Do your kids have a sugar addiction? Need help in getting them to control their sugar intake?
Getting the sugar intake under control is important for health reasons as well as weight control.
Here are simple techniques you can use to help children cut down on their sugar consumption and put them on the road to looking and feeling great.
Stock cabinets and refrigerator with fruits and vegetables instead of chips, cookies, and candies. As the expression goes, “Out of sight, out of mind.”
Start your kids off with a good breakfast. This means having foods with more nutrition than a bagel or bran muffin, such as, for example, a vegetable omelet, oatmeal with chopped almonds, and fresh fruit.
Set a good example by not eating foods with sugar. This means eliminating any “diet” soft drinks and other processed, sugary foods as well.
Have pitchers of water available so your kids can drink this anytime. Have them handy so they’ll drink water rather than soda or other sweetened drink.
Know that occasional sweet treats are OK. Tell kids to savor their bites. Most of the pleasure of eating sweets comes from the first two bites. Moderation is the key-word.
Make sure kids get enough sleep. They need seven to nine hours per night. Adequate sleep gives them more energy and it decreases appetite and slashes sugar cravings.
Teach kids the value of staying active and exercising. When they are playing baseball, hiking or biking they are not as apt to want a piece of cake. Have healthy snacks when they are through, such as nuts or peanut butter sandwiches on whole wheat bread, carrot sticks, fruit, etc.
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To your good health and that of your family,
Lee Jackson
Home and Family Food Editor
