Your Cart is Empty
Sugar is everywhere. Sometimes we know it and sometimes we wouldn’t expect it. For example, did you know that condiments like ketchup, mustard, and BBQ sauce contain as much as 40% of your sugar intake? With so many foods, drinks, and condiments containing added or hidden sugars, it can’t be good for our children. But how is it affecting them? Keep reading to find out.
The biggest reason why sugar is bad for children is that most foods that contain sugar have a lot of calories and little nutritional value. Take a Snickers candy bar vs. a NurturMe Super Immunity power blend pouch for example. The Snickers bar contains 27 grams of sugar in one serving. Now, taking a look at the NurturMe Super Immunity spinach, pea, and pear power blend pouch- there are 9 grams of sugar per serving. The difference is, a Snickers bar contains little to no nutritional value for your child. However, our Super Immunity pouches contain super fruits and super veggies with all-natural sugar and no added sugars. These fresh fruit and veggie purees are the start of healthy eating habits that are high in nutritional value and provide many vitamins and nutrients for your child to develop and grow. While not enough necessary vitamins and nutrients can depress their development in numerous ways.
On average, children 2+ should not have more than 25 grams of sugar in a single day with all meals combined. Too much sugar has been linked to obesity, unhealthy eating and exercise habits, declined heart health, diabetes, and dental problems.
As we’ve discussed, there are many hidden sugars in foods sold around the country. Knowing the names of these sugars is the first step in detecting them in your child’s foods. Check labels for “glucose, fructose, maltose, molasses, hydrolyzed starch, or corn syrup.” These are common names of sugar in disguise.
The human mouth naturally contains microbes, which are microorganisms that can breed bacteria. When sugar is consumed, the harmful bacteria in your mouth feed on it and can convert it to lactic acid. Although your enamel is one of the strongest compounds in your body, it is not indestructible. Once converted to lactic acid, it can cause damage to your enamel and dentin layers of the tooth. This damage to your teeth at an early age won’t just lead to unhealthy eating habits. It can also lead to cavities, gum disease, and other dental health problems in the future. Fluoride is an inorganic chemical that can be found naturally in rocks, water, and soils. Many pediatric dentists apply fluoride to your teeth during visits or cleanings. The chemical contains fluorapatite, a compound that adds a protective layer to your tooth, reducing decay and strengthening your child’s teeth. Many kid’s toothpastes and the water supply actually contain fluoride as well. So next time you’re looking for a new toothpaste for your child, make sure it contains fluoride to help protect their teeth.
At an early age, sugar can be dangerous. Joel Furman, MD describes sugar as having addictive characteristics, especially on young children. As they eat excess sugar, their brains crave more so to avoid a sugar crash. The reason this is so dangerous is that it impairs memory and cognitive functioning. When your child’s brain is still developing, this can have harmful effects.
Carbohydrates and processed foods contain high amounts of added sugars. When it comes to your children, make sure they are consuming fresh, whole foods with little to no sugars to keep them in good health.
Our snacks at NurturMe are the perfect healthy alternative. USDA certified organic, made with real fruits, veggies, and super grains, our snacks are free from common allergens like gluten, dairy, soy, eggs. They also contain no added sugars, instead, they do contain added probiotics to support your child’s immune system.
Additionally, try these healthy alternatives:
Other Related NurturMe Blogs:
-Detecting Food Allergies in Babies
-The Stages of Solids: Is Your Baby Ready?
