Quick Answers
Is sugar bad for children? What about sugar substitutes?
Sugar has a bad reputation. Yet we are all born with a
liking for sweet taste. In moderation, sugar can make
foods taste better. But in excess, sugar contributes
calories and no important nutrients. It can also cause
tooth decay. However, sugar has never been proven to
cause or worsen hyperactivity. It’s important not to
make sugar (or any food) the “forbidden fruit.” Think of
sugar the way Mary Poppins did--a spoonful helps the
medicine go down. In other words, syrup on a pancake,
helps the pancake go down. Chocolate syrup in milk,
helps the milk go down. As a rule of thumb, look for
breakfast cereals with no more than 8 grams of sugar per
serving. Sugar substitutes are only recommended for
children who cannot metabolize sugar (diabetics).
Review Making Mealtime Pleasant with Young Children for more information.
Melinda Hemmelgarn, M.S., R.D.,
Nutritional Sciences Specialist, University of Missouri
Extension
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Last update: Friday, February 06, 2009
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