Why More Mums Are Choosing Less Sugar - Not No Sugar

There’s a quiet but meaningful shift happening in kitchens, lunchboxes and shopping trolleys. More and more parents - particularly moms - are reassessing how much sugar their children consume. But this isn’t about cutting it out entirely. Instead, it’s a move towards less sugar - and choosing better forms of it when they do indulge.

At the heart of this shift is a growing sense of balance. It’s not being fuelled by fad diets or fear, but by the everyday realities of modern parenting: needing quick,
convenient options, wanting to raise healthy kids, and recognising that rigid food rules don’t always serve them well.

One of the voices helping guide this more nuanced conversation is Daniella Lagerway, a certified nutrition coach and mum of two. With years of experience
advising clients on practical health choices - and toddlers of her own - Daniella understands both the science and the lived experience of feeding a young family.
“Everything we consume, whether it’s a salad or a fizzy drink, is used by the body as fuel,” she explains. “But we tend to focus on food and forget about drinks.
Beverages matter - they impact hydration, energy, and overall health just as much.”

The challenge, she says, is that many drinks aimed at children are marketed as healthy, yet are still high in hidden sugars. Words like “fruit-based” or “natural” can be misleading, and that’s where parents often get caught out. Daniella’s approach is refreshingly realistic.

“I don’t believe in banning sugar or labelling foods as ‘bad’. That kind of thinking can lead to guilt or rebound habits. For us, it’s about balance - around 70 to 80% of the time we prioritise whole foods, water, and low-sugar drinks with clean ingredients. And the rest? That’s life. A slice of cake or party sweet is totally fine.”
Since becoming a mum, she’s become more conscious of labels, ingredients, and how she talks about food in front of her children.
“My girls love sweet things, just like I do,” she smiles. “So I don’t try to cut everything out - I just stay aware. When we do have juice or fizzy drinks, I try to choose ones with less sugar and ingredients I recognise.”

That’s where products like PURA’s Kids Juice Boxes come in - a refreshing option designed specifically for little ones. Made with natural fruit juice, no added nonsense, and just the right amount of sweetness, they’re perfect for lunchboxes, parties or days on the go. “They’re a lifesaver,” Daniella adds. “The girls think they’re getting a treat, and I know they’re getting something better.”To help families put this mindset into practice, Daniella shares what a balanced, family-friendly day of eating looks like in her own home - realistic, nourishing, and built around enjoyment as much as intention.Daniella’s Family-Friendly Day of Balanced Eating
Morning
“We always start with water first thing - sometimes with lemon for me, and something quick but nourishing.”
• Scrambled eggs on wholegrain toast
• Oats with banana and nut butter
• Yoghurt with berries and sunflower seeds
“It’s all about keeping energy up without a sugar spike, and starting the day off right.”

Mid-Morning Snack
Simple options to keep little tummies satisfied:
• Apple slices with almond butter
• Rice cakes with cottage cheese
• Small yoghurt pots
“These keep the kids happy without overdoing it on sugar.”

Lunch
A build-your-own “snack plate”:
• Wholegrain wraps
• Boiled eggs or grilled chicken
• Hummus, cherry tomatoes, cucumber sticks, and fruit
• PURA Kids Juice Box for a fun lunchbox drink
“It’s easy to assemble, toddler-friendly, and packed with nutrients.”

Afternoon Pick-Me-Up
“This is usually when we all need a little boost,” Daniella says.
On warmer days or for something fizzy, she keeps a can of PURA Soda on hand - one of the few drinks she feels good about sharing with the kids.
• PURA Soda (split between the kids or enjoyed solo)
• Homemade popcorn or pretzels
• Dried fruit or a few squares of dark chocolate
“It’s nice to have a treat that doesn’t undo your whole day. PURA has less than half the sugar of a normal fizzy drink and it’s made with cane sugar, not artificial sweeteners - so it still feels like a treat, but without the worry.”

Dinner
Quick, colourful meals for the whole family:
• Roasted chicken or veggie sausages
• Sweet potato wedges
• Steamed broccoli or green beans

Evening Snack
Light, sweet options before bedtime:
• Frozen banana ‘nice cream’
• Yoghurt with honey and chia seeds
• Homemade oat biscuits or a little fruitThis kind of approach - flexible, informed and not extreme - is becoming the new normal for many families. Rather than eliminating sugar entirely, more parents are
simply choosing less of it, and looking for options that prioritise real ingredients, natural sweetness, and transparency.

Drinks like PURA Soda and PURA Kids Juice Boxes fit that mould. With natural cane sugar, no artificial colourants or preservatives, and significantly less sugar than most sodas or juice blends, they’re part of a growing number of products that meet parents halfway - offering flavour without the overload.

“We always have a few cans and boxes in the fridge,” Daniella says. “The kids love the taste, and I love that I don’t have to say no. It’s a simple way to enjoy life and still feel like we’re making good choices.”

Because at the end of the day, balance is what makes healthy habits stick - and sometimes, the smartest choice isn’t the sugar-free one, but the one that simply
makes sense.

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