Artificial sweeteners have been around for more than a century, but today, it seems that they’re showing up almost everywhere: in snacks, sports drinks, and tons of processed foods. And just like sugar, kids are getting too much. In fact, more than one in 4 kids consumes artificial sweeteners on any given day. Although they may seem like a step up from sugar, you might be wondering, are artificial sweeteners safe for kids? In this episode, I sat down with Kimberly Gomer, a registered dietitian nutritionist with a master’s in nutrition who specializes in medical nutritional therapy. She has over 25 years of experience coaching clients for health and wellness and is currently the Director of Nutrition at Body Beautiful Miami. Gomer is also a well-known media expert who has been featured in leading media outlets including CNN Health, Fox News Health, and Prevention. Kimberly talks about how to spot artificial sweeteners on labels, the surprising foods they show up in, and what research is revealing about their safety. She also talks about ways to limit artificial sweeteners and sugar in your kid’s diet and dishes up healthy and creative snack ideas for kids. Welcome 2:34 Let’s talk about your story! 7:47 What’s the sugar problem with kids in the U.S.? 15:27 What are artificial sweeteners and how can we spot them on food labels? 17:53 What are some surprising ways they hide? 20:19 Are companies using artificial sweeteners more? 21:09 What are myths about artificial sweeteners? 25:08 Are there certain kids that should avoid them? 29:08 What are your best tips for limiting sugar and artificial sweeteners? 36:02 What are your favorite snack and treat ideas that use real food ingredients? 37:39 What should we be mindful of when it comes to artificial sweeteners around the holidays? LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW Kimberly talks about the Pritikin Longevity Center. Kimberly mentions that 16.2% of children ages 10-17 have obesity. Julie mentions non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Kimberly talks about Primal Kitchen ketchup. Kimberly mentions phenylketonuria (PKU). Learn more about Kimberly on BodyBeautifulMiami.com. Follow Body Beautiful Miami on Instagram. FROM OUR PARTNERS Kids Cook Real Food eCourse The Kids Cook Real Food eCourse, created by a mom of 4 and a former elementary school teacher, is designed to build connection, confidence, and creativity in the kitchen. The course includes 30 basic cooking skills, 45 videos including several bonuses, printable supply and grocery shopping lists, and kid-friendly recipes. The course is designed for all kids ages 2 to teen and has three different skill levels. More than 18,000 families have taken the course and The Wall Street Journal named it the #1 cooking class for kids. Sign up now for the Kids Cook Real Food ecourse and get a free lesson for being a “Food Issues” listener. Thrive Market Thrive Market is an online membership-based market that has the highest quality, organic, non-GMO, healthy, and sustainable products. From groceries, clean beauty, safe supplements, and non-toxic home products to ethical meat, sustainable seafood, clean wine, and more, Thrive Market is where members save an average of $32 on every order! Through Thrive Gives, every paid membership sponsors a free one for a low-income family. Join Thrive Market today and get 25% off your first order and a free gift.