Before we delve into this very divisive and often emotionally charged topic, it is important to state: added sugar is present in almost every food nowadays, making it almost unavoidable. 

It is also essential to note that sugar is not necessarily bad and not our enemy, as it is not worth (and indeed not allowed!) to label foods as "good" or "bad"! 

Of course, there are more nutritious and healthier foods, as well as less nutritious and less healthy ones, but polarized opinions lead to nothing good, at most to guilt and, in worse cases, eating or body image disorders. 

Therefore, we should not associate our child's sugar consumption with how we judge ourselves as good or bad parents! Sugar has nothing to do with this! 

 

But why is excessive sugar consumption not recommended for babies and young children? 

It is a fact that most young children consume significantly more sugar than necessary. 

Moreover - to make the situation not accidentally simple - most of us come into the world with a natural preference for sweet flavors. Thus, the fact that almost everything contains added sugar is compounded by the fact that little ones are more inclined to eat sweet foods. (Just think about it, breast milk itself has a sweet taste!) 

Foods containing added sugar take up space in the small stomachs of children - or even on their plates - from nutrients that promote healthy and proper development. This is a problem because every "drop" of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements plays an important role in the optimal growth of children at a young age! Moreover, over time, those who frequently consume sweet foods will have a stronger preference and craving for such flavors; the addiction caused by sugar - and its health-damaging consequences - can be perfectly laid down even in very early childhood. 

Excessive sugar preference can also be a serious indicator of pickiness: the craving for sweet flavors suppresses curiosity and willingness to taste other flavors. Thus, it becomes increasingly difficult for us if we want to introduce other foods and flavors to our child. 

 

 

What counts as added sugar? 

When we talk about added sugar, we are not just thinking about the classic white granulated sugar! Added sugar can be honey, agave syrup, and in some respects, artificial sweeteners as well, since our body reacts to all of them in roughly the same way. 

 

What about fruits? 

What should definitely not be included in the above are fruits, as they do not contain added sugars - only natural ones. Moreover, these are associated with beneficial nutrients such as vitamins and fibers, which are essential for the body. Therefore, there is no need to fear fruits; we should be happy if our child enjoys consuming them! 

 

Sugar everywhere

As mentioned above, added sugar can be found in almost everything, not just in piles of sweets and cakes!

If we walk attentively between the supermarket shelves and take some time to read the labels, we may realize that many foods contain added sugar that we might not have thought of: breads, yogurts, tomato sauces, and even baby foods. 

The first and most important step towards a sugar-free life is to consciously select the ingredients at home! At the beginning, take a little more time and carefully read the list of ingredients on the packaging! Strive to purchase sugar-free products wherever and whenever possible!

I find it important to mention dairy products, as many children enjoy consuming them, and many parents are happy to offer them daily. Unfortunately, these products contain a large amount of sugar, so it is advisable to avoid their daily presence in children's diets!

 

 

When can my child eat sugary foods? 

According to official recommendations, children under the age of 2 do not need dishes containing added sugar. Of course, we already know that this is essentially impossible, so let's focus specifically on sweets and snacks when we talk about "sugary foods"!

 

It is worth examining this age limit further by breaking it down into additional age groups!

 

In the baby's first year, it is generally not difficult to ensure they do not consume sweet foods: if we do not offer them, our child will not ask for them, as they do not know them yet. Naturally, there is no problem if the little one tastes the birthday cake at a family gathering, but it is completely unnecessary to offer it separately. In fact, the main goal should be to ensure our child remains unaware of the culinary delights they are missing out on... that is, if they do not ask for it, do not let them taste various snacks and desserts. 

They are often satisfied if what lands on their plate resembles what others are eating. Therefore, we can confidently choose sugar-free alternatives and, for example, put natural yogurt or homemade fruit puree on the baby pancake instead of whipped cream or jam. 

 

For babies between 1-2 years old, however, sooner or later the point comes when this trick no longer necessarily works. Even children of this age do not have much idea of how many treats our world holds, so if we do not keep too many snacks at home and do not consume them in front of the child, we can still avoid the little one encountering sweets for a long time. 

However, if we eat sweets and our child asks for some, it would be a mistake to deny them, as at this age we should be happy with everything the little one wants to taste by following our example: whether it be fruit, vegetables, or even a scoop of ice cream... 

 

Of course, the responsibility does not lie solely with us, so seeing others (especially peers), children's curiosity about sweets will eventually awaken. From this point on, we have a more difficult task, and we must navigate the topic with the skill of a tightrope walker. 

 

 

Therefore, from the age of two (or when our child starts to actively show interest in snacks), it is worth changing our approach to the matter and definitely not making a "big deal" out of sweets! Do not forbid them, and do not associate them with special occasions or tasks, because the more unattainable something is, the more it is desired... and this is certainly true for sweets as well!

The goal from now on is for our child to develop a healthy relationship with sugary treats, with the fundamental pillar being that we do not label them as "bad" or with other descriptors. We need to guide our child to understand that sugary foods are just as much a part of a balanced diet as any other food. 

There is no need for mystique to surround it, we do not need to fear it, or feel guilty about it. After all, sugary food is just one of many foods. 

Of course, the above are merely guidelines and inspirations, rather than set-in-stone rules. Above all, the most important thing is that we as parents also maintain a healthy relationship with sugar and the snacks made from it. By doing so, we already set a healthy example for our child, which can later successfully strengthen our efforts towards a less sugary life.