Parents often keep a close eye on sugary desserts and sweetened beverages, but neuroscientist and nutrition expert Dr. Nicole Avena says everyday snacks may be another major source of added sugar in children’s diets.
Family enjoyment
As families enjoy a season filled with road trips, summer camps, sports tournaments, pool days, vacations, and backyard gatherings, Crispy Green®, maker of Crispy Fruit®, encourages parents to take a closer look at the foods children reach for between meals and consider Crispy Fruit® as a simple, fruit-based alternative with no added sugar.
To help families make more informed choices during summer snacking season, Crispy Green® has partnered with Dr. Avena, author of Sugarless: A 7-Step Plan to Uncover Hidden Sugars, Curb Your Cravings, and Conquer Your Addiction, to share practical guidance for navigating months when children are often eating on the go.
Research shows that snacking is already a regular part of children’s diets. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 93% of children and adolescents consume at least one snack on a given day. Meanwhile, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that nearly one-third of children ages 1 to 5 did not consume fruit daily during the preceding week.
“Many parents focus on sugar in desserts and sweetened beverages, but added sugars can also show up in snacks that seem healthy or are marketed specifically to children,” said Dr. Avena. “When children are snacking multiple times throughout the day, those sugars can add up quickly. Summer often brings even more snack occasions, which makes it an ideal time for families to look closely at ingredient lists and choose foods made from simple, recognizable ingredients.”
