Newborns and infants are unaware of the taste of sugar, but as parents, we attempt to introduce it to our children in the hopes of increasing their food intake. Not only does sugar taste good, but once it becomes a regular part of their diet, it actually leads to an addiction that makes them crave more of it. Unlike sugars that naturally occur in fruits, dairy products, vegetables, and other grains we are talking about the refined sugar and artificial sweeteners that are added to foods which our children are consuming and harming their health. Let’s understand why we should try to eliminate or limit sugar in the diets of our young children.

Natural Sugar Vs Added Sugar

Sugar, in all its forms, is a simple carbohydrate that the body breaks down into glucose to be used as fuel. However, which type of sugar your children eats more will have an impact on their body and general health, like:

• Natural sugar: Found in fruits and other foods in their natural state.
  
  
• Added sugar: They are added during the manufacturing of food to make them easier to package or incorporate into meals and drinks.

According to the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans:

 

• Children who are two years of age or older should consume no more than 10% of the added sugar of their daily caloric intake. This implies that no more than 200 calories from added sugars should be consumed within a 2,000 calorie diet.
• Children younger than 2 years of age should not be given any foods or beverages with added sugars.

 

Harmful Effects of Sugar on Babies and Toddlers

Let’s understand the effects of high sugar intake on children:

1)      Results in Reduced Immunity

You must be aware that trillions of good bacteria make up the body's microbiome, which aids in vitamin production, food digestion, and defense against pathogens and illness. However, too much sugar consumption in children can upset the delicate balance between good and bad bacteria, killing the beneficial ones that defend our bodies and weakening the immune system in the process.

2)      Leads to Increased Sugar Related Allergies

In the past few years, there has been a noticeable increase in children's allergies, colds, and coughs. Overindulgence in sugar-filled beverages, sweets, bakery, and chocolates can cause common allergies or symptoms similar to colds. Although they may appear to be an infection, eating too much sugar is the main cause of them.

3)      Causes Childhood Obesity
It is a known fact that it's common knowledge that consuming sugar-filled foods dramatically increases blood sugar levels.

Occasional consumption of sweet foods is unlikely to be harmful to health, but consuming excessive amounts of added sugar on a daily basis can result in raised blood sugar levels. Hyperglycemia, or persistently high blood sugar, can have major negative effects on your body, including weight gain.

Recent studies have identified a strong correlation between childhood obesity disorders and high sugar consumption. Sugar has an impact on the brain and hormones. Because of the addiction it creates, children eventually gain weight as a result of losing control over how much food they eat.

4)      Suppresses appetite for healthy food

Children who are addicted to sugar will want more of the same kind of food. The natural flavor of actual fruits, veggies, and the quality of our homemade cuisine truly pale in contrast to the taste of sugar. As a result, children tend to eat more junk food, which has the lowest nutritional value required for body growth.

 

5)      Risk of developing early childhood diabetes

One important hormone that manages sugar levels in our body is insulin. Consuming extra sugar causes the body to burn glucose first instead of fat and raises insulin levels in return. Not only is it harmful to have excessive blood glucose levels all the time, but the pancreas is burdened with frequent high insulin secretion. Even worse, the body begins to become resistant to insulin, to the point that increasing amounts are still insufficient to support proper bodily function. Apart from insulin resistance or low insulin levels, high sugar intake causes diabetes due to adverse effects on the liver and a higher risk of obesity.

6)      Increases risk of dental cavity

Dental caries is a cavity or holes that are created in teeth as a result of acid from the mouth attacking the tooth's enamel and dentine by the bacteria “Streptococcus mutans," which mostly feed on sugar and other starchy carbohydrates in the mouth. Additionally, eating little sugary snacks every two to three hours of the day has a greater impact on dental health than does the amount of sugar consumed.
Pacifiers dipped in sugar or honey can also lead to tooth decay since the sugar or honey can provide food for the bacteria’s acid attacks.

 

Tips for Parents for Eliminating or Limiting the Sugar Consumption of Babies and Young Children

Let’s take a look at a few ways to steadily reduce your kids’ sugar intake:

• Check the food label for the amount of added sugar on the foods and drinks before you buy them.
  
  
• Swap out sugary drinks (soda and bottled fruit juice) and switch to healthier options, like water or milk.
  
  
• Go fresh and limit processed, pre-packed food and drinks.
  
  
• Flavor your food using herbs, spices, and fresh fruit zests rather than using sauces or dips.
  
  
• Cook and eat more often at home so that you can control your ingredients.
  
  

Hence, the food the children eat, should be rich in nutrients to guarantee good nourishment. Young children have less space for nutrient-dense foods if they overindulge in high-calorie, sugar-filled foods and beverages. As parents, we should remember that the youngsters take in and mimic the actions of those around them. So, if we show an inclination towards healthy eating choices, they will follow our suit. But, yes! You can occasionally enjoy ice cream cones as an occasional treat with your kids. Get a regular dental checkup for your kids to diagnose cavities and oral health problems. For further information on a child’s nutrition or health, it is advisable to visit your pediatrician.

If you have any questions related to nutrition and health of your child, you can check with our dietician and pediatrician at Ask a doctor, 24x7.