Twenty-five grams sounds like plenty until you read a yogurt label. Here's the actual limit for kids, where added sugar hides, and how to budget for the treats (and vitamin pops) you do want to keep.
Written by Vita Globe Editorial Team | Reviewed against American Heart Association, CDC and pediatric dentistry guidance
How much added sugar should a child have per day?
The American Heart Association recommends children ages 2–18 have less than 25 grams (about 6 teaspoons) of added sugar a day, and that children under 2 avoid added sugars entirely[1]. U.S. dietary guidance similarly advises no added sugars before age 2 and less than 10% of calories from added sugars after that[2].
Caveat: These limits apply to added sugars, not the natural sugar in whole fruit or plain milk.
Sources: AHA statement 2017 · CDC: Added sugars · Verified 2026-09-28
In this article
What are the official added-sugar limits for kids?
| Age | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Under 2 | No added sugars[1][2] |
| 2–18 | Less than 25 g (about 6 tsp) a day (AHA)[1]; under 10% of calories (U.S. dietary guidance)[2] |
| All children (dental) | Sugars below 5% of energy to reduce cavity and weight-gain risk[3] |
The AHA also advises limiting sugar-sweetened drinks to no more than 8 ounces a week for kids[1]. The reasons are heart health, weight and teeth: added sugar is linked to cardiovascular risk factors in children[1], and frequent sugar exposure feeds cavity-causing bacteria[4].
Where does added sugar hide in a kid's day?
CDC data point to sugar-sweetened beverages as a leading source of added sugars, along with desserts and sweet snacks[2]. Some less obvious ones:
- Flavored yogurts and yogurt tubes
- Breakfast cereals and granola bars
- Flavored milks
- Ketchup, barbecue sauce and some pasta sauces
- Fruit snacks and “fruit” drinks (not 100% juice)
- Sweet vitamins — gummies and pops that aren’t sugar-free
Check the “Includes Added Sugars” line on the Nutrition Facts label, or the sugar line on a Supplement Facts panel.
How do you fit treats into a 25-gram budget?
Think of the 25 grams as a daily budget rather than a ban:
- Cut the invisible sugar first. Swap flavored yogurt for plain with fruit, and sweet drinks for water or milk. That frees up room.
- Keep the treats that matter to your family. A cookie after dinner or birthday cake is part of a normal childhood.
- Count vitamins honestly. A sweet vitamin is still a sweet thing. Read its label and count it in the day.
- Time sweet things with meals. Fewer separate sugar hits is easier on teeth[4].
Where does a vitamin pop fit?
A vitamin lollipop sits in an odd spot: it’s a supplement, but it looks and tastes like candy. Two practical rules help. First, it replaces a treat rather than adding to one — if your child has a pop, that’s the sweet thing for that part of the day. Second, it’s one a day, as the label directs, not an extra reward. For the dental side, see is vitamin C bad for kids’ teeth; for label-reading, our honest parent’s guide to healthy lollipops.
The honest summary
- Under 2: no added sugar. Ages 2–18: under 25 g a day.
- Drinks are the biggest lever; start there.
- Sweet vitamins count toward the total; read the label.
- Treats are fine in a plan; frequency and timing matter for teeth.
Our option
Vita Globe Vitalolli™ Vitamin C Lollipops
Vitalolli™ Vitamin C Lollipops deliver vitamin C in a slow-dissolving lollipop — one pop a day, in Orange and Mango flavors, sold in 5-count pouches. They are non-GMO and tested by an independent third-party lab. Check the Supplement Facts panel for the vitamin C amount and sugar content, follow the age guidance on the label, and always supervise young children with any lollipop. Count it as that day's sweet thing, not an extra.
Frequently asked questions
Is 25 grams of sugar a lot for a child?
It's the upper limit for added sugar the AHA recommends for ages 2–18[1]. A single can of regular soda typically exceeds it.
Does fruit sugar count as added sugar?
No. Sugar naturally present in whole fruit and plain milk isn't added sugar[2]. Juice is different: AAP limits it by age[5].
Can a toddler have a lollipop?
Hard candy is a choking risk for young children, and under 2 the guidance is no added sugar at all[1]. Follow the age guidance on any product and always supervise.
Are sugar-free treats better for kids?
They avoid added sugar, but may use sugar alcohols that can upset little stomachs in larger amounts. See what “sugar-free” actually means.
How do I cut sugar without a fight?
Start with drinks and breakfast, where swaps are easiest, and keep one planned treat so kids don't feel deprived.
Sources
- Vos MB, Kaar JL, Welsh JA, et al. Added sugars and cardiovascular disease risk in children: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2017;135(19):e1017-e1034. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000439
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Get the Facts: Added Sugars. CDC.gov (last reviewed April 2026). cdc.gov
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Policy on Nutrition and Dietary Counseling in the Pediatric Dental Setting. The Reference Manual of Pediatric Dentistry. Revised 2026. aapd.org
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health. Tooth Decay. Last reviewed September 2025. nidcr.nih.gov
- American Academy of Pediatrics. AAP Recommends No Fruit Juice for Children Under 1 Year. HealthyChildren.org. May 22, 2017. healthychildren.org
About the Vita Globe Editorial Team
The Vita Globe Editorial Team researches and writes our wellness content, working from peer-reviewed research, systematic reviews and guidance from bodies such as the NIH and the FDA. We cite our sources inline and update articles when the evidence changes.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or caring for a child.
