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Learn effective strategies to Get Kids Off Sugar and reduce your child’s sugar intake and improve their health. Discover keto-friendly alternatives and tips for a smooth transition
How to get kids off sugar
I wanna give you a quick tip on how to get kids off of sugar .
An average child consumes 66 pounds of added sugar every single year .
That’s added sugar .
That’s not even talking about the the breads , the pasta , the cereal , the crackers , the , you know , the hidden sugars that people don’t realize .
This is added sugar .
Sugary foods to avoid
You know , you have sweetened milk , sweetened chocolate milk , sweetened tea , fruit juices , sodas , sport drinks , vitamin drinks .
It’s in so many things .
Not to mention ketchup , sauces , breaded meats , chicken fingers , you name it .
So here’s the goal .
Kids and sugar.
We want to take the child from burning sugar to burning fat .
This is gonna improve the mood , the cognitive function , the ability to learn .
It’s gonna stabilize the blood sugars .
It’s gonna do a lot , so this is gonna be really important .
And the problem is it’s kind of like an on off switch not a dimmer switch .
You can’t necessarily do this gradually .
In other words , you can’t get someone to ketosis by just reducing the sugars .
We have to eliminate the sugars because in the presence of just a little bit of insulin , ketosis is nullified .
What you’re gonna end up with is reducing sugars , but they’re still gonna crave and you’re still gonna have low blood sugars like that constantly , up and down up and down .
Best way to get kids to stop eating sugar
So the best way to do it is to substitute the sugar with something almost identical , and that’s gonna be like the keto friendly , cookies ,
Sugar-free foods for kids
the keto friendly pies , and , the sugar free chocolate , and the keto bombs which are basically these cookies made out of fat .
If you provide those foods as a dessert , and not allow the child to have like , starches , like french fries , then you’re gonna finally make the transition .
It’s gonna take , like , 2 to 3 days of getting the child off sugar to the point where they’re doing really , really well .
You might even wanna make a cookie with nutritional yeast to get that nutritional yeast in their body .
Alternative sugar for kids
But you’re just gonna use things like erythritol , Stevia , xylitol as your sweetener .
That way , the child doesn’t really know that you’re switching it .
They’re you’re just gonna go ahead and , oh , instead of this , we’re gonna give you this today .
And what’ll happen after 3 days , they’ll adapt to fat burning .
Their mood’s gonna be much , much better and it’s gonna be easier and easier and easier .
So the key is preparing for this .
I’m gonna put a link down below of a lot of different recipes that you can make .
You can start out making all sorts of keto bombs and eventually even have your kids help you make them
And then what you do is in one day , you just eliminate all the junk food in the house , all the sugar , all the hidden sugars , and it’s just not there , and you have just the keto bombs .
And then you make the transition that way .
So make the change and start a new trend with your family .
Key Points:
Here are some sugary foods to avoid:
- Sweetened milk
- Sweetened chocolate milk
- Sweetened tea
- Fruit juices
- Sodas
- Sports drinks
- Vitamin drinks
- Ketchup
- Sauces
- Breaded meats
- Chicken fingers
The best thing you can do for your kid’s health is to get them off of junk food! By removing sugar from the diet, you can get them to start burning fat instead of sugar.
There are several benefits to burning fat instead of sugar:
- Improved mood
- Improved cognitive function
- Improved ability to learn
- Stabilized blood sugars
- The best way to get your kids to stop eating sugar is to substitute sugary foods with identical alternatives. Keto-friendly cookies, pies, and chocolates are all great alternative foods for kids, without the sugar.
- Keto bombs are also a great alternative to junk foods and other sugary foods. Keto bombs are similar to a cookie, but made completely of fat. You can use erythritol, xylitol, and stevia to sweeten treats instead of sugar.
- It may take a few days for your child to adjust, but removing sugar from your kid’s diet is a great choice for their health.
DATA:
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/sugar-how-bad-are-sweets-for-your-kids
FAQ:
Getting your child off sugar and managing sugar rushes can be challenging, but with consistent strategies, it’s entirely achievable. Here’s how you can navigate through this:
How to Get Your Child Off Sugar:
- Educate About Healthy Eating: Talk with your child about the benefits of eating healthily and the negative effects of too much sugar. Make it a learning journey you embark on together.
- Gradual Reduction: Suddenly removing all sugar can lead to resistance and cravings. Start by slowly reducing sugary snacks and drinks, replacing them with healthier options.
- Healthy Substitutions: Introduce tasty, healthy alternatives to sugary foods. Natural sugars in fruits, for instance, are better due to the fiber, vitamins, and minerals they contain.
- Smart Snacking: Keep healthy snacks like sliced vegetables, nuts, and cheese readily available to deter reaching for sugary options.
- Involve in Meal Planning: Make meal preparation a family activity. It’s a great way to teach your child about nutrition and let them have a say in what they’re eating.
How to Stop a Sugar Rush in a Child:
- Hydrate: Encourage your child to drink water. It won’t stop the rush but can help with hydration and possibly dilute the sugar concentration in their bloodstream.
- Balance with Fiber and Protein: Offer a snack that’s high in fiber or protein, like an apple or a handful of nuts. These can help slow the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream.
Easiest Way to Quit Sugar:
- Understand Labels: Learn to identify all forms of added sugars on ingredient lists. This awareness can significantly help in avoiding them.
- Mindful Eating: Pay attention to when and why you’re craving sugar—is it out of hunger, habit, or emotion? Addressing the root cause can reduce the cravings.
- Get Support: Share your goals with family and friends. They can offer encouragement and hold you accountable.
How to Stop Sugar Rush Immediately:
While you can’t instantly stop a sugar rush, you can mitigate its effects and manage your response to cravings:
- Physical Activity: If possible, engage in some physical activity. It can help burn off some of the energy and facilitate blood sugar regulation.
- Balance with Other Foods: Eating something with fiber, fat, or protein can help slow the digestion and absorption of the sugar, albeit not immediately.
How Long Does it Take for a Child to Burn Off Sugar?
The time it takes for a child to burn off sugar can vary widely depending on several factors, including the child’s metabolism, the amount of sugar consumed, their level of physical activity, and their overall diet. Typically, the body starts to process sugar immediately, but it might take a few hours for the effects of a sugar rush to wear off. Engaging in physical activity can help speed up the process of burning off excess sugar.
What If Kids Have Too Much Sugar?
Consuming too much sugar can lead to various short-term and long-term health issues for kids, including:
- Energy Crashes: After the initial energy spike, a significant drop often follows, affecting mood and activity levels.
- Increased Risk of Obesity: Excess sugar intake can lead to weight gain and obesity, a risk factor for numerous health problems.
- Dental Problems: Sugar is a leading cause of cavities and dental decay in children.
- Increased Risk of Chronic Diseases: Long-term, high sugar consumption is linked to the development of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other metabolic conditions.
Why Is My Child Addicted to Sugar?
Children (and adults) can develop a strong preference for sugary foods due to the pleasure response it triggers in the brain. Sugar releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure and reward, encouraging repeated consumption. Consistent, high sugar intake can lead to a cycle of cravings and dependency that feels like addiction.
What Are the Symptoms of Too Much Sugar?
Symptoms of consuming too much sugar may include:
- Physical Symptoms: Fatigue, headaches, and stomachache or nausea (especially in children with no tolerance or ate too much sugar in one sitting).
- Behavioral Changes: Hyperactivity followed by energy crashes, irritability, and mood swings.
- Increased Hunger: Paradoxically, consuming too much sugar can lead to spikes and drops in blood sugar levels that trigger more cravings and hunger.
Is 5g of Sugar a Lot?
In the context of daily sugar intake, 5g of sugar is not exceptionally high. For reference, the American Heart Association recommends that children aged 2 to 18 consume less than 25 grams (or 6 teaspoons) of added sugars per day. Therefore, 5g of sugar represents about a fifth of the recommended daily limit for added sugars for children, making it relatively modest in moderation and within a balanced diet. However, it’s essential to consider the source of the sugar (natural vs. added) and the overall dietary context.