Children who consume a lot of sugary foods are more likely to gain weight and are at risk of developing dental problems and diabetes.
Children eating a lot of sweets and drinking sugary drinks in moderation won't have a major impact on their health, but consuming them too frequently will be harmful. Consuming large amounts of sugar increases the risk of obesity and chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Gout, joint pain, and fatty liver disease can occur in overweight individuals due to excessive sugar intake.
Children who enjoy sweets are also more prone to oral health problems such as cavities and gingivitis. If left untreated, these conditions can lead to serious infections and other health consequences.
Consuming too much sugar also reduces the body's ability to absorb other nutrients. The empty calories from sugar also make children feel full quickly, easily leading them to skip other nutritious foods necessary for growth and development.
Sweeteners can accelerate telomere shortening. Telomeres are segments of DNA that protect chromosomes from harmful effects and prevent degeneration. The shorter the telomeres, the more impaired cell function and the faster aging occurs. Although this shortening process happens naturally during aging, excessive sugar intake has a significant impact.
Children who eat a lot of sweets are prone to weight gain and dental problems. Photo: Freepik
Parents should encourage their children to choose foods that are low in or free of sugar to develop healthy eating habits and prevent chronic diseases in adulthood.
The American Heart Association recommends that children and adolescents consume no more than 25 grams of sugar, or about six teaspoons, a day. This amount is equivalent to a small chocolate bar and less than a can of soda. Children under two years old should not have added sugar in their diet.
The simplest way to limit sugar intake is to prepare healthy meals at home, avoiding store-bought options. For example, replace sugary drinks, energy drinks, fruit juices, and sweetened tea with plain water or unsweetened varieties. Sweeten yogurt with berries, and encourage children to eat fruit directly instead of sweetened juices or smoothies. Choose unsweetened sauces, nut butters, and ketchup. Encourage children to drink plain water and whole milk instead of flavored milk for better health.
When buying food from the supermarket, parents should carefully read food labels and check the ingredient list for potential hidden sugar ingredients such as concentrated cane juice, corn syrup, raw sugar, and crystalline solids.
Some families often use sweets like lollipops, cakes, candies, and sugary drinks as rewards to encourage children to complete assigned tasks. This inadvertently leads children to believe these foods are tastier than others. Parents can reward their children with attractively presented salads, fish, etc., to motivate them without affecting their health.
Along with limiting sugary foods, teaching children to brush their teeth from a young age helps remove plaque and strengthen teeth. This helps them develop a habit of regular dental hygiene.
Bao Bao (According to Very Well Health, Healthline )
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