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Kids and Ketchup
Can Children Eat Too Much?
By Donna Smith
"From a mom of a very, very picky eater, I would say pick your battles," says Rachel Thursby, a mother of two from Malone, N.Y. "If the only way to get him to eat his vegetables is to put ketchup on it, I say do it. On new things that you introduce, don't offer ketchup, and if [they] ask, make a face and say how disgusting that would be and change the subject."
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Are some ketchups better than others? "Absolutely," O'Shea says. "Ketchup can be high in sugar and/or salt. Be sure to check the label before you buy ketchup so that you can find the low-sugar and low-sodium versions. Inexpensive or 'generic' or store brands can contain even more sugar than some of the major brands out there. There are several options for ketchup with no added sugar or other fruit concentrate as a sweetener versus refined sugars. There are also several organic versions on the market."
O'Shea says to keep in mind that there is a very big difference between having a plate of fries smothered in ketchup as a meal and having a well-balanced meal of vegetables, grains and lean protein with a squirt of ketchup on the side. "There isn't a magic number or portion that is OK to eat – it depends on many things including overall diet, age, etc.," she says. "But remember that the key to an overall healthful diet is variety and moderation. As with most things related to making sure your child has a healthy diet, the most important thing you can do is achieve a good balance. If their diet is good overall, ketchup can be just fine."
