Are Your Kids Eating Too Much Sugar?
All moms are acutely aware of the impact sugar can have on our kids – the sugar rush they get after stuffing their little faces with party food is a clear sign! And while we all try to limit a number of candies and chocolates we give them, the simple truth is that controlling sugar intake is a lot harder than you might think.
Given the average child is consuming something in the region of 50 pounds of sugar every year, it’s something we all need to bear in mind. In today’s guide, we’re going to go through some of the problems we are all encountering with our children’s sugar consumption, and reveal a few ideas on how to change things. Let’s take a closer look.
The problems
Simply put, there is sugar in the vast majority of products we buy from the grocery store. And even if we control the number of candies and chocolate we give to our kids, it can be incredibly difficult to limit.
There are massive amounts of sugar in bread products, breakfast cereals, and soft drinks – most of which are staples of your pantry. Plus, of course, there is naturally occurring sugars in fruit, vegetables, juices and much more besides.
The health issues
Primarily, of course, we should all be concerned about the state of our children’s teeth. Regular visits to a pediatric orthodontist are essential for your child’s oral development, of course. But we also have to take some responsibility to ensure our kids don’t suffer from cavities, decay, and gum disease.
But sugar is also an issue when it comes to the growing levels of obesity in the country. And it’s also a problem because too many sugary products can often lead to the development of Type 2 Diabetes.
Ultimately, if you want your child to have a long and healthy life, it’s vital that we all make ourselves aware of the amount of sugar out children have on a daily basis.
What we can do
As parents, it’s vital to understand how much sugar is in each serving of every product we give to our kids. It’s a daunting prospect, for sure, but once you get into the habit of reading ingredients lists and checking for sugar levels, it won’t be long before your eyes start to open.
Little things like getting rid of sugary cereals and sugared yogurt products can help instantly, and it’s also important to encourage kids to drink water instead of fruit juices and cordials. In fact, the damage caused by sugary candies and chocolates isn’t really the problem – it’s something most responsible parents limit anyway. It’s the common products with ‘hidden’ sugars that are the main issue.
Savvy parents also understand that you have more control over the sugar – and salt – that you consume by cooking your own meals. When you create fresh food for lunch and dinner, you don’t need to rely on the preservative aspects of sugar – or any other preserving chemical or substance, for that matter. Ultimately, cooking meals and eating as a family is one of the best things you can do to reduce your family’s sugar intake. So, the big question is; why not give it a go?
