Regulating sugar

I just did a quick grocery run on my lunch break and it made me wonder if anyone could give me a specific amount...

I've read studies giving a range of sugar that toddlers can have measured in teaspoons. On food labels it's recorded in grams. There is no separation of natural sugar and added sugar but on things like yogurt, fruit/veggie purees, crackers etc I usually look at the total sugar content in general. I recognize how much sugar is in "healthy" food and have changed my food choices because of it. Regardless, I'm still unsure of how much sugar is ok. People tell me "as little as possible" and I get so annoyed haha. Can someone give me an amount in grams of how much sugar I should allow my toddler to eat? She's 21mos fwiw.

Re: Regulating sugar

i have no idea what the answer is. i was just looknig on some food sheets a dietician family member gave me and it's not on the daily recommendations, it's in the "limit" category.
I think that you should just think about sugar that is not naturally occurring and try to limit that as much as possible. i wouldnt worry about how much sugar they're getting that is naturally occurring.


Here's part of the list I was referring to:

Foods Not Recommended

Milk and Milk Products
Nonfat milk for children younger than 2 years
Sweetened flavored milk drinks, such as chocolate or strawberry


Protein Foods, Meat and Other
Undercooked meat served in chunks larger than ¼-inch pieces


Grains
Fried pastries and cereal mixes

Vegetables Difficult-to-chew fresh vegetables (for example, vegetables with peels)

Fruits Difficult-to-chew whole fresh fruits, especially with peelings Dried fruits

Fats and Oils
Limit added fats and oils to less than 4 teaspoons daily.


Beverages drinks, and soft drinks
All sweetened beverages, such as fruit-flavored drinks, soda pop, sport


Sweets, Desserts, and Snacks
Limit high-sugar, high-salt, and fried foods to rare treats.
Avoid sweet or sticky foods and candy that can remain in the mouth for a long time and cause cavities.

Message edited 1/23/2014 3:47:34 PM.

Regulating sugar

Dd is almost 14 months and I just have her avoid anything with added sugar. (No juice, cookies etc) fruits etc are ok

Regulating sugar

Never read such studies. I just limited the crap she ate period. Fruits, veggies, meats, cheeses.. avoid fried and sugar coated anything. Got grief for the Halloween, xmas and easter rations but she's fine.

I'm sure there's probably some chart out there somewhere but its hard to say how much a kid can or can't have without knowing their health and activities.

Good Luck

Regulating sugar

There are about 4 g sugar in a teaspoon.
you just want to limit added sugar- food has natural sugar like in milk and fruit and that ok. Your better off reading the ingredients than the nutrition facts label.

If you eat mostly "real" foods, and not packaged processed foods, your avoiding most added sugars anyway. I'm a dietitian and I suggest to aim for mostly real foods and not worry about numbers.