A recent survey conducted by Public Health England (PHE) reveals alarming statistics regarding the sugar intake of children under ten. According to the findings, these kids are consuming nearly half of their recommended daily sugar allowance by the time they finish breakfast, and by bedtime, they might have tripled that amount.
The National Diet and Nutrition survey highlighted that the average child ingests approximately three sugar cubes—around 11 grams—before heading to school, primarily from sugary cereals, drinks, and spreads. This is concerning given that children aged four to ten should ideally limit their daily sugar intake to just five or six cubes. Consequently, if kids are consuming over three times that amount daily, they are averaging between 15 and 18 sugar cubes.
Many parents may be taken aback by these figures, especially those who believe they’re making healthy breakfast choices for their children. Research indicates that a staggering 80% of parents consider their children’s breakfasts to be nutritious, yet hidden sugars lurk in many items thought to be healthy, such as yogurt and granola. To combat this issue, PHE has launched an initiative to raise awareness about sugar consumption and has introduced an app called Be Food Smart, which allows users to scan product barcodes to check for sugar, saturated fat, and salt content.
In addition, former Chancellor Greg Edwards has proposed a sugar tax, set to take effect in April 2018, on beverages containing more than 5 grams of sugar per 100ml, which predominantly targets soft drinks. This initiative is drawing significant attention from the beverage industry, particularly major players like Coca-Cola.
What about the United States?
A June report by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) identified cereal as the fifth largest source of added sugar in children’s diets. While it may not seem too alarming at first glance, it becomes more concerning when considering that the top four sources include items like ice cream and cookies. In the U.S., serving sizes for cereals often underestimate the amount that children actually consume. For instance, many sugary cereals are marketed with serving sizes that are only one-fourth to one-half of what children typically eat.
Despite this, changes are on the horizon for food labels in the U.S. Over the next couple of years, serving sizes will be adjusted to reflect more realistic amounts, and added sugar content will be explicitly listed. Given the current nine-gram sugar limit per serving, it’s likely that none of the ten most advertised cereals would meet this new standard.
How Can Parents Provide a Healthier Breakfast?
Here are some nutritious, low-sugar options:
- Fresh fruit
- Smoothies made with fruit
- Unsweetened oatmeal (good luck with that)
- Whole grain toast topped with peanut butter
- Low-sugar cereals like Cheerios or Rice Krispies
- Eggs
Of course, if you find yourself resorting to sugary cereals like Fruit Loops one chaotic morning, don’t beat yourself up. We all have those days.
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In summary, the sugar consumption of children at breakfast is a pressing issue that highlights the need for parents to be more vigilant about their breakfast choices. With increased awareness and a few healthier options, we can help set our kids on a path to better nutrition.