The Serious Consequences of Giving Sugar to Your Baby
Many parents are concerned about their babies' excessive sugar consumption; others are unaware of the consequences this can have. Learn about the drawbacks of giving sugar to your baby.
It's becoming increasingly difficult to find sugar-free foods, not just for us adults but also for children. More and more parents want to avoid giving sugar to their little ones. However, it's becoming very complex.
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| Is eating sugar beneficial for babies? The experts' answer is clear. |
Many of us believe that baby foods are regulated and healthy, but this isn't entirely the case, as many contain high levels of sugar for young children. The WHO has already warned about this situation: many of the products advertised as suitable for babies are not.
The Consequences of Giving Your Baby Sugar
The World Health Organization stated that the best course of action for our babies is exclusive breastfeeding until six months of age. After that, it is recommended to begin complementary feeding and gradually add other foods. Currently, a wide range of products are offered to supplement breastfeeding; however, high amounts of sugar have been found in these products. Those affected included cereals, fruit and vegetable purees, cookies, and yogurts.
First of all, we should know that experts advise against sugar consumption in babies, as studies show that food preferences, as well as dietary guidelines, are established during this time: both during infancy and early childhood. The WHO states that the consumption of foods with excessive sugar can alter the development of taste preferences in children, as their taste for sweeter foods increases. This translates into a preference for sweets, which is beginning to be associated with overweight and obesity.
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| Feed your baby food that you have prepared, preferably. |
However, not all sugars are created equal. For example, the sugar found in whole fruits or breast milk occurs naturally. Cow's or goat's milk, as well as unsweetened dairy products, are not a cause for concern, as they are not considered sweet sugar. The greatest concern, therefore, comes from processed products. Sugar, in these cases, is presented through syrups, honey, or as sweeteners. These products should not be used in foods for children under 3 years of age, according to the World Health Organization.
Even products sweetened with fruit juice are not recommended, even if they claim to have "no added sugar." It is considered "misleading" to advertise these types of products in this way, as they are sweetened with fruit juice, and according to this organization, "fruit juice should not be added to foods for infants and young children."
Categories: Nutrition Tips