IRON MOUNTAIN -- How much sugar is your child consuming on a daily basis?
It might be a lot more than you think. Sixteen percent of the average American child’s diet is comprised of sugar. That's according to a report by the National Center for Health Statistics.
Cakes, high fructose corn syrup, molasses, all these processed sugars are finding their way into kid's diets. On average, boys consume about 350 calories per day from sugar alone. Soda is one of the main reasons these numbers are so high. There's a very high calorie content and a very high sugar content.
“We've tried to eliminate as much of the sugars as possible,” said Jenna Zwick. “Fresh fruits, fresh vegetables cut down dramatically on the carbohydrates.”
Most schools have been doing a good job about keeping kids healthy. Bishop Baraga Catholic School has a website where parents can browse the lunch menu and decide whether or not their kid should bring a bag lunch that day.
However, the study says that 66 percent of sugary foods are consumed at home. One parent tells me that healthy eating can go a long way.
“I notice a huge difference in their energy and their moods when we're eating a healthy meal at home,” said Tina Pickett.
Officials say to keep checking nutrition labels before you buy a food item.
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