The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is affirming the important role sugar can play in improving the quality of a child’s diet.
In its newest guidelines, the AAP urges schools and families to take a broader approach to nutrition, considering children’s whole diet pattern—rather than the amount of sugar and other specific nutrients in individual foods.
AAP notes that it has been “well established” that sugars can increase the palatability and desirability of foods and cites flavored milk as a good example of the balance needed to limit added sugars and yet promote nutrient-rich foods.
The policy statement also emphasizes that a review of the evidence failed to find a causative connection between sugar consumption and type 2 diabetes mellitus, heart disease or behavioral disorders.
Visit www.sugar.org.