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Preschoolers and Sugar - Grams per Day Recommendation
How many grams of sugar a day is healthy for preschoolers? Specific recommendations about total sugar haven't been made, but most experts agree that added sugars should be limited. Added sugars are those that are not found naturally in a food. They are added during processing or at the table for extra sweetness. Learn about limits for added sugars so next time you're reading a food label, you can judge whether the sugar content is healthy for your preschooler.
Based on preschooler calorie needs of 1200-1700 calories per day and using the 10% of calories limit for added sugars, preschoolers should eat no more than 30-42 grams of added sugar or 7-11 tsp of added sugar per day. The added sugar limit does not include naturally occurring sugars found in foods like plain milk, plain yogurt, fruit and 100% fruit juice.
This is a general guideline since calorie requirements are different for each preschooler. To find out more, see Preschooler Calorie Needs.
Candy
Sweetened fruit drinks
Sweetened breakfast cereals
Desserts - cakes, cookies, pie, ice cream, pudding
Sweetened yogurt
Sweetened fruit snacks and some dried fruit
Sweet snacks
Breakfast and cereal bars
Jam and jelly
Syrups - pancake, chocolate, ice cream toppings
For more information on how much added sugars is in these and other foods, read Added Sugars in Common Preschooler Foods.
1. Choose carbohydrate foods that are nutrient-dense like fruits, vegetables and beans
2. Replace refined grains like white bread, white flour, and white rice with whole grain versions
3. Limit added sugars when choosing and preparing foods
World Health Organization. Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Disease. 2003. http://whqlibdoc.who.int/trs/WHO_TRS_916.pdf
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 2007. Nutrient Intakes from Food: Mean Amounts Consumed per Individual, One Day, 2003-2004. www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/fsrg
Kranz S, et al. Adverse effect of high added sugar consumption on dietary intake in American preschoolers. J Pediatr. 2005 Jan;146(1):105-11.
by Kati Chevaux
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Added Sugar Recommendations for Preschoolers
Two organizations have published guidelines about added sugars. The World Health Organization recommends that added sugars should make up no more than 10% of calories. The Food and Nutrition Board set a maximum of 25% of calories for added sugars. In a recent study in preschoolers, however, more added sugars in the diet meant less nutrients and food groups. Specific nutrients suffered when added sugars rose above 16% of calories.Based on preschooler calorie needs of 1200-1700 calories per day and using the 10% of calories limit for added sugars, preschoolers should eat no more than 30-42 grams of added sugar or 7-11 tsp of added sugar per day. The added sugar limit does not include naturally occurring sugars found in foods like plain milk, plain yogurt, fruit and 100% fruit juice.
This is a general guideline since calorie requirements are different for each preschooler. To find out more, see Preschooler Calorie Needs.
Why Limit Added Sugar?
Added sugars contribute calories but no nutrients to a preschooler's diet. When a child is eating lots of sugar-added foods, it's difficult to get adequate nutrients and fiber. Offering main meal foods and snacks with less or no added sugar can also help reduce a child's reliance on sweetness to enjoy food.Sources of Added Sugars
SodaCandy
Sweetened fruit drinks
Sweetened breakfast cereals
Desserts - cakes, cookies, pie, ice cream, pudding
Sweetened yogurt
Sweetened fruit snacks and some dried fruit
Sweet snacks
Breakfast and cereal bars
Jam and jelly
Syrups - pancake, chocolate, ice cream toppings
For more information on how much added sugars is in these and other foods, read Added Sugars in Common Preschooler Foods.
General Tips for Carbohydrates
Added sugars are just one form of carbohydrates in your preschooler's diet. Other forms are starches, fiber and naturally occurring sugars in foods like milk and fruit.1. Choose carbohydrate foods that are nutrient-dense like fruits, vegetables and beans
2. Replace refined grains like white bread, white flour, and white rice with whole grain versions
3. Limit added sugars when choosing and preparing foods
References
Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids (Macronutrients) (2005) National Academy of Sciences. Institute of Medicine. Food and Nutrition Board.World Health Organization. Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Disease. 2003. http://whqlibdoc.who.int/trs/WHO_TRS_916.pdf
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 2007. Nutrient Intakes from Food: Mean Amounts Consumed per Individual, One Day, 2003-2004. www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/fsrg
Kranz S, et al. Adverse effect of high added sugar consumption on dietary intake in American preschoolers. J Pediatr. 2005 Jan;146(1):105-11.
by Kati Chevaux
Like this article? Get more like it in your inbox. Subscribe today to our free weekly newsletter.