Snacks, Smiles and Taste Preferences

Downshifting Sweet Preference and Added Sugar Intake During Snacking

The research study is designed is to determine whether children's acceptance of low sugar snacks, most preferred level of sweet and salty taste, and dietary intake of added sugars changes after repeated exposure to snacks lower in sweetness when compared to the control group.

This is a longitudinal, randomized, within- and between- subject study of children and their mothers to determine whether children's repeated exposure to snacks lower in sweetness and mothers' educational lessons about dental health and nutrition (intervention group) affects children's acceptance of low sugar snacks, most preferred level of sweet and salty taste, and dietary intake of added sugars when compared to the control group.

Inclusion Criteria:

• English speaking mother 18 years or older
• Mother has primary responsibility for the eligible child's care
• Mother has primary responsibility for feeding the eligible child
• Mother is responsible for purchasing food for the family
• Mother must be willing to refrain from eating food and beverages high in added sugars in the eligible child's presence for the duration of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Child is in full-day daycare or school
• Child is currently on a special diet (e.g. weight management programs)
• Child has severe food allergies (e.g. gluten, peanuts)
• Child has medical conditions know to affect growth or eating (e.g. diabetes, cystic fibrosis)
• Mother is a current smoker