#KnowBadSugar: What Do You Need to Know About the Sugar in Your Children’s Food?

As parents, we are always worried about our children’s diet. “Is this food good for my children? Which milk formula is the best for my children? Is this food too sweet for my children?” – Parents face haunting questions like these every day!

Children have a sweet tooth. So, when it comes to food, their top favourite must be something sweet! Sadly, sugars are everywhere – from doughnuts and soft drinks to chocolate and candies. Even when we stop them from eating sugary foods, there are still tons of food around us that contain hidden sugars! The hidden sugar in food is one of the reasons for the increase in the number of overweight children.

It’s our job as parents to monitor our children’s sugar intake. Let’s learn a little more about this addictive monster – sugar!

Different Types of Sugar in the Food
There are two types of sugar in food – natural sugars and added sugar.

Natural sugars can be found in fruits, vegetables, and dairy. These naturally occurring sugars are not harmful to children and it provides nutrition, vitamins and high fibre to the body. Foods that contain natural sugars also provide a faster yet more stable energy source to the body.

On the other hand, there is added sugar. Added sugars are sugars or sweeteners that are added to foods or drinks during processing or preparation. They are used to enhance the taste of the food, extend the product’s expiry date and keep food consumable. Most of the time, there are also hidden sugars in the so-called ‘healthy’ food.

Why Should We Limit Children’s Sugar Intake?
Food companies always target children as their consumers. Children are born with a preference for sugar and it may be hard for them to manage sugar cravings. Most children exceed their maximum recommended daily sugar intake by just eating normal meals. This might lead to many serious health issues and put a child at risk for:

- Learning disability
  
  Sugar will cause a rapid rise in adrenaline which will make children more active, playful, and difficult to concentrate.
- Obesity
  
  Children’s bodies can have difficulty processing excessive sugar. Over time, these sugars will become extra calories that slowly turn into fat and lead to obesity.
- Painful tooth decay
  
  When kids consume too much sugar, the harmful bacteria in the mouth will soften the tooth’s enamel and put your child at a greater risk painful of tooth decay.
- Loss of appetite
  
  Foods with high sugar content like soft drinks and snacks are digested very quickly. The body will signal feelings of fullness to the brain and causes children to lose their appetite for normal meals.
- Diabetes
  
  Blood sugar spikes can occur when kids consume too much sugar. Over time, the body may become insulin resistant and lead to type 2 diabetes.

Recommended Daily Sugar Intake for Kids
Here’s the recommended daily sugar intake for children according to the Malaysian Dietary Guideline for Children and Adolescents 2013 ¹

- 2 to 6 years old: not more than three teaspoons (<15g)
- 7 to 10 years old: not more than four teaspoons (>15g)

Give Your Child A Pure Start to Life!
Sugar is important for kids as it provides energy for them to play and learn. But too much sugar may cause opposite effects! That is why it is very important to keep track of your child’s sugar intake.

Sadly, sugars are EVERYWHERE! The trouble with added sugar is that it comes under many different names and it is hiding behind every nutrition label. You can find added sugar in many products, even where you would least expect it: formula milk. Most of the formula milk in the market contains added sugar in order to suit the taste preferences of kids – that is why you should be checking the nutrition label before buying a product.

Thankfully, Bellamy’s Organic EQUISPIRE produces only organic products with no added sugar. The EQUISPIRE Step 3 Toddler Milk may be the one that you have been searching for this whole time!

Bellamy’s Organic EQUISPIRE Step 3 Toddler Milk with No Added Sugar
Our EQUISPIRE Step 3 Toddler Milk is made from certified organic cow’s milk. It is a premium formula milk crafted with no added sugars to support toddlers from age 1 to age 3. It is also formulated to provide our children with prebiotics (GOS) and 16 types of daily essential vitamins, nutrition, and minerals that can boost your children’s immune system.

There’s also Iodine, Iron and Zinc to support our children’s brain development together with Calcium and Vitamin D to strengthen your children’s bones and teeth. Most importantly, it is purely organic with no added sugars, colour flavours or preservatives – the parents’ best choice!

Bellamy’s Organic EQUISPIRE also offer a wide range of nutritional products including

- EQUINUTRI Step 4 Toddler Milk for children more than 4 years old
- EQUIMUM Pregnancy Formula to support the health of mothers during the pre, during and post-pregnancy,
- EQUIRA Organic Apple Snack and EQUIRA Organic Apple & Pear Snacks that your child needs between meals.

Check out Bellamy’s Organic EQUISPIRE products at https://www.bellamysorganic.com.my or find a stockist here.