Sugar and Health - ways to manage sugar intake

It's a kid's life…

When it comes to kids (and adults for that matter) excessive added sugar can make maintaining a healthy weight more difficult and increase the chances of tooth decay. We know that the fewer high added sugar foods kids eat, the better. But realistically, you’ve got to find a healthy balance that works for you and the kids in your life.  

How many serves of high added sugar foods such as soft drinks, confectionery and biscuits does your family (or the kids in your life) currently eat each day? Ideally, kids up to the age of 8 eat less than ½ a serve of added sugar  foods a day.

Sometimes...just not all the time

The Australian Dietary Guidelines has a category called discretionary (or sometimes) foods and drinks. Sometimes (discretionary) foods and drinks are recommended to have only sometimes and in small amounts. There are a wide range of foods that are in this category - they are usually high in additional energy (kilojoules) and low in nutrients the body needs. 

Sometimes foods typically contain high levels of saturated fats, sugars, salt and/or alcohol. Examples include cakes, biscuits, confectionery, chocolate, cream, potato chips, savoury and sweet pastries, mayonnaise and sugar sweetened beverages.

Want our top tips for kids lunch box snacks that may even impress their teachers? 

Check out this video from our expert dietitian & nutritionist, Lyndi Cohen.

Be mindfully nutritious

While food provides us with nutrition, we also eat for other reasons, and enjoying your favourite foods, eating socially and eating foods that bring you joy is also important. It’s important not to focus on just one food or one meal, but on your whole diet. It’s OK to have these sometimes foods in small amounts as part of a balanced nutritious diet and to enjoy them mindfully.

Sometimes we don’t realise how many of these foods we are choosing. It’s hard to change things that we don’t even know are happening! The first step to changing your habits is to notice them. Let’s get curious together. How often do you include high added sugar foods or drinks in your diet? Are you more likely to reach for foods with added sugar at certain times of the day, such as in the afternoon or while watching TV after dinner? Once you know where your starting point is, it can be easier to find the right strategies to use.

Keep an eye on your inbox

That’s all for today! Stay tuned for more tips, tricks, advice and insight to help you on your way to well:

• Simple steps to manage sugar intake. 
• Our handy video on sweet drinks.
• More expert based insights for your health journey.