Should We Curb Sugar Cravings In Young Children?

It was just the other day that my friend and I came to a shocking revelation that candy taken on a regular basis is one of the worst things that can happen to children. We also realized that we need to curb the cravings for sugar in our young children to protect them from more serious health consequences in the future.  

Here are a few reasons why we need to curb sugar cravings in our young children; the apple of our eyes:

• There is a popular notion that candy or refined sugar provides energy, but it is far from the truth. The sudden burst of energy on eating a candy lasts just for a short while and then crashes. On the contrary it would be healthier to encourage the child to eat real food that would make them stronger, happier and healthier adults who would thank their parents for it.     

• Next I would say that nipping the craving for sweets and candies in early childhood is right because it provides a protection against tooth decays. I read a very revealing article in a popular parenting magazine that said that tooth decay in children started much earlier than they actually showed up. So even breast feeding or bottle feeding mothers should clean the gums of the child with a sterilized cotton wool after each feed. Also having candies when the child’s teeth were not strong meant the rotting of the teeth and no hopes for getting the teeth into good condition.    

• Craving for sweets and candy is normal in young children; however we as parents owe our responsibility to them to protect them from various lifestyle diseases that could strike them in future. One such disease is diabetes that is not only life threatening, but also the root to other diseases of the kidney and heart. Would we not be doing our children a great favor by asking them to eat candy in moderation and protecting them from diabetes and other lifestyle diseases? 

• Do you think that candy or sweets are real food? To the contrary they are not and it is best to introduce children to more healthy snacks and meals. Some of the healthy snacks that should be introduced to the child include fruits, dry fruits and raw vegetable salads. Parents owe it to their children to educate them about what healthy food choices are and how they can help their minds and bodies to grow healthy and strong.

• Are you surprised to know that eating too much candy is bad for the mind; candy has been found to make kids falter in school, pick up bad attitudes and moods and also give children headaches soon after they have them It is also significant to note that candies are also not good for the stomach; children have regular tummy aches that could also be an ulcer or even diabetes.

Do you still think you care and love for your child by giving him/her a candy; I am sure you would have second thoughts.