Children and adults alike love sweets, but it is well-known that a high-sugar diet is bad for both teeth and general health. When it comes to children, the majority of parents are worried that they are giving them too much sugar. While your baby needs some sugar, consuming too much sugar can lead to health problems, teeth cavities, diarrhea, and hyperactivity. Instead of feeding your baby unhealthy foods, the most important thing is to make sure he is getting the right amount of sugar.
Why Is Sugar So Dangerous to Health?
According to pediatric dentist Indianapolis IN, when children (and adults) eat sugar, their bodies react physically: the brain releases dopamine, a good-feeling chemical that can temporarily increase mood, and the body’s blood. Produces insulin to regulate sugar levels. Too much sugar, on the other hand, can cause insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes.
Pediatricians are also concerned about non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This deadly condition is on the rise, and is linked to a growing number of obese young people. When the liver stores too much fat, the disease develops. It can cause scarring and inflammation of the liver, cirrhosis, and possibly liver failure or long-term loss of function.
Sufficient Amount of Sugar
Sugar is known to have very low nutritional value. On the other hand, sugar is beneficial because it gives energy to your youth. Dentists and nutritionists recommend that a preschooler eat no more than three tablespoons of sugar each day. You can increase your child’s sugar intake to a maximum of eight teaspoons per day if he is young or old. You can control your child’s energy levels and encourage a healthy and happy lifestyle by making sure he uses the right amount of sugar.
Keeping a Low-Sugar Diet
The biggest concern for most parents is deciding which foods are safe to drink and which are high in sugar. There is no denying that many of today’s foods have sugar levels that are significantly higher than the recommended serving size for young people. As a result, the biggest thing you can do for your child is to limit the amount of processed and sweet foods he or she eats. Instead, you will want to provide your child with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Fresh Foods Should Replace the Snacks
Although organic fruit snacks and granola bars look healthy, they are sometimes filled with sugar in the form of syrups and other sweeteners. Instead of these snacks, keep fresh fruits on hand – bananas, apples and grapes are naturally sweet, delicious and healthy. Consider replacing fruit for a sweet treat after your child’s dinner – teens don’t need “treats” on a regular basis. A good rule of thumb is to choose foods that come in your packaging instead of cardboard.
Keep An Eye on Drinks
According to the pediatric dentist in Indianapolis IN sweet drinks make up about 40% of the sugar in baby’s diet and have low nutritional value. Gatorade, energy drinks, soda, sweet tea, and fruit “drinks” should be avoided with 90% sugar and 10% juice. Start with water or low-fat milk for sweet drinks during meals.
When It Comes to Packaged Goods, Choose Wisely
Many families use processed and packaged goods, such as morning cereals and snacks. If you are buying packaged or processed food, look for foods with less than 10 grams of sugar per serving. Even better, choose foods that contain the least amount of sugar possible. Containers that feature cartoons or movie characters on containers should be avoided as they target children and are usually high in sugar.
Keep in Mind 5-2-1-0
Santiago advises parents to use the 5-2-1-0 technique as a comprehensive guide to their children’s health on a daily basis. The translation is:
- 5 (or more!) Fruits and vegetables every day
- Time spent in front of the screen should not be limited to more than 2 hours.
- 1hour full exercise
- 0 Sweet drinks (fruit juice, sports drinks, or soda)
“A drink can contain a maximum of nine grams of sugar,” notes Santiago. “One of the most effective strategies for minimizing sugar in baby food is to eliminate soda and other sugary drinks.”
Another great way to reduce sweet snacks is to provide plenty of fruits and vegetables throughout the day. Fruits and vegetables are more nutritious and keep young people full longer, which not only lowers their sugar intake but also their calorie intake.
Avoid Developing a Sweet Taste
When it comes to solid meals, Kids Dentist Indianapolis IN advises against starting with the sweet things. “Their taste receptors won’t want those tastes as much if we don’t introduce sugar in excess from the start.” Remember that fruit is fine in and of itself! Nothing, however, has been sugared.
Other Approaches to Get Kids Interested In Eating Well Include:
Let them enjoy their food. They may be willing to touch and sniff objects and bite a little. If you do not succeed the first time, try, try, and try again. According to experts, it can take a young person 15-20 times to get ready to try a new food.
Take the kids with you to the supermarket. Let your kids pick a few nutritious fruits, vegetables and snacks to sample throughout the week. When children choose the items on their plate, they will feel prouder and will be inclined to try new foods.
Whole Grains, Fruits, and Vegetables
You can support a healthy diet and prevent your kid from becoming sugar-dependent by providing them with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. When your kid eats the correct meals, he or she receives a little quantity of sugar and foods that are high in the vitamins and minerals required for healthy development and living. Because youngsters might be finicky, simple fruits and vegetables like avocado, strawberries, blueberries, bananas, spinach, carrots, and potatoes are a good choice. Your youngster will learn to appreciate basic fruits and veggies if they are introduced to them early on, and will gradually progress to more difficult things.
A Treat Once in A While
It’s also a good idea to give your youngster a treat now and again. However, if you’re going to be stringent about your child’s sugar consumption, you may want to offer them treats that are still nutritious. The good news is that you can prepare your desserts at home using fruits and grains and natural sweeteners like agave nectar or genuine maple syrup instead of sugar. Overall, by assisting your kid in making the best decisions, you are promoting a healthy lifestyle for the future.
