(HealthDay News) -- Too much sugar in a child's diet can contribute to weight and dental problems.

The Baylor College of Medicine offers these suggestions for limiting the amount of sugar your child gets:

• When baking, cut sugar down to two-thirds of what the recipe says.
• Sweeten cookies and other baked goods with dried fruits instead of candy or chocolate.
• Instead of offering your child a muffin or a doughnut for breakfast, serve a bagel.
• Serve natural, unsweetened fruit juice instead of sodas or other sugar-laden beverages.
• Save candy for a special treat. Only allow your child candy once or twice a week.

Copyright © 2009 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.