- Ultra-processed foods make up nearly half of toddlers’ calories
- Flavoured yoghurts and cereals are common ultra-processed toddler foods
- Toddlers eating more ultra-processed foods risk lifelong unhealthy habits
Ultra-processed foods account for almost half of a toddler’s total calorie intake each day, latest research has revealed.
Scientists from University College London (UCL) have found that flavoured yoghurts and wholegrain breakfast cereals are among the foods that make up most of a toddler’s diet.
By the time most children reach the age of seven, 59% of their calorie intake is from ultra-processed foods, the study has reported.
During the trial, the team of academics assessed 2,591 children from the UK who were born in 2007 and 2008.
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The parents, or carers, of these children recorded the food and drink intake of the toddlers for three days.
They found that flavoured yoghurts and wholegrain breakfast cereals were the most common ultra-processed foods consumed by the toddlers.
Meanwhile, sweet cereals, white bread and puddings were the most common ultra-processed foods consumed by seven-year-olds.
First author Dr Rana Conway said: “Ultra-processed foods are not all bad for our health and the foods typically eaten by the toddlers in our study are ones that are seen as quite healthy.
“However, some wholegrain cereals and flavoured yoghurts have high levels of added sugar and salt, and our study found that toddlers who consumed more ultra-processed foods also had a higher intake of these ingredients.”
Dr Conway added: “This is concerning, especially as toddlers in general consume more added sugar and salt than is recommended.
“Aside from sugar and salt, a diet that includes a lot of ultra-processed food is less likely to get children used to the natural flavours of whole foods and therefore less likely to encourage healthy eating later in life.”
According to the study, the toddlers with a high intake of ultra-processed foods at 21 months were at higher risk of eating these foods at the age of seven. Ultra-processed foods tend to be high in salt, fat and sugar.
Corresponding author Professor Clare Llewellyn said: “Eating patterns in the early years are important, as they help set habits that can persist through childhood and into adulthood.
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“This was reflected in our findings, with 21-month-olds who ate more ultra-processed foods also likely to be higher consumers of ultra-processed foods at the age of seven.”
Ultra-processed foods include biscuits, crisps, sausages, industrially made sliced bread and carbonated drinks.
Dr Conway said: “It’s not easy to feed children healthily in our current food environment. Highly processed foods are often cheaper than the foods parents would like to give their children, such as fresh fruit and vegetables.
“Also, despite labels suggesting they’re a healthy choice, ultra-processed foods marketed for children often contain too much sugar and salt. This makes it harder for parents to make healthy choices.”
The study has been published in the European Journal of Nutrition.
