Why Your Kids Need to Go Easy on the Sugar
By Genevieve Cunningham
It's definitely no secret that kids love sugar. Almost every food and drink that is targeted toward children contains high amounts of flavor and sugar. And of course, kids eat it up if we let them. While a little bit of sugar is probably OK, too much sugar may be seriously detrimental to their overall health. If you'd like to clean up your children's diet a little, take a look at these reasons why they may need to go easy on the sugar for better health.
For Weight Management
We don't really like to talk about children and weight management in the same sentence. But the truth is that weight management begins now. This does not mean that your children should be on a diet or that their calories should be restricted. It simply means that we should teach our children good habits. The better habits we teach them now, the easier it will be for them to maintain a healthy weight as they grow older. If you want your children to grow into healthy adults, teaching them good diet habits may make all the difference.
For Focus
Kids have a hard enough time focusing as it is. But add excessive sugar into the mix, and you have a real problem on your hands. Sugar tends to give children a little kick of energy. And this energy, without an outlet, can create problems with paying attention. If you find that your children just can't seem to focus, try cutting sugar, and see if it makes a difference in their ability to concentrate.
For Skin and Teeth
It's true that sugar can rot your teeth. But what many people don't realize is that sugar can also cause skin problems. Your children are inevitably going to want healthy teeth and clear skin. If you want to help them with this task, then limiting their sugar consumption is probably a good idea. This doesn't mean that they can never eat sugar. It simply means that their consumption should be monitored and limited to an appropriate level. If you're unhappy with your skin or teeth, you could also try limit your sugar intake, and you will probably notice an improvement in both.
Sugar is not necessarily the enemy, but it's probably not doing us any favors. And since sugar is addictive, the best way to combat its presence in our lives is to teach our children how to handle sugar at a young age. Teach them how to enjoy foods that aren't full of sugar, and teach them to eat sugar in moderate amounts. While it may take a little planning and a little research on your part, the effects on your children and overall family will be well worth the effort.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Glen Allen, Va.
