You Could Be Killing Your Child With This Daily Ingredient

We all want what is best for our children, but as life picks up the pace, some things that aren’t the best slip through the cracks.

The occasional late night out or special trip to the ice cream shop isn’t going to do irreparable harm, yet caution needs to be heeded when small things begin happening in big quantities.

That is the case with America’s favorite ingredient. We add it to our food, we sprinkle it in our coffee, and our children are sneaking in copious amounts of it.

Sugar is at the center of nearly every health epidemic in our nation, from obesity to heart disease; and it’s only getting worse.

The Daily Wire reported:

American parents are poisoning their toddlers with excessive amounts of sugar.

According to new data shown at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting, both infants and toddlers are being fed an added sugar dosage that exceeds the dosage recommended for grown adults.”

Research done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at over 800 children, ages 6-23 months, and found scary results that is changing the future of our youth.

According to The Daily Wire, the study found that the toddlers 12-18 months old ate a shocking 5.5 teaspoons of sugar per day, while toddlers 19-23 months old jumped up to 7.1 teaspoons a day.

The amount of sugar consumption recommended to stay below for adult women is 6 teaspoons, according to the American Heart Association, and 9 teaspoons for men.

Most parents of toddlers will admit to giving their child some added sugar every day, whether it is in juice, processed crackers, or fruit snacks.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services reported on the sugar addiction Americans have developed:

Two hundred years ago, the average American ate only 2 pounds of sugar a year. In 1970, we ate 123 pounds of sugar per year. Today, the average American consumes almost 152 pounds of sugar in one year. This is equal to 3 pounds (or 6 cups) of sugar consumed in one week!”

This drastic rise in sugar consumption by children has shown to have serious health repercussions, according to the CDC’s study.

When a child consumes large quantities of sugar when they are young, they become addicted to the sweet additive and are likely to be addicted as adults.

You are not supposed to give a child under 2-years-old any added sugar at all, according to the American Heart Association, because this is sure to deter them from healthier food choices, all while making them crave sweeter options.

If you ever want your toddler to finish that plate of peas without throwing them at you, you must steer clear of pumping them full of unnaturally flavored cuisine.

Parents advisor, Dr. David Ludwig, who is also director of the Optimal Weight for Life Program at Boston Children’s Hospital, says “Sugar overload may prevent their taste buds from maturing. Kids won’t develop the ability to appreciate, let alone eat, a variety of foods.”

Sweetened beverages continue to be the leading cause of added sugar consumption in the nation, according to Sugar Science, and the same goes for children.

It seems innocent enough when we give our children a little apple juice and some milk, but it adds up quickly, creating a pattern for sugar dependency.

Dr. Jennifer Shu, an advisor for Parents, says “Most parents have no idea how much sugar their kids eat.”

This goes for foods you thought were safe as well, Dr. Shu adds, “So much is added to even healthy foods that your child could eat what looks like a pretty balanced diet that’s still full of sugar.”

The food market is surely against parents who are trying to rid sugar-laden products from their home, with advertisements for cookies, crackers, and drinks geared toward children.

Sugar trends in the United States are leading our children on a path towards greater numbers of “diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol — three major contributors to heart disease,” says Dr. Shu.

And this is not just as adults. Children several years ago were rarely diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which used to be called “Adult-onset” diabetes. Now, 30-50% of kids will have it!

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development reports:

“..children with newly diagnosed diabetes who are classified as having type 2 diabetes has risen from less than 5 percent before 1994 to 30-50 percent in. Subsequent years.”

The earlier they develop risk factors for heart disease, the earlier they can have complications, such as a heart attack in their 30’s.

Take control of your child’s diet. Be aware of what manufacturers are putting in food, even if it reads organic, natural, or kid-friendly. Even products labeled 100% juice can have added preservatives and sweeteners.

Look for hidden names for sugar, as well. Any ingredient that ends in ‘ose’ is a sugar derivative, and other sneaky names are high fructose corn syrup, molasses, cane sugar, corn sweetener, raw sugar, syrup, honey, natural flavor, or fruit juice concentrates.

Not all sugar-laden products are obvious. Many breads, sauces, and entrees have added sugars.

If you want to give a treat to your toddler, opt for a piece of fruit or a traditional treat in small portions, and no more than one a day.

While at a restaurant or birthday party, let your child know in advance that they can choose either a sugary drink or a piece of dessert; but not both.

Weaning your child from sugar is not an easy task, just like taking away any substance that the body is addicted to.

Do it in phases, substituting small items at a time. If you do flavored oatmeal packets for breakfast, try plain quick oats with a few raisins and a little honey.

The best defense you have is practicing healthy eating habits yourself, knowing your children are sure to mimic you.

As a family you can change the course of your children’s outcome, giving them a better shot at a quality life, free from preventable illness.

Please let us know in the comments section if you have had experience with sugar related illness in your children, or if you have tips to reduce sugar consumption in the home.