking parents of 800 children aged 6 to 23 months about their child’s “added sugar” consumption in a 24-hour period

Recommendations

• The American Heart Association already recommends that children under age of 2 not be given food with added sugars such as candy, cakes, cookies, soda, fruit drinks, flavored milks, sugar sweetened beverages and ice cream.
• Use snack times as a way offer fresh vegetables and fruits (instead of processed foods) which contain sugars and also contain, water, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
• Be careful with foods like flavored yogurt, dried fruit, condiments and granola bars, which can have lots of added sugars.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children should not drink 100% juice before they are 12 months old.
• For children older than 12 months pediatricians recommend
  • If you give juice use 100% fruit juice only
  • Limit juice intake to 4 ounces or less of 100% juice a day
  • Do not provide drinks like juice drinks with added sweeteners.
  • Fruits are healthier options for your child than fruit juices
• Keep a range of healthy foods handy at home.
• Also avoid foods high in salt