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Sugar and Your Child
ShareIt’s not a new flash nor a myth that too much sugar is bad for your children. What is astonishing however, is just how much children eat of it despite the many health warnings.
Most parents have no idea how much sugar their child eats in a day. These days so much is added to foods, that even if your child looks like they are eating a balanced and healthy diet, the sugars are still there, lurking in the background.
Sizing up Sugar
Foods that are high in added sugar are also called empty calories. This means they are a food with very little nutritional content but very high in calories. These foods include:
- Cookies;
- Cakes;
- Frozen desserts;
- Soft drinks;
- Some fruit drinks;
- Lollies
- Ice cream
The key to keeping sugar consumption in check is moderation. Added sugar can give taste to some foods and a little added sugar, particularly if it’s in a food that provides other important nutrients, will not tip the scale. It is also very important to be aware of the amount of processed foods your child is eating. It is generally these foods with the highest amount of sugar added.
Instead of serving foods that are high in unnecessary sugar, offer healthier choices, such as fruit, carrot sticks dipped in mashed avocado or hummus. A naturally sweet carbohydrate containing food is a much better choice than a highly processed, high sugar content food.
A Healthy Diet and Your Children
Making sure your kids get a balanced and nutritious diet isn’t as daunting as it may seem. Simply by making good choices, you can turn your child’s die around from average to good. Some suggestions to making healthier choices include:
Include whole grains:
- Fruits
- Vegetables;
- Dairy products;
- Fish
- Poultry
- Meat;
Limit foods containing added sugar and encourage your children to increase their activity levels eery day. Your kids learn from you, so be a good role model. Adapt healthy habits which lead from childhood into adulthood.
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Children's Health
