Kids eat and drink 3.6st of sugar a year

156 cans of fizzy pop, 208 bags of sweets and 260 biscuits per child

SNACKING on sweets, biscuits, chocolate and fizzy drinks means the average child will consume 3.6 stone of sugar every year.

A survey found that despite youngsters enjoying more healthy snacks, the typical six to 11-year-old still consumes 156 cans of fizzy drink, 208 bags of sweets, 260 biscuits, 208 chocolate bars and 260 packets of crisps a year.

Children also eat 260 bowls of sugary cereal, 208 glasses of fruit juice and 208 bits of cake.

These treats add up to around 63 grams of sugar a day – equivalent to 5,738 sugar cubes a year.

This is more than double Public Health England’s daily recommended maximum intake of five to six sugar cubes (24g) per day.

Yoghurt firm Arla Explorers commissioned a poll of 2,000 parents. More than half admitted to not being on top of their youngster’s sugar intake.

And 33% worry about the number of goodies their children receive when they are with their grandparents, while 33% admitted giving their children treats as a reward. Rhiannon Lambert, nutritionist, said: “Providing kids with healthy snacks can sometimes be a minefield for parents who may often make the assumption that their child’s preference is for sugar.

“Kids do enjoy simple and natural snacks, especially when given a choice.” Arla Explorers also led a behavioural experiment where children were tasked to pick a snack from two tables. One was full of nutritious and healthy foods, and the other more unhealthy offerings such as crisps and chocolate. And 80% chose a healthier option such as strawberries, watermelon, apples and carrots.

Anjula Mutanda, a TV psychologist, said: “It’s really interesting to see children choosing healthier options over unhealthy as this isn’t something we as adults would always expect.”

DAME Helen Mirren shows off her spotless complexion while going dotty about a range of cosmetics for “mature women”.

The star, 74, wearing a polka dot dress, was promoting L’oreal’s Age Perfect make-up in Beverly

Hills. London-born Helen enjoyed a joke with fellow brand ambassador and actress Viola Davis, 54, during the photoshoot.

Judging by how good the pair look, the range may be the next thing emptied from our shops.

MADE UP Helen & Viola