Most children consume their own body weight in sugar in 1 year

We already know that a glass of cola or a pack of fruit drink contains a lot of sugar, but did you know that ready-made soups, breakfast cereals, and pasta sauces also contain a lot of sugars? Dutch people consume – often unknowingly – an average of 20 sugar cubes per day instead of the recommended 12.5 (women) or 15 sugar cubes (men). Most children even consume their own body weight in sugars in a year. And that is far too much according to the Diabetes Fund.

A maximum of 6 teaspoons of sugar per day. That is the maximum children aged 2 to 18 should consume per day according to the American Heart Association. This organization researched the impact of sugar on children and teenagers. The result? An excess of sugars leads to a higher risk of weight gain, obesity, insulin resistance, high cholesterol, and liver disease.

Added sugars are the culprit
Perhaps you don't give your children candy or fruit juice packs during the week. But don't underestimate the added sugars in other products. For example, a regular bottle of tomato ketchup can contain up to 45 sugar cubes. And what about a sandwich with chocolate sprinkles (15 grams of sugar), a glass of multivitamin juice (17 grams of sugar), and a fruit biscuit with apple and raisins (36.9 grams of sugar per 100 grams). Sauces, salad dressings, packaged orange juice, and muesli generally contain a lot of unnecessary sugars as well.

How can you ensure your child consumes less sugar?
Do we all need to eat sugar-free? The answer is simple: no. Sugar provides energy to get through the day. It is a fuel that, for example, allows you to think and move. Too much sugar is, of course, bad for you, but eating completely sugar-free is almost impossible. Sugar is also found in products like fruit, bread, and milk. Fortunately, you can ensure your child consumes less sugar by reading the labels of the products you buy carefully. Pay attention not only to sugar but also to so-called hidden names, such as dextrose, fructose, lactose, honey, maple syrup, and candy sugar.

Tips to eat less sugar:
The Diabetes Fund has provided tips to ensure both adults and children eat less sugar:

Check the ingredients for hidden names for sugar, such as dextrose, fructose, lactose, honey, maple syrup, and candy sugar
Compare products with each other and choose a product with less sugar
Don't give up too quickly, it takes time to get used to a less sweet taste
Also, look in other stores: the selection can vary greatly
Try making a sauce or meal yourself that you normally buy ready-made

Sources: Nutrition Center and the Diabetes Fund

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