Did you eat a lot of sweets during the holidays? Don’t bother, it’s important to follow some simple dietary rules

During this run-up to the holidays, I didn’t want to preach about the harm of excess added sugar to the young body. We are all aware of the negative consequences (tooth decay, diabetes, obesity). Sweet tasting foods can and should be part of your child’s diet: on normal days in the form of natural sugars: fruits, dairy products, less often (ideally up to 3 times a week, once a day) in the form of added sugar, and in special cases such as Christmas, New Years, birthdays, their number may be slightly higher.

Here are some tips that may be relevant to you:

– The prohibitions that this is a bad food should not be emphasized. And this rule applies not only to sweets. Studies show that children who are forbidden to eat unhealthy foods eat more and are overweight as soon as they get a chance;

– Sweets only after the main meal. None of that during the holiday period will be at least 3 times a day in unlimited quantities. As much as! Many can evaluate the proposal unreliably. However, after the main meal, children will eat much less dessert than as a snack. Status: main dishes should not have added sugar, drink – only water or drinks without sugar – tea, milk;

– Sweet foods should be eaten sitting at the table;

– Eating should be a pleasant process;

– Create a peaceful environment to enhance your enjoyment – no distractions like a TV or tablet. Slow down the feeding process: enjoy the dessert as long as possible, feel it melt in your mouth;

– Teach children to discover not only a sweet note in dessert, but other flavors as well. The sweets you eat will go unnoticed while you watch TV, play games or do any other activity, and your hand will automatically chase the other;

– Great if it’s a homemade dessert. In most recipes, we can reduce the sugar content by a third or half, and even better if it is made with children. An activity that distracts children from televisions, tablets and other modern devices. An invaluable experience that can be passed down from generation to generation. And especially if that dessert is one of the old traditional dishes;

– Neutralize the effects of sugar on teeth: let’s encourage children to brush their teeth.

What to do with the sweet gifts?

– First, let’s think about how we can say ‘no’ to sugar gifts: perhaps to say that you value the gifts and love of the giver, but not the expression of sugar? Or maybe make a list of sweets that could be for example nuts in chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate with nuts?

Well, and if you’ve already collected a large quantity, check it out: choose the highest quality delicacies containing cocoa powder, cocoa butter, with or without reduced sugar, with a short list of ingredients. Let’s put it aside and put where our eyes don’t get in the way. We throw away the candies that stick to your teeth for just a bite of sweets, with a long list of ingredients. Well, if not all or at least some of the listed points have been implemented, let’s not bother. Guilt is not a Christmas spice.

PD advice is for parents / guardians raising children as young as 2 years old. Children under 2 years of age do not receive foods with added sugar.

It is recommended not to exceed 6 teaspoons of sugar per day: 25 g.