Tiny Tastebuds, Big Decisions: Parents Should Know About Artificial Sweeteners
Friday 18th July 2025
When it comes to drinks, choosing what’s best for little ones can feel overwhelming. Sweet flavours are everywhere—especially in drinks marketed for kids. And while sugar-free might sound healthy, the use of artificial sweeteners means there’s more to consider.
When it comes to hydration and sweetness, it’s tempting to reach for sugar-free drinks for our little ones. But recent guidance—highlighted in a BBC report—suggests that it might be better to think twice.
What the experts are saying about artificial sweeteners:
The UK’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) now recommends avoiding drinks with artificial sweeteners—such as aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, or stevia—for preschool-aged children. Instead, plain water is the best choice to help kids develop a healthy palate and avoid dependency on sweetness
Why this shift matters:
Artificial sweeteners do help to reduce sugar intake, which is a positive step. But, giving these sweet drinks to children can reinforce a preference for sweet flavours, making it harder for them to appreciate natural tastes like water or unsweetened milk.
What the research suggests:
While some studies indicate that non‑caloric sweeteners may help older kids reduce sugar consumption, they often build on other dietary changes to be effective. Moreover, emerging evidence in adults links frequent consumption of artificially sweetened beverages to increased risks of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular issues.
What’s hiding in everyday squash?
Squash—and other cordials—are among the most commonly consumed children’s drinks. But here’s a surprise: many today contain artificial sweeteners, not just sugar. Ingredients like sucralose and acesulfame K are often used to keep them “low sugar” — yet they can still taste very sweet to kids. Worryingly, labels may say “no added sugar” but fail to mention NSS clearly, meaning parents can be inadvertently serving up high-sweetness drinks that go against SACN’s advice.
Why this matters for your toddler:
Sweet taste preference: Even no-sugar squash can reinforce a love for sweetness, making it harder for children to enjoy plain water or unsweetened drinks.
Uncertain long-term health impacts: SACN and the WHO have flagged that evidence on NSS and conditions like weight gain or cardiovascular effects is “concerning,” even if not definitive.
Label confusion: Parents often choose squash thinking it’s “healthier,” not realising that sugar-free labels can mask artificial sweeteners.
Smart swaps for sweet drinks
| Situation | Avacare Tip |
| Thirsty toddler | Stick to water, possibly jazzed up with frozen berries or a squeeze of citrus. |
| Out-and-about treat | Choose milk or look for “no sweeteners” squash varieties. |
| Habitual squash drinker | Gradually dilute the squash with more water until their palate adjusts. |
Avacare’s gentle message
We know it’s hard to watch your toddler sip plain water when everyone else is drinking something fruity. But breaking the sweet-pattern habit early helps bigger, healthier habits take root.
Simple routines—like always offering water first and keeping squash as a rare treat—can make a big difference. And if you’re ever unsure whether something contains artificial sweeteners, check the ingredient list or look out for “no sweetener” labels.
So, what should parents do?
| Simple Step | Benefit |
| Skip sweetened drinks | Avoids reinforcing sweet taste preference |
| Offer water as the default | Encourages a healthy lifelong habit |
| Limit sugar-free fizzy drinks | Even when they’re low-calorie, they aren’t needed |
Water doesn’t just hydrate—it helps little bodies learn to enjoy the simple, natural flavours that make a healthy diet sustainable for life. By choosing water over sweetness, you’re helping your child build healthy habits that’ll last a lifetime.
Our Child Multivitamin and Omega 3 and Baby Multivitamin contain no artificial sweeteners.
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