Generally, natural sugars such as raw honey, Grade B maple syrup, blackstrap molasses, coconut sugar, monk fruit, and stevia are more acceptable. These sugars occur naturally (which means they’re not processed or refined through chemical processing), and they may have some health benefits.

These natural sugars also have slightly lower glycemic effects than processed sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup, white cane sugar, or agave nectar.

Yes, raw honey is natural and has a few health benefits, such as a higher vitamin and mineral content and antimicrobial power. And it has been considered a healing food for thousands of years. But sugar is still sugar, no matter where it came from. 

“Natural” means it comes from a cleaner source and it does not mean free-pass. In fact, many natural substances are toxic to humans, such as poison ivy, cyanide, arsenic, poison mushrooms, botulism, and snake venom.

Our ancestors also ate these real natural sugars, but they didn’t have these sugars available to them 24/7. Things like raw honey, maple syrup, and even fruits were only available occasionally, not something our ancestors ate on a daily basis.

Even though these real sugars have a slight health benefit edge over processed sugars, eating loads of them can still be as damaging as any sugar, such as insulin resistance, hormone imbalance, mood swings, energy dips, and sugar cravings. 

The American Heart Association recommends an “added-sugar limit” of no more than 100 calories per day (about six teaspoons or 24 grams of sugar) for most women and no more than 150 calories per day (about nine teaspoons or 36 grams of sugar) for most men. 

For kids, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends less than 24 grams (about 6 teaspoons) of added sugar per day for children 2 years of age and older and avoiding food and drinks with added sugar to children under 2 years of age.

First of all, why does AAP allow a 2-year-old to have as much sugar as a grown adult?

The average child eats and drinks much more added sugar than he should. On average, sugar makes up 17% of what children consume each day. Half of that comes from drinks with added sugar.

There’s no nutritional need or benefit that comes from eating added sugar. There’s no good or bad “added sugar,” only “bad.” Avoid as much as possible. 

My recommendation? Keep it under 10grams per day for the little ones. 

These are not food. It’s chemical, so don’t eat it or give to your child. 

New studies show that artificial sugar, ie Equal, Nutrasweet, Splenda, Sweet n Low, and acesulfame potassium, contribute to sugar cravings, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. 

• Drink water, unflavored sparkling water, and brewed tea. Water is the official sports drink from mother nature. Say no to soda, sports drinks, sweet tea, sweetened coffee, and fruit drinks. 
• Avoid food and drinks with hidden sources, such as “added sugar” in processed food like ketchup, frozen meals, dried fruits, salad dressing, and baked beans.
• Eat whole fruit for dessert or a sweet treat. That’s what our ancestors did. 
• Limit all fruit juice include 100% organic ones. The AAP recommends no more than 4 ounces of 100% fruit juice a day for children ages 1 through 3 years; 4 to 6 ounces for children ages 4 through 6; and 8 ounces for children ages 7 through 14. Do not give fruit juice to infants under 1 year old. You don’t have to give your child juice. It’s not necessary. 
• If you really need to sweeten your food or drinks, use Stevia or Monk fruits. These are natural sweeteners that do not raise blood sugar levels. 

That’s it…

I hope you find this information helpful. Let me know what you think and comment below.

Remember ADHD does not doom your child to a life of under-achievement. You know your child is bright, full of potential, and deserves the best. In fact, many of the world’s most significant discoveries and inventions were made by people with ADHD.

I helped my crazy wild child who couldn’t read or write when she was little, overcome her learning difficulties and become a merit scholarship student majoring in premed at Loyola Chicago University.

So don’t give up; everything is possible.

PS: Before you go, remember to download your Free 15 Quick and Simple School Day Breakfast Ideas for Kids with ADHD

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