Sugar is essential for the proper functioning of the body, glucose is involved in metabolic processes, improves brain function. It is very important for children to get enough sugar, which is found naturally in many foods. But sweets with refined sugar are harmful to the child's body.
All children love sweet, sweet taste signals the body that there are a lot of carbohydrates in the product, which are quickly absorbed and provide a lot of energy. Nature has arranged human receptors in such a way that he likes the taste of fruits, honey and other sweet foods. But she did not foresee that over time a person will learn to get sugar in its pure form. Foods with refined sugar are not nearly as healthy as fruits. Moreover, in large quantities, they harm the body, disrupt metabolism, lead to the development of serious diseases, and cause fat deposits.
Therefore, the answer to the question whether children need sugar will be ambiguous: a child definitely needs sugar, but only that which is contained in healthy foods. And refined sugar in the composition of sweets, cakes, ice cream or jam is harmful to children in the same way as adults. And if it is impossible to completely eliminate these products, then it is advisable to reduce their consumption to a minimum.
Doctors do not recommend giving foods with sugar to infants under one year old.
Healthy Sugar for Kids
Sugar is found in many foods: fruits, dried fruits, vegetables, honey, nuts. At the age of one, such food is not only possible, but also needs to be given to children so that the body receives the required amount of glucose. Bananas, grapes, pears, kiwi and other fruits contain a large amount of nutrients. You can sweeten porridge or other dishes with honey, raisins, or pieces of dried fruit. Do not be afraid that such food will not seem sweet enough to a child - if he has not yet eaten products with pure sugar in the composition, that is, he is not used to a too rich sweet taste, then natural sweeteners will be to his taste.
Hematogen is another useful sweetness, this bar contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, as well as iron, which increases the level of hemoglobin in the blood.
What sweets are harmful for children
All products with refined sugar in the composition are not needed for the human body, the amount of glucose in them is so large that it is unnecessary and leads to metabolic disorders and the appearance of caries. Sweets interfere with the absorption of vitamins and minerals necessary in childhood, they lead to excess weight, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and diabetes. Therefore, children are not advised to give chocolate, sweets, cakes, jams, cookies and similar sweets.
A few decades ago, caries in a three- or four-year-old child was considered an exceptional case, but today it is a common disease in children.
It is believed that such a diet is too strict for a child, but if you give children enough fruits, honey and other healthy and sweet foods and allow him to eat any harmful products as late as possible, then you will be surprised to see that the baby is full of everything. one candy and even considers it too sweet. Sugar is addictive to the sugary taste, and the more sweet you give your children, the more they want more, and the less sweet other foods seem.
