Sugar is not something I give my children often. However, I do believe and our nutritionists agree that stopping little ones from having sugar completely can have more of a negative than positive effect.
Despite our best intentions when it comes to sugar, we are not always as in control as we like.
Outside Influences
Take my mother for example, she has a really hard time accepting that giving Logan and Kaia snacks and “treats” whenever she has them (twice a week) is not her ‘right’ as their Granny. Her favourite go to will be a dried fruit packet snack or a chocolate brioche bun. I have absolutely no issues with them having these. However, as one of their main childcare providers, she should really understand that these type of snacks/treats twice a day over two days is not contributing to a healthy balanced diet and is actually detrimental to their health. They have other “treats” at nursery, play groups and I’m partial to a donut or two and like to share my joy of devouring one now and again with my littles. If you add these up over a week, that can be more than I’d care to admit in sugar. Now, this isn’t every week of course, but it can happen and it worries me. BUT like I’ve said before and I’ll say it again, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the odd “treat”, but it should be not become routine or expected.
Free Sugars
When trying to explain to someone like my mother that the amount of sugar found in processed fruit snacks foods can sometimes contain their total recommended allowance. It almost falls on death ears, she has fallen for the brightly coloured packets with the dreaded “No Added Sugar” plastered across the front. I often tell her I’d much rather them eat dried fruit, but she doesn’t hear me (Grandparents, am I right?)
Dried fruit itself isn’t a great source of nutrients for little one’s, but it doesn’t contain the same levels of Free Sugars as a processed dried fruit snack. Some of the fruit snacks marketed for children as a healthy, contribution to their 5-a-day is very misleading. Many are made from fruit juices and purees, resulting in the Free Sugar content being as high as you would find in sweets.
What are Free Sugars?
Why are they bad?
Exceeding the recommended amount of 5% of total energy (calorie) consumed by an adult or a child over 2yrs old can lead to bad oral health, obesity and diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
The definition of Free Sugars mentions “added sugars”, this is very confusing as many of the processed fruit snacks and our favourite puree pouches will clearly state “No Added Sugar”. This to me and most parents says that these are low in sugar and perfectly fine to give my child. Wrong. First Steps Nutrition has completed some very interesting research into the sugar content of snacks and puree pouches.
They’ve found upon deeper analysis of the ingredients and amounts used, the actual sugar content once Free Sugars have been calculated is far higher than the amount declared on the packet. In one case there was +337% more sugar. Over 300% more than what you think you are giving your child!!!
We’re aware of the terrifying reports on childhood obesity and the celebrities, NHS and government plans to combat it. However, without these well known brands being taken to task for their blatant mislabelling and creative marketing, parents are not able to safely reach for a convenient option. It’s not uncommon for families to heavily rely on the prepacked shelf stable options found in the supermarket and unfortunately unbeknown to them they are feeding their little one’s nothing but sugar cleverly disguised as a healthy, organic snack/meal that contributes to their 5-a-day. This is not ok and it is something that needs to be addressed immediately. Fortunately steps are being taken, but I fear it’s all going to take way too long.