Remember the early 2000s sugar-free era? When popular culture told us healthy fats were the enemy, carbs should be demonized and every bland snack just needed a splash of Splenda? Yeah, we’ve moved on. These days, it’s not about cutting sugar completely—it’s about knowing the difference, building better habits and teaching our kids to reach for the stuff that actually fuels them.
Life’s full of sweet moments. Let’s help our kids enjoy them in a way that feels good—for their bodies and your peace of mind.
Natural Sugar
Natural sugars are found in whole, unprocessed foods—like fruits and veggies—and they come with fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that help the body break them down more slowly. That slower digestion means less of a spike in blood sugar and more of the steady, balanced energy kids actually need.
You’ll find natural sugars in everything we make at Little Spoon. Our meals and snacks are made with whole foods, which means your kid is getting the kind of sugar their body understands—paired with ingredients that support digestion, brain development and immunity.
Our Babyblends, Smoothies + YoGos contain 0g added sugar per serving. And yeah, there are hidden veggies in there too. We don’t use synthetic dyes or artificial colors, ever. We source non-GMO, USDA certified organic produce, tested against our best-in-class, EU-inspired standards for 500+ toxins and contaminants, like heavy metals, plasticizers and pesticides. Our commitment to trust, safety and quality starts at the seed, literally.
Refined Sugars
Ever heard the term “empty calories”? That’s refined sugar in a nutshell.
Refined sugars come from sources like sugarcane or sugar beets and go through heavy processing that strips away any natural nutrients. They offer quick energy but no real value—no fiber, no vitamins, just a fast spike and crash.
Where you’ll find them:
- Table sugar (baked goods, candy, soda)
- High-fructose corn syrup (processed snacks, condiments, soft drinks)
- Brown and powdered sugar (desserts, mass-produced pastries)
Sweet? Yes. Nutrient-dense? Not even close.
Added Sugars
Added sugar is exactly what it sounds like—sugar that’s added to food during processing or cooking. It doesn’t matter if it’s refined white sugar or maple syrup, once it’s added, it’s considered added sugar.
Like refined sugars, added sugars contribute calories without nutritional value. You’ll find them in:
- Flavored yogurts and drinks
- Cereal, granola bars and snack foods
- Dressings and sauces made with honey or syrup
Keep an eye out for ingredient names like syrup, nectar, cane juice and anything ending in -ose. That’s your added sugar, hiding in plain sight.
Artificial Sugars
Artificial sweeteners are synthetic sugar substitutes. They offer sweetness with little to no calories and zero nutritional benefit. Some are derived from natural sources, others are lab-made—but all of them show up in highly processed products.
The usual suspects:
- Aspartame (often found in diet sodas)
- Sucralose (aka Splenda)
- Stevia + Monk Fruit (used in sugar-free snacks and drinks)
You won’t find over 100 artificial sugars, sweeteners, synthetic colors, dyes, preservatives or other no-thank-yous in any of our meals or snacks. Check out our No-No List to see for yourself. Our commitment to clean, high-quality ingredients means we work with farms and partners who understand that how something “grows” matters. Learn more about our standards here.
When it comes to sugar, it’s okay to play favorites.
Natural sugar takes the crown. It comes with the good stuff—vitamins, minerals, fiber—and helps build real habits that stick. Instead of hiding labels or creating fear around certain foods, let this be a chance to teach your kid what nourishment actually looks and tastes like.
Our commitment to you: we’ll keep things easy, ingredient lists readable and nutrition where it should be—up front. Because when food is made with real stuff, there’s nothing to hide.
