Oklahoma doctor recommends cutting sugar for babies to lower risk of chronic diseases

Some research shows that restricting sugar consumption during infancy significantly reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases later in life

Dr. Theresa Horton with Utica Park Clinic points to an observational study conducted during World War II in the United Kingdom, when sugar was rationed.

“It was a very interesting observational study looking at women who are pregnant and the children in the first few years during World War II in the UK, because during that time sugar was rationed,” said Dr. Horton. “There was a significant decrease in sugar intake down to the levels of what's recommended, like six teaspoons a day.”

The study followed those individuals as they aged.

“They showed that there was a 30% decreased risk in diabetes and about a 25% decreased risk in high blood pressure … just based on that difference of what happened during pregnancy and in the toddler years.”

Dr. Horton recommends parents avoid added sugar completely for babies under age 2 and limit it during pregnancy.

“That’s my same advice for everyone, but from pregnancy to the first two years, this study is suggesting that it's even more important during that time— to severely limit added sugar,” she said. “Natural sugars from fruits are fine and those are very healthy.”

Parents can use the nutrition facts label as a tool.

“It will tell you the grams of added sugar. And you want to keep that ideally to none in the first two years of life and very little in pregnancy.”

Even if parents haven’t followed these guidelines early on, Horton says there’s still time to make a change.

“There is always time to improve habits,” she said. “It's much easier to replace one sugary or ultra-processed snack a day with a piece of fruit and then to step it back. Replace juice or soda with water, you know, one a day.”

Early sugar habits may have lasting effects well into adulthood.

“You're establishing your child's healthy habits from the moment of conception and especially in these first few years,” Dr. Horton said. “Children who didn't eat sugar when they were little ate significantly less as adults as well.”