First of all, Grant gets to bring snack to school again tomorrow. This is what he chose. I wasnt given much notice by the teacher and it has been a crazy week so tonight we ran over to walmart at the last minute and I told Grant he could get whatever he wanted because I was just in one of those moods and it is kind of a special occasion. So we are going through the store and I am making all kinds of suggestions such as cookies crackers juice boxes, etc, etc, etc... I really just wanted to get the heck out of there. So this is what he chose and I am very proud of him. The Roarin' waters have 9g of sugar and the apples (even though they come with small cups of caramel for dipping) have 11g of sugar, but keep in mind that 7g of the 11g is natural sugar that comes from the apples. There for, this is a pretty low sugar snack!!!With that said some of you who know me know that I dont like Grant to have sugar. It is just not healthy. Most of the time Grant would rather have a piece of fruit opposed to a piece of candy. I dont know if that is just the way he is or if it is the good habits we have taught him, either way I dont really care. I love that he is 4 years old and when someone offers him a peice of candy he will turn it down. Dont get me wrong he is a normal little boy who does enjoy candy sometimes, but my thinking is out of site out of mind so, I dont buy sugar cereal, I rarely ever buy candy or cookies, we do not have juice in our house, he drinks milk or water. I try to only have good healthy things in the house to eat (for the most part, nobody is perfect).
Some people, like my dad and others, think I am weird or mean. I am trying to teach my child to be healthy and that fruit and veggies are just as good a snack as cookies and crackers. Hopefully these are habits that he can carry with him throughout his life. I want to share with you some of the reasons for doing this...
I googled the effects of sugar on children and came up with this. http://www.rheumatic.org/sugar.htm If you go to this site and scroll down to the bottom it has references to where this info came from. Honestly I dont know if all of these are true but it is something to think about.
***Sugar feeds cancer***
Sugar can suppress the immune system.
Sugar can cause hyperactivity, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and crankiness in children
Sugar contributes to the reduction in defense against bacterial infection (infectious diseases).
Sugar leads to cancer of the ovaries
*Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium
Sugar can weaken eyesight
Sugar can cause arthritis.
Sugar can cause asthma.
Sugar contributes to saliva acidity
Sugar can decrease growth hormone.
Sugar can increase cholesterol.
Sugar causes food allergies
*Sugar can interfere with the absorption of protein
Sugar lowers the enzymes ability to function
Sugar is enemy #1 of the bowel movement
Sugar plays a role in pancreatic cancer in women
*High refined sugar diet reduces learning capacity
Sugar is an addictive substance
The body changes sugar into 2 to 5 times more fat in the bloodstream than it does starch
In Intensive Care Units, limiting sugar saves lives
Sugar dehydrates newborns
*Sugar induces salt and water retention
Sugar causes constipation.
Here is another website I found http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/sugar.htm
The average American consumes an astounding 2-3 pounds of sugar each week, which is not surprising considering that highly refined sugars in the forms of sucrose (table sugar), dextrose (corn sugar), and high-fructose corn syrup are being processed into so many foods such as bread, breakfast cereal, mayonnaise, peanut butter, ketchup, spaghetti sauce, and a plethora of microwave meals
One of sugar's major drawbacks is that it raises the insulin level, which inhibits the release of growth hormones, which in turn depresses the immune system. This is not something you want to take place if you want to avoid disease.
And another http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T045000.asp
An overdose of sugar. Eating or drinking 100 grams (8 tbsp.) of sugar, the equivalent of two- and-a-half 12-ounce cans of soda, can reduce the ability of white blood cells to kill germs by 40 percent. The immune-suppressing effect of sugar starts less than thirty minutes after ingestion and may last for five hours. In contrast, the ingestion of complex carbohydrates, or starches, has no effect on the immune system.
Sugar sours behavior, attention, and learning. Studies of the effects of sugar on children's behavior are as wildly contradictory as a sugar-crazed four-year-old after a birthday party, but the general consensus is that some children and adults are sugar-sensitive, meaning their behavior, attention span, and learning ability deteriorate in proportion to the amount of junk sugar they consume.
Sorry to bore you with this obsession I have but this concerns me and these are some of the reasons that I limit my little love bug's sugar intake as much as possible.
4 comments:
I admire that you've been able to limit Grant's sugar intake. I've recently become much more strict with Alex's sugar intake, but I can't get his Daddy on board. Since we came home from vacation I told John "ALEX MUST NOT EAT SUGAR! THAT MEANS NO CANDY. NO EXCEPTIONS!" And a mere eight hours later, I caught John in the living room giving Alex candy corns!
I've learned recently, that you really have to read those labels. EVERYTHING marketed to kids is loaded with sugar! So I'm weaning him off of his usual stuff and trying to replace with healthier alternatives. He's so picky, that it is slow going, but we're already completely off white bread, he's eating the low sugar peanut butter (no jelly) and hasn't balked at the whole wheat pasta. He is a juice addict though, so I've switched to the Capri Sun waters with the exception of two times a day I allow him to drink a v8 fusion or a cup of 1/2 apple juice, 1/2 water.
Wow, this comment got long, but it just happens to be something I'm intensely dealing with right now! I'd love to see you post a sample menu of what Grant likes to eat in a day so I can get ideas for Alex!
One thing that is big at our house is that I just dont allow certain things in the house, like candy. You just have to quit buying it. And you are right the hard part is getting daddy on board. Jared loves licorice and lemonade (both loaded with sugar) He thinks because I am so strict that he can be leanient. Try to get John on board by doing a little research for yourself and discuss with him what you find out about the effects sugar has on kids. Some of my main concerns are the studies that show sugar directly effests the immune system and the ability to learn. Sugar actually effects your blood cells and other things as soon as 30 minutes after consumption, and can last more than 5 hours! CRAZY!!!
I will work on getting a menu!
I can totally tell you that the number one thing on your list, SUGAR FEEDS CANCER is the absolute truth. We learned that from our expieriences with Cory. Did you know thats how they test for cancer? They do what is called a P.E.T scan, by injecting surgar into your body and watching what it does, if there is cancer the sugar will go right to that spot and go crazy. Pretty sick huh? And also the thing about sugar suppressing your immune system is also very true. Good job Lauri for teaching Grant good habits, he will be so greatful to you later in life. Keep up the good work!
Wow, that is a lot of really good information. I really need to re-evaluate the way I feed my kids.
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