Home
nutrition

Mom, Know the Dangers of Excess Sugar in Children's Drinks

Mom, Know the Dangers of Excess Sugar in Children's Drinks

Behind the sweetness of the drinks that children drink, there is a danger of sugar lurking in them. As a parent, you must supervise and limit the consumption of sugary drinks in your child. Come on, see further explanations about the dangers of excess sugar in children's drinks, Mom.

Many parents have limited the amount of sugar in cooking made at home. However, actually that is not enough. There is still sugar intake in children who often do not realize the amount, namely sugar in the drinks he usually consumes.

Know the Sugar Content in Children's Drinks

Experts recommend that children consume no more than 25 grams (5 teaspoons) of sugar a day. However, in fact there are many drinks that contain more sugar than this limit. Not a few of these drinks are favored by children because they taste good.

The following is an illustration of the amount of sugar contained in children's favorite drinks:
  • 1 cup of 200 ml chocolate drink can contain 19–25 grams of sugar
  • 1 250 ml packaged fruit juice can contain 35 grams of sugar
  • 1 box of 250 ml sweet tea can contain 22 grams of sugar
  • 1 box of 250 ml packaged milk can contain 24 grams of sugar
  • 1 cup 300 ml milkshake can contain 60 grams of sugar
Almost all of these drinks have crossed the sugar intake limit of children. If not, remember that this is just the amount of sugar in 1 drink. If added to the sugar content in other foods that he consumes in a day, it is very likely that he has consumed more than his daily sugar ration.

So, you have to really monitor the consumption of your little one's sweet drinks, yes. Pay attention to the label of the drink that he likes to buy and read how much sugar it contains. Mother can still allow him to drink the drink, but limit the amount according to the sugar content in it.

In reading packaging labels, you also need to be careful because the sugar in children's drinks is not always written as "sugar." You can find a variety of other names, such as corn sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, fructose, glucose, dextrose, honey, lactose, malt syrup, maltose, molasses, raw sugar, or sucrose.

This is the Danger of Excess Sugar in Children's Drinks

Limiting sugary drinks is not just to limit sugar intake, Mom. This is important because there is a danger of sugar waiting if the consumption of sugary drinks continues unnoticed. Below are some of the bad effects that can occur when children consume sugary drinks in excess:
  • Difficult to control weight
  • At risk of having rotten teeth or cavities
  • Tend to be a picky eater (picky eater), lack of appetite, and can experience bowel disorders
  • At risk of experiencing digestive disorders, such as diarrhea, so that they do not get enough nutrition and energy
  • At risk for chronic health problems, such as diabetes, obesity, to heart disease, as an adult
Given the many negative effects of sugar in drinks like the one above, now is the time for mothers to get used to drinking healthier drinks.

Avoiding the Dangers of Sugar with Healthy Drinks

If your child is used to consuming sugary drinks, start to limit these drinks and replace them with healthy drinks. The following are some healthy drink choices that are good for your little one:
  • Breast milk (for children under 2 years)
  • Full cream milk
  • Fruit juices without added sugar
  • Coconut water Herbal teas, such as chamomile tea
In addition to consuming healthy drinks, you also need to get your little one to eat vegetables and fruit. Besides being rich in fiber, fruits and vegetables can help build a healthy diet in children.

No less important, Mother must also be a good example in practicing healthy eating and drinking habits every day. If you have difficulty limiting your little one's sugar intake, especially if he shows dangerous signs of excess sugar, don't hesitate to consult a doctor, yes, Mom.

Post a Comment