Can I give sugar to the baby?
We need sugar! It's a source of energy for our body and brain. Furthermore, it plays an important role in the proper functioning of vital systems . But be careful which sugar you offer your baby!
Even before birth, babies are familiar with sugar : it's present in the amniotic fluid . At birth, they'll encounter it in breast milk . Later, at the start of weaning, they'll find it in fruits and certain vegetables . So, sugar is something innate!
Natural sugars vs. added sugars
We find two types of natural sugars:
- Simple sugars (fast sugars): these are those that are quickly digested; they are found in fruits and some vegetables. They are, in a way, the fuel for our body.
- Complex carbohydrates (slow-release sugars): these are our energy reserves. They are found in starchy foods (rice, bread, pasta, etc.).
Then there are the added sugars:
This is the sum total of sugars that are added to our food (biscuits, yogurt, compote, etc.) and drinks (soda, juice, etc.) by the manufacturer, as well as the sugar we use for cooking.
Be careful about sugar consumption
It's no secret that we generally consume far too much sugar ! And yet it has an addictive potential as significant as alcohol or cocaine .
Furthermore, Time magazine points out that excessive sugar consumption, whether in children or adults, is associated with difficulties in learning, concentration, and memory. It also increases the risk of obesity.
Other research has shown that in children this also increases the risks of hypertension, liver disease and type 2 diabetes.
That's why it's strongly advised not to give babies added sugars before they are 12 months old. Ideally, even before they are 3 years old.
But avoiding sugar is becoming increasingly difficult because processed foods are very high in sugar! So how can we avoid this excess?
–> Avoid processed foods as much as possible and prepare homemade meals!
Photo: © Lune et l'autre
Do you want to know if your product contains sugar?
Here are its different names:
Glucose, Fructose, Dextrose, Maltose, Honey, Molasses, Brown rice syrup, Sorbitol, Corn syrup, High fructose corn syrup, Agave, Cane juice, Dextrin, Malt syrup, Sucrose, Table sugar, Palm sugar, Sucrose, Cane sugar, Icing sugar, Maple syrup, Caramel, Beet sugar, Brown sugar, Barley malt, Carob syrup, Brown sugar, Raw sugar, Galactose, Crystallized fructose, Coconut sugar, Fruit juice, Concentrated fruit juice, Sorghum syrup, etc.
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