Added sugar, as the name suggests, refers to sugars and sweeteners that are added to foods when they are being processed and packaged. This does not include sugar that is naturally occurring in food, such as fruit. Below is a list of common sources of added sugar as determined by the USDA MyPlate:
Most prevalently, added sugar can increase the risk of dental cavities in children and adults. High intake of added sugar has also been associated with type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers in the long term. Great ways to reduce the added sugar in your child’s diet is to properly scan nutrition labels on packaged foods for the above sources of added sugar. Additionally, sugary drinks can be substituted with milk or water flavored with fruits and herbs. Perhaps the easiest way to reduce added sugar intake is to cook food at home instead of buying packaged foods – so that you know exactly what goes into a meal. Below is a recipe that demonstrates how fruits can be used for natural sweetness in order to reduce added sugars:
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