A recent survey from Public Health England (PHE) has shed light on a concerning trend: children under ten are consuming nearly half of their daily sugar allowance by the time breakfast is over. By the end of the day, they are often ingesting three times the recommended sugar intake. According to The Guardian, the average child in the National Diet and Nutrition survey consumes around 11 grams (or about three sugar cubes) of sugar before heading to school, primarily from sugary cereals, sweetened drinks, and spreads. The daily recommendation for children aged four to ten is a mere five or six sugar cubes, which means many kids are exceeding this limit, taking in an average of 15-18 cubes daily. Ouch!
This shocking statistic may be eye-opening for many parents who believe they’re offering healthy breakfasts. In fact, eight out of ten parents surveyed thought their children’s morning meals were nutritious. However, hidden sugars lurk in many seemingly healthy items, including yogurt and granola. To help parents make informed choices, PHE has launched an awareness campaign and introduced an app called Be Food Smart. This handy tool allows users to scan barcodes and discover the sugar, saturated fat, and salt content of various products. Additionally, former Chancellor Greg Stevens has suggested implementing a sugar tax starting in April 2018, targeting drinks that contain more than 5 grams of sugar per 100ml. While this has raised eyebrows among companies like Coca-Cola, England is taking steps to combat the sugar crisis.
Now, what about the United States? In June, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) reported that cereal ranks as the fifth highest source of added sugar in children’s diets. While that may not sound too alarming at first glance, it’s crucial to note that the top four sources include treats like ice cream and cookies. Unfortunately, cereal manufacturers have been benefiting from unrealistic serving sizes—cereals can have a maximum of nine grams of sugar per serving, but kids often consume much more than what’s recommended. For instance, the typical serving size for sugary cereals is frequently one-fourth to one-half of what a child actually eats. It’s like checking the nutrition facts on Oreos and realizing the serving is just three cookies—who eats only three?!
Fortunately, changes are on the horizon for U.S. food labels. In the next couple of years, serving sizes will be adjusted to reflect more realistic quantities, and added sugars will be clearly listed. According to the EWG, under the current nine grams of sugar per serving limit, none of the ten most advertised cereals would meet the requirements.
What Can Parents Do?
So, what can parents do to provide a healthier breakfast for their kids? Here are some low-sugar options to consider:
- Fresh fruits (you know the saying, “Fruit, fruit, good for your heart!”)
- Nutritious smoothies (with fruit, of course!)
- Unsweetened oatmeal (good luck with that)
- Whole grain toast topped with peanut butter
- Low sugar cereals such as Cheerios and Rice Krispies
- Eggs
You get the idea! And if you ever find yourself in a bind and pack a sugary cereal like Fruit Loops for your child, remember, we won’t judge. Parenting is hard!
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In summary, it’s imperative for parents to be vigilant about their children’s sugar intake, especially at breakfast. With a few simple swaps, we can help our little ones start the day off right.