You’ve probably noticed more “kid friendly” foods in your grocery store. Foods that are marketed toward busy moms and picky eaters. There are kids’ meals and toddler meals that are ready in minutes. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found these foods are not healthy and could be extremely unhealthy for kids.
The study researched 1,074 infant and toddler dinners, vegetables, cereals and snacks. The researchers found reported some interesting facts:
- 41 of 79 infant mixed grains and fruits contained added sugar.
- Seventy-two percent of 72 toddler dinners were high in sodium.
- Toddler dinners contained an average of 2295 mg of sodium per 1000 kcal (sodium 212 mg/100 g).
- Thirty-two percent of toddler dinners and the majority of toddler cereal bars/breakfast pastries, fruit, and infant/toddler snacks, desserts, and juices contained added sugar.
There was some good news found through the research. Among 657 infant vegetables, fruits, dry cereals, dinners and ready-to-serve items that combined mixed grains with fruit, all but two were considered low sodium. Over 80% of the 582 fruit, vegetable, soup and dinner items for infants had no added sugars.
Too much sugar and sodium is not good for anyone, especially kids. Childhood obesity is a real problem and these types of food definitely don’t help. This is a reminder to check the sugar and salt in foods you buy for your kids.
