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Sugar Substitutes & Children

Most people think of aspartame when they think of sugar substitutes, but there are other ones on the market now, as well as natural alternatives to sugar that have been around for years. Sugar substitutes like artificial sweeteners can be appropriate in small amounts if you're trying reduce the sugar your children consume. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, sweetened foods, whether with natural or artificial sweeteners, are still usually low in nutrients and high in calories and are best consumed in limited amounts.

  1. Artificial Sweeteners

    • Artificial sweeteners are sugar substitutes that often have zero calories, such as aspartame, saccharin and sucralose. In spite of suspicions that they may cause health problems and even, in the case of saccharin, cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic, they are "generally recognized as safe (GRAS)" by the FDA. These sweeteners are also safe for children in small amounts. It is important to limit them because they are generally in foods and beverages like soda and sugar-free cookies or cakes, which have little nutritional value. Also, some parents may offer these products to their children if they think they should lose weight, which can start a cycle of self-consciousness and body image issues.

    Sugar Alcohols

    • Sugar alcohols are carbohydrates found in fruits and vegetables that can be used to sweeten products. They are not alcoholic. These sugars are mainly used in manufacturing, so they may be in processed products that you buy at the grocery store, such as chocolate, candy and frozen desserts. Again, these are safe in small amounts, but, according to the Mayo Clinic, they can cause bloating, gas and diarrhea. Alternatives for children include snacking on healthy, naturally sweet whole foods, such as fruits, instead of eating artificially sweetened products and risking these effects.

    High-Fructose Corn Syrup

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, high-fructose corn syrup is the most commonly added sweetener to processed foods. It is inexpensive to produce and is chemically similar to table sugar. The research is evolving, but so far high-fructose corn syrup appears to be no worse for you than regular sugar. That said, because it is in so many foods, and too much sugar of any kind is not good for children, limit the amount of sweetened beverages, sugary cereals and packaged cookies you purchase for your family.

    Natural Alternatives

    • Natural alternatives to sugar, such as honey, maple syrup and molasses, are safe to eat and have been eaten for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Some people prefer giving them to children, instead of granulated sugar, because they are unprocessed and have minerals and vitamins. However, your body treats these sweeteners the same as sugar, and there is not enough minerals to make a difference nutritionally. For children, these natural sweeteners are safe for occasional use, like sugar. According to the Mayo Clinic, they also contribute to tooth decay and weight gain if used in excess, so consume them sparingly. The exception is honey, which should not be given to children under 1 year old because of the risk of botulism.

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