A recent survey by Public Health England (PHE) has revealed some alarming statistics regarding children’s sugar intake at breakfast. It turns out that kids under ten are consuming approximately 50% of their daily sugar allowance before they even head to school, and by bedtime, they often take in three times the recommended daily amount.
As reported by The Guardian, children in the National Diet and Nutrition survey consume an average of about 11 grams (the equivalent of three sugar cubes) of sugar during breakfast, primarily from sugary cereals, beverages, and spreads. The guidelines suggest that children aged four to ten should limit their sugar intake to five or six sugar cubes daily. This means many kids are actually consuming between 15 to 18 sugar cubes each day!
This revelation might catch many parents off guard, especially those who believe they’re providing healthy breakfasts. In fact, eight out of ten parents surveyed thought their children’s morning meals were nutritious. However, many seemingly healthy foods—like yogurt and granola—have hidden added sugars.
To assist parents in making informed dietary choices, PHE has launched an awareness campaign and introduced the “Be Food Smart” app. This app allows users to scan product barcodes to check sugar, saturated fat, and salt content. Additionally, former finance minister Mark Thompson has proposed a sugar tax set to start in April 2018 on drinks with more than 5 grams of sugar per 100ml, mainly targeting soft drinks. This initiative has stirred controversy among beverage companies in the UK, but it’s a step toward tackling the sugar problem.
You might be wondering about the situation in the United States. In June, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) released a report stating that breakfast cereals rank as the fifth-largest source of added sugars in children’s diets, trailing behind treats like ice cream and cookies. Many cereal serving sizes are misleadingly small, and children often consume more than what is stated on the package. For instance, most sugary cereals have a serving size that is only a quarter to half of what kids typically eat.
Fortunately, changes are on the horizon for US food labels. In two years, serving sizes will be adjusted to better reflect real consumption, and information about added sugars will be included on packaging. With the current nine-gram sugar limit per serving, it’s likely that most heavily marketed cereals will fall short of these new standards.
Healthy Breakfast Alternatives
So, how can parents kick off their kids’ days with healthier options? Here are some low-sugar breakfast ideas:
- Fresh fruit (because, who can resist?)
- Fruit smoothies
- Unsweetened oatmeal (a bit of a challenge, we know)
- Whole grain toast with peanut butter
- Low-sugar cereals like Cheerios or Rice Krispies
- Eggs for protein
And hey, if you find yourself giving in to the allure of sugary cereals occasionally, we totally get it. Life happens!
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In summary, the amount of sugar children consume at breakfast is concerning, with many kids starting their day with almost half their daily allowance. Awareness and education are key to making better choices, and there are plenty of delicious alternatives to sugary breakfasts.