Many parents have learned that sugar is NOT their friend when it comes to raising happy, healthy children. Childhood obesity and the health hazards of childhood diabetes are reaching epidemic proportions. Sugar also contributes to an energy and blood sugar “roller coaster” that is both physical and emotional. Fall and winter holidays are hard-to-resist opportunities where children are tempted with sweet treats. The “trick” for parents is how to deal with these events, so your children don’t feel left-out, but are happy with healthy alternatives.
 
Sugar's effects on the body
 
Our bodies turn just about everything into “sugar”. It is needed fuel, but simple sugars are fast-burning compared to proteins and fats. Consuming a lot of simple sugars gets the body into the habit of producing more and more insulin in an attempt to balance blood sugar. This can become “insulin resistance”, a pre-diabetic condition. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not secrete enough insulin or if the cells become resistant to insulin. Type I, or Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM), occurs most often in children and adolescents. It is associated with complete destruction of the pancreatic cells that manufacture insulin. Obesity is a major contributing factor to Type II diabetes, which does not usually require insulin injections but does require diet and lifestyle modification. Weight control and management can often restore normal blood sugar levels.
 
Help is at Hand
 
If you are concerned about your child’s sugar intake you are no doubt working on diet modifications. This can be difficult. Once the body has become used to receiving frequent sugar and carbohydrate “hits”, it craves fast energy - energy that doesn’t last and causes unhealthy insulin spiking. The body responds, sometimes creating destructive imbalances in insulin and stress hormones. Fortunately there are natural supplements, herbal formulas and functional foods that can help improve insulin sensitivity, and support weight loss and appetite control.
 
Fibre, especially soluble fibre, can improve blood sugar management by slowing the digestion of foods, reducing appetite, improving metabolism and balancing insulin levels.
 
If your kids are hooked on sugar, you can lead by example. Make some lifestyle and dietary changes. Don’t buy products containing HFCS (high fructose corn syrup), especially soda pop, sugary “sports” drinks and candies. Food habits start in the home. Instead, try mini-boxes of raisins, popcorn, natural nuts and seeds (pumpkin and sunflower seeds are popular). Kick the sugar habit and the children will notice.
 
Your “treat”? The pleasure you get from enjoying a healthy happy child!
 
References:

• Michael Murray, ND, Michael Lyon, MD, How to Prevent and Treat Diabetes with Natural Medicine,October 23, 2003,  Riverhead Book, ISBN: 1573222593; 
• Institute of Medicine:"Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity: How Do We Measure Up?" Sept. 13, 2006. Jeffrey P. Koplan, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, Emory University; chairman, IOM panel. Antroinette (Toni) Yancey, professor, UCLA School of Public Health. Alison Kretser, senior director of nutrition and public policy, Grocery Manufacturers Association.