A Query was placed on the group #pediatricianOnTheGo
The query was that if adding sugar in your kids milk a practice for you or not?

🥛 ➕🧊❓
And i was soooo glad to see that mossst of the participants opted as NO.
And a pat on the back for mommies who themselves were used to drinking milk with sugar since childhood or have a spouse who favors sugared milk YET they are stepping forward to change practices for their kids.

Adding sugar in milk is a simple NO-NO thing. Shakes made at home should be made with fresh fruits. Try that your kids adapt the taste/sweetness of natural fruits. However if addition is required, honey 🍯 may be used.
#pediatricianOnTheGo
#happyparenting
#letsRaiseThemTogether

Why not to give added sugar?

When your little one fills up on sugar-sweetened foods, they may have little or no space left for the nutritious options that their growing bodies require, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, meat and other lean protein. Also, too much sugar may also lead to two potential risk factors of excessive weight gain and development of cavities.

When sugar leads to obesity, it puts a child at risk for developing high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels and type 2 diabetes (where the body’s response to insulin is not regulated). Rapid increases or decreases in blood sugar levels can lead to sudden mood changes and even depression. Overweight and obesity are also associated with bone and joint problems and some forms of cancer.

How much sugar is okay?

Health authorities suggest limiting kids’ daily intake of sugar to 25 grams or less. The worst sugars are in processed foods, sports drinks, pop, desserts and fruit juice. Fruit juices are given by parents as a healthy item to kids where as in reality they have No nutritional value.

Sugar Alternative Snacks

If you present healthy options to your children when they are young, they’ll be more likely to eat healthy foods as they grow older. A few low-sugar snack options kids love:

• Apple slices with peanut butter
• Mandarin oranges
• Cheese and whole grain crackers
• Popcorn
• Hummus and whole grain pita bread
• Plain yoghurt with fresh fruit
• Dry fruits/nuts
• Cottage cheese
• Cheese on cracker
• Hard boiled eggs
• Fruit smoothie

Sugar Alternative Rewards:

Places where these candies are used as a means to the appreciate good behaviour/habits there instead of the candies you can introduce small toys, stickers to a chart, put marbles in a jar, or find other means to reinforce good behaviors.

In a nut shell:

Healthy eating for children can include some sugar. We all know that small amounts of added sugar brings enjoyment to eating. But since we also know that foods with naturally occurring sugars like fruit are nutritious and offer health benefits hence should be preferrred.  Offer meals and snacks that include healthy foods low in added sugars.  With a little creativity, there are many ways to help your child enjoy healthy eating with less sugar.