Sugar Addiction. A Parent's Role
Breaking a sugar addiction can be a though challenge.. Even more so if you are trying to break off your children’s addiction. Children are at the age where they need all the nutrients they can get. Eating a lot of sugary snacks do not replace the nutrients needed to grow well and stay focused.
According to the American Diabetes Association, over 190,000 Americans under the age of 20 were diagnosed with diabetes type 1 and 2 between 2011—2012. Children that are addicted to sugar may experience the symptoms such as lethargy, dizziness, excessive sweating, overweight, diarrhea, skin problems and allergies. Since parents are the decision makers when it comes to grocery shopping, it is your responsibility to prevent your child’s addiction to processed. Here are a few ways ideas to help you;
Serve breakfast. Make sure your child does not skip breakfast. Avoid buying sugary cereal and serve protein instead. Breakfast should be eaten with an hour of waking so blood sugar levels don’t drop. A meal filled with protein will give your child the much needed boost they need to get them through the day.
Pack lunch for them. Pack them a meal full of protein for lunch. These could be cottage cheese, poultry, lean meat, eggs or nuts. Once they are old enough to help in the kitchen, include them in the preparation process and share with them the nutritional value of the food they eat and why their body needs them.. Children are curious by nature and getting them involved is a way to empower them through nutrition.
Fill your children’s time with activities. Organize family outings where all of you go jogging or cycle together. A healthy lifestyle will reduce their craving for sugary treats.
If your children would like to snack, fill your kitchen up with fruits. Fruits and berries are naturally sweet and contain vitamins, antioxidant and fiber. Fruits like peaches, pears, apples, oranges, apricots, mangoes and dates don't tend to cause sugar level spikes.
Choose whole fruit rather than fruit juices to ensure you get the benefit of the fiber.
Lastly, remember that you have to set a good example on your children. It would not do any good to try and restrict your children’s diet when you yourself are eating sugary treats. So be a good role model for your children. Break the sugar addiction before it gets worse!
