Children under the age of two should not eat food with added sugar at all, is the recommendation of Dr. Ulrich Fegeler, a member of the German Association of Pediatricians (BVKJ).
Added sugars are those that are not found naturally in foods and drinks. This means that an apple slice is a better snack for toddlers than a chocolate chip cookie.
"Research has shown that habits from early childhood greatly influence food choices later in life," claims Fegeler, as Hina writes.
The tastes that children develop are difficult to change later. If they are exposed to a variety of tastes at an early age, they are more likely to develop a liking for sour and bitter foods later on.
The choice of food has a great influence on human health throughout life. If you eat too much sugar, you are more likely to be obese, have diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, cancer and tooth decay, Fegeler said.
How much sugar is acceptable?
The answer to the question of how much added sugar is acceptable to give to children from a health perspective is up to four large spoons, or 16 grams for two- and three-year-olds, and a maximum of five large spoons (20 grams) for children aged four to six.
Sugars are naturally found in fruits, vegetables and milk. Added sugars are found in processed foods, biscuits, cakes, sweets, chocolate, flavored yoghurts, sweetened cereals, and fruit and carbonated juices.
Parents are advised to check the amount of sugar on product labels.
Sugars appear under various names: glucose-fructose syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, fructose, dextrose, sucrose, glucose, maltose, levulose, honey, fruit juices, corn syrup, maple syrup, agave syrup, and molasses.
Bonus video:
