They are parents themselves, apparently only want the best for their children and are happy to talk about it to anyone interested: so-called parent influencers. They use social media channels such as Instagram, Tik Tok or YouTube to make personal product recommendations. This type of personalized advertising is often about foods that are intended to appeal to families and children – because they are colorful and funny, promise fun to eat or are supposedly a healthy alternative.
13 foods to check for nutritional value
O Hamburg Consumer Center selected 13 foods promoted by high-reach influencers and took a closer look at the presentation and composition of the products.
The list includes, among other things: Breakfastsoft drinks, snacks and gummy bears. The conclusion is not very encouraging: Hamburg consumer advocates see grounds for criticism on several points.
Too much sugar in snacks between meals
Parents and influencers, for example, present chocolate or colorful gummies as snacks – which, however, are real sugar bombs: 100 grams of the sweet treat contain more than 50 grams of sugar. Freeze-dried strawberries are also recommended, which contain 47 grams of sugar per 100 grams. This means that they have around ten times more calories and sugar than fresh strawberries – and are not a healthy and practical alternative to fresh fruit.
O World Health Organization (WHO) and the German Nutrition Society (DGE) I recommend consuming no more than 10% of your daily energy from free sugar. This means that children aged 1 to 4 should consume no more than 30 grams of free sugar per day, and children aged 4 to 7 should consume no more than 39 grams.
“Free sugar” includes added sugar as well as that which is naturally present in syrups, honey or juices.
Sweeteners are not a good alternative
Suppliers of the products often explicitly advertise with claims such as “zero sugar” or “no added sugar”. However, these products are also not recommended. “Instead, they contain sweeteners that have no place in children’s diets. They lead to addiction to sweet foods,” write the Hamburg consumer advocates.
Some products are sweetened with concentrated juices or dates, which may seem healthier at first glance. However, this is not the case, because sugar is still sugar. In addition, such snacks have also influenced taste and preference for sweets.
Too much sugar can promote tooth decay, overweight and obesity. The risks increase with weight. Type 2 diabetes It is high pressurein the long term also for heart attacks and strokes.
Enriched with unnecessary vitamins
The two types of gummy bears advertised are not just candy, but… Dietary supplementswhich have been enriched with various vitamins. Children should not take dietary supplements without medical advice, as harmful overdoses can occur, says the Hamburg Consumer Advice Center. Most children are already sufficiently supplied with vitamins and minerals.
It costs money: 50 euros per kilo of fruit gum
Another point of criticism: “The prices of the food advertised are usually exorbitant.” The fruit gums advertised cost a good 50 euros per kilo – a multiple of what fruit gums normally cost. The base price of freeze-dried strawberries was around 250 euros per kilo.
Well-intentioned recommendation? In the end, it’s also advertising!
Consumer advocates from Hamburg advise: Households should generally remain critical and keep in mind that influencers often make money when they advertise products – even if this looks like a personal address or a well-intentioned recommendation.
Good thing for little ones: know what’s inside
- How much is in it? Our Nutrition Calculator calculates the percentage of sugar in the maximum limit that your child consumes with their favorite snack.
- Sugar alarm at breakfast: Stiftung Warentest has 110 Baby cereals undergone a nutritional test. Only 24 of them should end up in your bowl in the morning. Because most chocolate chips, honey popsicles or baby cereals are high in sugar and unhealthy.
- From baby food to fish fingers and chips: on our topic page Nutrition for babies and children You’ll find interesting facts and test results about many things little ones like to eat.