How much sugar is too much sugar for kids, and how can that affect a child's health?

Nowadays, sugar features in the children's diet in the form of sweets, packaged snacks, beverages, and even so-called healthy foods. However, it could be one of the most dangerous things that your child consumes. Sugar in itself is not necessarily noxious if kept within norms but its excessive intake reduces a child's physical and emotional health to a deteriorated state. Parents should understand how much sugar is appropriate, how it affects health, and much more.



How much sugar is too much sugar?


For most children, added sugar shouldn't be more than around 25 grams or six teaspoons a day. For the smaller ones, children under two years of age, it is advisable to completely avoid this kind of sugar. Natural sugars in fruits and milk are different and generally not a concern when taken as part of a healthy diet. The report is according to American Heart Association (AHA), based on a scientific statement published in the journal Circulation.





Too much sugar can affect a child's health in several ways: from an increased risk of tooth decay, due to its feeding action on the bacteria in the teeth; to contribute to unhealthy gains in weight, increasing obesity in childhood and later in life.




Moreover, sugar also affect the child’s energy and behaviour through the day. Consuming high-sugar foods tends to cause rapid elevations in blood sugar levels, only to fall suddenly. Regularly fluctuating levels of energy in the child might affect their management of hunger and energy.




Sugar also has a high effect on the metabolic function. A diet high in added sugar can contribute to cases of insulin resistance, which can lead to problems of type 2 diabetes later in life when those children get older. It can also impact dietary preference to provide a taste for sweet-tasting foods, which would make it hard for those kids to want to eat healthier options.




What’s important is to read food labels, cut back on sugary beverages, serving whole foods such as fruits, nuts, and prepared meals will go a long way. It also helps the kids develop healthy eating habits by having desserts every now and then rather than daily.