Babies are sweet, from their gumdrop smiles to their cinnamon roll legs. But when it comes to giving your baby a sugary treat to eat, how do you know when it’s just too much?
Say “No Thanks” to Added Sugar
In recent years, U.S. nutrition experts have changed their guidance to be stricter about how much added sugar is OK for babies. The new diet recommendations suggest babies under two have no added sugar at all. That means holding off on regularly offering them things like fruit juices, cookies, cakes, ice cream, candy, jams, snack bars and more.
The reason, experts say, is that every bite counts in terms of shaping your baby’s long-term health and taste preferences. Sugary snacks and drinks shouldn’t take the place of other, more nutrient-rich foods your baby needs for healthy development.
Babies are born with a preference for sweet foods. Giving them too many treats early in life could set them up with a sweet tooth that’s hard to quit later. Instead, try to give your baby a variety of foods with different tastes and textures to help them develop a palette for lifelong healthy eating.
They’ll Thank You Down the Line
Research shows a link between babies who have lots of sugar early in their development and chronic health conditions like obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes as adults. They may also run into more problems with tooth decay, even as early as their toddler years.
Foods with sugars that occur naturally, like milk, fruits and berries, aren’t considered “added sugar” foods. But you will want to think twice before offering some foods and drinks that contain sugar that you might not expect.
Foods to keep off the table:
- Fruit juices
- Processed foods and desserts
- Most breakfast cereals
- Sports drinks and sodas
Many experts used to advise previous generations to offer their youngsters fruit juice throughout the day. But new diet recommendations say that even 100% fruit juice isn’t a source of nutrition. Sticking to water is a better choice.
Experts also say to check nutrition labels for added sugar if you’re not sure what’s in a food you plan to offer your baby. Sugar is also called high-fructose corn syrup, dextrose and fructose. And hold off on honey, too. Aside from being a sugar source, honey is not safe for infants under one due to botulism risk.
Sharing Sweet Moments
Most experts say that after your baby is six months old and eating solid food, offering them an occasional taste of a sweet treat on a special occasion isn’t a cause for concern. Sharing and enjoying a variety of foods together is a wonderful part of family life.
However, you can help your child set healthy boundaries with sweet foods early on. When they ask for more, experts advise putting limits in place without turning the issue into too big of a deal. You can also help set a healthy example with the foods you choose to eat and try to reduce sugar in your diet when you can.
Foods they may enjoy trying:
- Cheese and yogurt
- Fruits
- Peanut butter without added sugar
- Veggies with hummus
We’re Here to Help
You lead the charge when it comes to the choices you make for your baby. And when you need help, we’re always here. If you have questions or want more information, you can learn more about mother and baby care on our website or schedule an appointment with one of our providers.
