Our newborns are born without understanding the taste of sugar, but we as parents offer it to them in the hopes of making food more appealing so they would eat more of it. It’s not just about the flavour; once sugar becomes a regular part of their diet, it promotes addiction to consuming more of it.
However, sugar remains the most commonly utilized ingredient in our kitchens due to the excellent flavour it adds to our cuisine. It’s not just in our kitchens anymore, but the market is swamped with packaged junk meals and sugary drinks that make it difficult to look away. Our taste buds enjoy it, but when it reaches our stomach, our body begins to cry as it realises the pain it has caused.
Because it has zero nutrients, white sugar is commonly known to offer ‘Empty’ Calories. There are no lipids, vitamins, minerals, or protein – only calories!
Now we’ll discuss some common reasons why we should keep our children away from sugar and avoid it as much as possible.
1. High risk of teeth decay
Aside from preventing diabetes and heart disease in the long run, eliminating added sugars can save children from having to endure painful and expensive dental care. The constant consumption of sugary foods and beverages contributes to tooth decay. Dental disorders, if left untreated, can lead to dangerous infections
2. Leads to obesity
Recent studies have found a significant link between high sugar consumption and childhood obesity illnesses. Sugar has an impact on both hormones and the brain. Because of the addiction it causes, our children lose control over their food consumption, resulting in weight growth over time.
3. Loss of appetite
Children who are addicted to sugar demand more of the same foods. The natural flavour of actual fruits, veggies, and the goodness of our home-cooked cuisine pales in comparison to how sugar tastes. This indirectly leads to people consuming less actual foods and more junk foods, which are poor in critical nutrients required for body growth.
Here are some alternatives that can be used for sugar.
- Dates
- Honey
- Maple syrup
As a parent, it can be tempting to offer kids candy or other sugary treats as a reward or incentive. However, while kids certainly enjoy sweets, it’s important to aim to limit them so that kids don’t overdo their consumption of sugar. While delicious, the truth is that too much sugar can have adverse health impacts.