Sugar, Ah, Honey Honey... You are my Candy, Girl, and you got me Lovin YOU! (The Archies)
Nice old song... but not the tune you should be singing if you are wanting to raise healthy children. Unfortunately, a recent study in Canada showed that over 50% of foods targeted towards toddlers and babies contained an excessive amount of sugar. "Excessive amounts of sugar" was defined as product or food providing more than 20% of its caloric value from sugar or a sugar variant. According to the the article that I read, 40% of products listed sugar - or some variant, such as corn syrup, cane syrup, brown sugar, or dextrose) - in the first four ingredients on the label. 19% listed sugar (or some variant) as either the 1st or 2nd ingredient.
Increased refined sugar consumption is linked with heart disease, hypoglycemia, adult onset diabetes, and weight problems. Some connect excessive sugar consumption to a reduction in immune responses, candidiasis, bowel problems, hyperactivity disorders, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and many other unhealthy conditions.
What I consider as the biggest crime is the fact that we establish and reinforce unhealthy habits in our young that lead to unhealthy practices as adults. What is the point in adding sugar to infant and toddler foods other than to create a demand and craving in the young child? Developing a craving for sweets in children only leads to high sugar food ingestion by adults.
Parents of children must guard against the urge to purchase food products that sound enticing to them, such as banana cream pie puree, or fruit juices that contain added sugars. READ THE LABEL. There is no need to purchase foods that contain added sugars. Children raised with tastes of healthy foods through their entire lives are more likely to eat healthy as adults. Teaching your children to eat healthy is one of the greatest gifts that you can give them. It will help them to avoid many of the diseases that plague adult Americans.
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Keith E. Biggs, DC
3617 E. Southern, Suite 8
Mesa, AZ 85206
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com
Office: 480-985-3334
Cell: 480-375-0068
we have every intention to raise Tessa healthy....I will hide all the gummy worms in my room!
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