What can food rationing during World War II tell us about how to raise healthier babies today? A lot, according to a new study. Dr. Theresa Horton, pediatrician with Utica Park Clinic, spoke with News on 6 about the results of a new study, including how avoiding sugar during pregnancy and infancy may lead to a healthier life down the road.
TULSA, Okla. – Some research shows that restricting sugar consumption during infancy significantly reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases later in life.
“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.”
This interviewed aired on News on 6 at 4 p.m. You can find it online here.