Starting your child’s morning off with a healthy breakfast is important for their growth and development.

However, some breakfast foods that are marketed to kids are packed with sugar, which can lead to health problems like obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay. Here are 10 breakfast foods with shocking amounts of sugar that you should avoid giving to your kids.

Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal

Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal is a popular breakfast choice for kids, but it contains a shocking 9 grams of sugar per serving.

That’s the equivalent of two teaspoons of sugar! Plus, many kids pour multiple servings into their bowl, which means they’re consuming even more sugar. Instead, opt for a lower-sugar cereal like Cheerios with fresh fruit added for sweetness.

Pancakes with Syrup

A stack of pancakes with syrup may seem like an innocent breakfast choice, but it can contain up to 38 grams of sugar, depending on the brand of syrup.

That’s more sugar than a kid should consume in an entire day! Give your child’s pancakes a healthy makeover by using whole-grain flour and topping them with fresh berries and a sprinkle of cinnamon instead of syrup.

Pop-Tarts

Pop-Tarts are a convenient breakfast option for busy families, but they’re also loaded with sugar. Just one frosted strawberry Pop-Tart contains 16 grams of sugar.

That’s almost as much sugar as you’d find in a candy bar! If your child needs a quick breakfast on the go, try a homemade breakfast sandwich with an English muffin, scrambled egg, and cheese.

Flavored Yogurt

Yogurt is a healthy breakfast choice, but many flavored yogurts have added sugar. Some yogurts can contain up to 25 grams of sugar per serving.

That’s more than an entire day’s worth of sugar for a child! Choose plain Greek yogurt and sweeten it naturally with fresh fruit and a drizzle of honey.

Waffles

Waffles may seem like a breakfast staple, but many store-bought waffles have added sugar. One Eggo waffle contains 3 grams of sugar, but many kids eat two or three waffles in one sitting.

Try making homemade waffles with whole-grain flour and sweetening them with pure maple syrup instead of artificial syrup.

Chocolate Milk

Chocolate milk is a popular breakfast beverage for kids, but it’s also high in sugar. One cup of chocolate milk contains around 12 grams of sugar.

This may not seem like a lot, but if your child drinks chocolate milk every day, the sugar can add up quickly. Instead, try offering plain milk or a fruit smoothie for breakfast.

Fruit Juice

Fruit juice is often marketed as a healthy choice, but it’s also high in sugar. One cup of orange juice contains around 22 grams of sugar.

Drinking too much fruit juice can also lead to tooth decay because it’s acidic and can erode tooth enamel. Try offering your child a piece of whole fruit instead of juice for breakfast.

Donuts

Donuts may be a trendy breakfast choice for kids, but they’re also one of the worst breakfast foods in terms of sugar content. One glazed donut can contain up to 12 grams of sugar.

That’s almost as much sugar as a can of soda! If your child loves baked goods, try making homemade muffins with whole-grain flour and fresh fruit.

Granola Bars

Granola bars are marketed as a healthy breakfast or snack option, but many brands are loaded with sugar. One Nature Valley granola bar can contain up to 11 grams of sugar.

If your child needs a quick breakfast or snack, try offering a handful of nuts and dried fruit instead of a processed granola bar.

Coffee Drinks

Coffee drinks like lattes and mochas are a popular choice for busy parents who need a caffeine boost, but they’re also a source of hidden sugar.

A medium mocha from Starbucks contains around 35 grams of sugar – that’s more than a can of soda! Try making your own coffee at home with a splash of milk and a sprinkle of cinnamon for flavor.