Originally Created by Cyndi Willmarth, M. Ed. And Presented by Cyndi Willmarth and Mendy Covington

Kentucky Department of EducationSchool and Community Nutrition

August 2011

The impact of added sugar in the diets of

young children

1. Learn what “sugar” is.

2. Know the similarities and difference between naturally occurring sugars and added

sugars.

3.Learn the daily limits of added sugar according to the American Heart Association, American Dietetic

Association, and the USDA.

4. Know why there are agreed upon limits of daily added sugar

consumption.

5. Know why products have added sugar and identify the various

names for these sugars.

GOALS:

6.Know what kind of products have added sugar and examine commonly used “added sugar”

items in child care centers, home care programs, and preschools.

.

7.Compare and contrast amounts of added sugar in

everyday items.

8.Learn how to examine and create menus with limited amounts of added sugar

GOALS:

Sugar Quiz!

So what exactly IS sugar?

*A variety of naturally occurring compounds *Found mainly in plants (fruits, vegetables, and grains) *Gives the food varying degrees of the taste “sweet.”

*Refined sugar is processed natural sugar

*Sugarcane and Sugarbeet are main sources

Milk Sugars (sometimes called lactose) is a naturally occurring

“sweet” compound in dairy products.

Added Sugars: Refined Sugars ADDED to food in addition to the naturally

occurring sugars.

Names for Sugar…

barley malt beet sugar brown sugar buttered syrup cane-juice crystals cane sugar caramel carob syrup corn syrup corn syrup solids date sugar dextran dextrose diatase diastatic malt

fructose fruit juice fruit juice concentrate glucose glucose solids golden sugar golden syrup grape sugar high-fructose corn syrup honey invert sugar lactose malt syrup maltodextrin maltose molasses raw sugar refiner's syrup sorghum syrup sucrose sugar turbinado sugar yellow sugar

Remember:

Both natural and processed sugar have many different

names.

Different kinds of sugar are used in products for

different reasons.

If the name ends in “ol” the substance is a “sugar

alcohol.” Sugar alcohols are not sugar or alcohol.

Are a type of artificial sweetener.

YES!

*Sugars are simple carbohydrates

*Source of energy both as immediate energy, and as stored energy.

*Sugars are good for the brain.

*In the past, the benefits of consuming sugar were commonly marketed.

Yes!

Too much sugar in a persons diet can be a trigger to a multitude of health problems. For young children, too much sugar, especially added sugar,

may contribute to a life time of health issues and poor eating habits.

Tooth decay

Poor nutrition

Weight gain

Sugar Suppresses the Immune System

Sugar can weaken the eyesight Sugar contributes to premature aging

Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis

Sugar can contribute to eczema in children

Sugar can damage the liver and pancreas

Sugar causes dizzinessSugar can exacerbate PMS

Sugar causes hyperactivity and anxiety

in young children

Sugar contributes to gall stones and heart disease

Sugar can cause headaches, especially migraines.

Sugar causes constipation and varicose veins

If you aren’t feeling good…..check your sugar consumption!

When too much sugar is consumed at once, the body is flooded with insulin

which ultimately causes your body to “crash,” i.e feel tired,

weak, unable to focus.

Wish I would have chose WATER instead of the Big Gulp…..

Added Sugar Consumption Limits From the 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines and the

American Heart Association

Women: No more than

6 Teaspoons of added sugar per

day

Men: No More than

9 Teaspoons of added sugar per

day

Actual Average Added Sugar Consumption based on study conducted by American Heart

Association

Women:22 Teaspoons of added sugar per

day

Men:22 Teaspoons of added sugar

per day

Added Sugar Consumption Limits From the 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines and the

American Heart Association

Children:No More

than4 Teaspoons

per day

Actual Average Added Sugar Consumption based on study conducted by American Heart

Association

Children:12 Teaspoons of added sugar per day (preschool)

School Age-21 Teaspoons of added sugar per day (school age)

WHY???

History LessonAll About Added Sugar!

(510 BC) -First used in Polynesia -Closely guarded SECRET

-Called “the reed which gives honey without bees.”

-Very difficult to harvest, cultivate and refine-Limited sugar expansion as countries

invaded other countries

(1099) -Sugar was discovered by western Europeans as a result of

the crusades. -The next few centuries saw a major expansion of western

European trade with the East, including sugar.

-It was expensive though…$100 for 2 pounds in today’s prices!

(15 century) -Columbus took sugarcane to the “New World”

and quickly found the Caribbean a perfect place to

grow the cane.

(1750) -There were 120 sugar refineries in Britain. -Called “white gold.”

-Taxed highly -Caused wars

- Slaves were forcibly brought over from Africa to the Caribbean to cultivate the sugar cane fields.

(1800 )-Wide Spread Sugar Production-“Comparatively” inexpensive and could

be purchased in large quantities. -Sugar started to be used on a regular

basis by more and more people.

Current:-Most sugar in US imported from Brazil

-Processing the sugarcane has become much more streamlined as technology has improved.

-The demand for sugar increases every year.

(1886)

Modern Day Added Sugar Production and Consumption: Who, What and Why? Sugar,

Sugar, SUGAR

!!

Need more sugar

At the end of the 19th century (1887-1890), the average American consumed 5 lbs. of added sugar per year. Today, an average American consumes

2-3 pounds of sugar each week. 

Over the last 20 years, sugar consumption in the U.S. has increased from 26 pounds to 135 lbs. of sugar per person per year.

(60 lbs is High Fructose Corn Syrup)

Added Sugar consumption includes table sugar and highly refined sugars that are

incorporated into many of the foods we eat (bread, peanut butter, condiments, sauces, etc.).  Some of these are better known as

sucrose (table sugar), dextrose (corn sugar), and high-fructose corn syrup.

Why do companies add sugar to their products?

Gives baked goods texture and color

Helps preserve foods such as jams and jellies

Fuels fermentation which enables bread to rise

Why do companies add sugar to their products?

Boosts Flavor

Serves as a bulking agent in baked goods and ice cream

Balances the acidity of foods containing

vinegar and tomatoes

Makes you want MORE!!

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)

High-fructose corn syrup is the most common added sweetener in processed

foods and beverages. (Soda!)

Coincidence or Not?In the 40 years since the introduction of high-fructose corn syrup as a cost-effective sweetener in the American diet,

rates of obesity in the U.S. have skyrocketed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Research is currently being conducted to determine the effect of HFCS on the body. Does the body

process it and store it differently?

Used in much greater quantity in the United States than table sugar, because it is significantly less expensive to produce and transport.

Produced in US using corn, a government subsidized crop.

High-fructose corn syrup is produced by milling corn (not sugar cane or sugar beet as in typical table sugar. ) Per

gram, It is much sweeter than table sugar.

RECAP Sugar is a natural substance that comes from the fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy products.

Refined sugar is plant sugar that has been chemically processed.

Added sugar is refined sugar that is added to food for a variety of reasons.

Sugar provides necessary energy for the body.

Eating too much sugar on a daily basis, and over time can have detrimental effects on the body.

Sugar has many names. Some of these names may be very unfamiliar to most people.

Parents and caregivers need to be especially mindful of the added sugar in the diets of young children. Children's’ nutritional needs are great and good/bad habits develop early.

Added Sugar:

In What?

How Much??

Part 2

Just How Much Sugar is in That?

1 teaspoon(4 grams)=

=1sugar packet = 1 sugar cube

Sugar is listed on product labels in GRAMS

4 grams of sugar equals one teaspoon of sugar

Let’s Practice!

(4 grams) (4 grams)

Just How Much Sugar is in That?

16 grams of sugar equals…… 4 teaspoons

31 grams of sugar equals….(7.75) Almost 8 teaspoons

44 grams of sugar equals 11 teaspoons

REMINDER: Children should get no more than 4 teaspoons of added sugar per day.

16 grams of added sugar4 teaspoons equals…….

Let’s Look at Some Sugar Stacks!

(www. Sugarstacks.com)

Vitamin Water- B Relaxed (Jackfruit and Guava Flavor)

8 oz 3 ¼ teaspoons

13 grams

20 oz 8 ¼ tsp. 33 grams

Capri Sun Pacific Cooler

4 ½ teaspoons 18 grams

Minute Maid Lemonade

8 oz6¾ teaspoons 27 grams

20 oz16 ¾ tsp67 grams

32 ounce Big Gulp (Coca-Cola) and a 44 ounce Super Big Gulp(15% Ice in Cup)

32 oz 33 ¾ teaspoons

91 grams 44 oz

32 teaspoons 128 grams

A word about 100% juice……

100% Apple Juice

8 oz 6 ½ tsp sugar

26 grams

16 oz13 tsp

52 grams

Yoplait Light Yogurt (6 oz)

3 ½ tsp 14 grams

Yoplait Yogurt, Strawberry Flavored (6 oz)

6 ¾ tsps 27 grams

Graham Crackers (2 sheets/4 squares)

2 tsp8 grams

Fig Newton's (2 cookies/29 grams) 3-5 year old snack serving size

2 cookies3 taps

12 grams

(School Agers)

4 cookies6 tsp

24 grams

1 Tablespoon Ketchup

Has

1 tsp sugar4 grams

(A ketchup packet has about ½ teaspoon sugar)

Pop Tarts Frosted Cherry

4 ¼ tsps 17 grams

2 plain Eggo waffles with ¼ cup syrup

1 tsp 4 grams

8 ¾ tsps35 grams

One Cup Cheerios Cereal

¼ teaspoon 1 gram sugar

Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino

47 Grams

Slurpee: 28 oz Cherry and 40 oz Cola

7-Eleven Slurpee,

Fanta Cherry

28 oz cup

63g

7-Eleven Slurpee

Coca-Cola

40 oz cup

90g

Will your brain freeze come from the ice or the sugar???

21 oz (Medium) Chocolate Shake from McDonalds

111 grams

Added Sugar in a

Typical Day

Let’s Meet Jordyn!

Jordyn is four years old

Jordyn attends Happy Camper Preschool and

Day Care Monday through Friday

Jordyn likes dinosaurs, playing with his best friend Shawn, and going

outside.

Jordyn’s favorite foods are macaroni and cheese, chicken

nuggets, and strawberries.

A typical daily diet for Jordyn

6:30 AM Snack in the car on the way to school:

8:30 Breakfast at Day Care Center:

11:30 Lunch at Day Care Center

2:30 PM Snack at Day Care Center

6:00 McDonalds Happy Meal

5:30 Snack in the car on way to McDonalds

A typical daily diet for Jordyn

6:30 AM Snack in the car on the way to school:

8:30 Breakfast at Day Care Center:

11:30 Lunch at Day Care Center

2:30 PM Snack at Day Care Center

6:00 McDonalds Happy Meal

5:30 Snack in the car on way to McDonalds

Grams of Added Sugar

13 g

35 g (muffin only)

14 g (sauce and peaches)

8 g

18 g

4g + 6g+ 16g=26 g

114 g = 28.5 teaspoons !

Let’s Make Some Changes in the Day Care Center!

6:30 AM Snack in the car on the way to school:

8:30 Breakfast at Day Care Center:

11:30 Lunch at Day Care Center

2:30 PM Snack at Day Care Center

6:00 McDonalds Happy Meal

5:30 Snack in the car on way to McDonalds

Grams of Added Sugar

13 g

1 g (cereal)

2 g (sauce)

18 g

4g + 6g+ 16g=26 g

0 g

3 gram from Day Care Center!

60 grams total or 15

teaspoons

Let’s Help Mom and Dad learn about Added Sugars!

6:30 AM Snack in the car on the way to school:

8:30 Breakfast at Day Care Center:

11:30 Lunch at Day Care Center

2:30 PM Snack at Day Care Center

6:00 McDonalds Happy Meal

5:30 Snack in the car on way to McDonalds

Grams of Added Sugar

1 g (cereal)

2 g (sauce)

0 g

3 gram from Day Care Center!

16 grams total or 4 teaspoons

total!

0 grams

3 g

4g + 6g=10 g

A Word About Sugar Advertising

and Marketing…….

Just because it’s “natural” or “wholesome” doesn’t

necessarily make it good for you. Remember..sugar is

natural!Read the labels and know your

product!

Let’s Go Over the

Quiz!

The Last Word…How Sweet it is!

Processed /Packaged Foods have added sugar. Whole Foods do not. Limit packaged

foods and you limit added sugar!

Read the labels of all packaged food you buy, prepare, or eat. Look for sugar names, and look at how many grams of sugar are in the product.

Little changes make a big impact, especially in the lives of young children. Remember….bad and GOOD habits start early. Young

children depend on YOU to support learning good habits.

Artificial sweeteners do not have the empty calories of sugar, but they do

contribute to your craving of more sugar.

Thank you for taking good care

of us!