Health & Parenting

Kids' Diets Have Too Much Added Sugar

Sugar Recommendations Questioned

Current added sugar guidelines might be too liberal, say the researchers. They note that the National Academy of Sciences recommends getting no more than 25% of daily calories from added sugar. That could be too much for preschoolers, say the researchers, calling for long-term studies.

Stricter limits come from the USDA's Food Pyramid and World Health Organization. The USDA recommends capping added sugar at 6%-10% of daily calories. The World Health Organization advises getting less than 10% of daily calories from added sugar.

Want to limit kids' added sugar intake? Look beyond the cookie jar. Lemonade, 10% fruit juices, ice cream, pies, cakes, soft drinks, and sweetened cereals were also popular sources in the study.

They say that limitations of added sugar intake could result in higher, nutrient-dense diets.