Sugar has become so routine in children’s diets that its presence often goes unnoticed. From breakfast cereals to lunchbox snacks and flavoured drinks, sweetness threads through the day in ways many parents do not actively register.

Health experts continue to link excessive sugar intake in children to rising obesity levels, early-onset type 2 diabetes and long-term cardiovascular risk. In South Africa, where lifestyle-related illnesses are placing increasing strain on the healthcare system, the impact of early dietary habits is becoming harder to ignore.

Much of the concern lies not in occasional treats, but in hidden sugars found in everyday foods marketed as convenient or even healthy. These products can push children well beyond recommended daily limits before the day is halfway through.

The World Health Organization advises both adults and children to significantly reduce their intake of free sugars, particularly those added during food processing. While policy measures may help at a national level, meaningful change still begins at home.

Reducing sugar does not require strict bans. Awareness, label-reading and small, consistent adjustments can reset taste preferences over time. The habits children form now will follow them into adulthood, and sugar’s true cost is often only paid years later.

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