6 things you NEED to know about Sugar
We’re all having too much sugar. Excess sugar can cause the build up of harmful fat and tooth decay. Fat around vital organs can cause weight gain and serious diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. Here are some facts and advice to help you give your children the correct amount of sugar:
1. Children ages 4-6 should consume a maximum of 19 grams of sugar per day.
That is less than the amount of sugar in most children’s fruit juices!!!
2. Children ages 7-10 should consume a maximum of 24g of sugar/day.
Less than a can of Coke, which contains a huge 39g of sugar!
3. Artificial juices are very high in sugar. The best thing for your child to drink is water, milk and fresh fruit juice.
A relatively weak glass of squash or a fruity drink which doesn’t have too much sugar in it is okay as an occasional treat.
4. Children ages 11+ should consume a maximum 30 grams of sugar/day
This is the equivalent of an average chocolate bar.
5. Start early.
Eating habits begin early. Therefore giving your child the appropriate amount of sugar from an early age will set them on the right path.
6. Excess sugar can lead to major health problems.
These include the following:
- Coronary heart disease or heart attacks.
- High cholesterol and blood pressure.
- Stroke
- Obesity
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Increased risk of depression
We hope you found some of the information here useful. We’re not saying your should cut out sugar completely – just to take more caution with your child’s sugar intake in the future. Did we miss anything out? What do you use a sugar substitute? What strategies do you employ to make sure your children eat less sugar? Please let us know in the comments below.
