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As parents, you are probably bending over backwards to ensure that your child is safe and healthy. Parents nowadays are extremely involved in their children’s lives and wellbeing. They want to know where they are, what they are doing and most importantly what they are eating. You may remember your own parents nagging you to finish your juice every morning or making sure you take your multivitamins every day without fail. But did you know that this can actually be harmful for little kids? As much as we’d like to believe that we have it all figured out on the food front, we may actually be forcing our kids to consume food that is harmful to them without even realizing it. Many of the foods that kids consume today contain a lot of sugar. This causes a child’s taste buds to reduce their sensitivity, so normal food doesn’t seem appealing anymore. Here’s a list of some foods that aren’t as healthy as they claim to be. Read on to know them all!
1. Juice
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If you’re a parent, juices are probably your saving grace. It’s a good way to fill up your little one’s tummy without having to deal with the tantrums that come with making them eat solid food. But does that make this a healthier option? Not necessarily. Juices are popular amongst children of all age groups because they are so easy to consume and come in bright packages. But also because they are sweet and contain a lot of sugar. One glass of packaged juice can contain over 6 tablespoons of sugar. How crazy is that! The dissolved sugar immediately gets absorbed into the bloodstream, which is bad for the metabolization of carbohydrates (1). It is recommended by doctors and pediatricians that it is far more healthier to eat fresh fruit than to drink juices. Thanks to the fiber in fruit, the juice is absorbed gradually. You can also try to get them to drink freshly squeezed juice or a smoothie instead of store bought juice.
2. Yogurt
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Yogurt can be good for your kid, you just need to pay close attention to the ingredients list first. One mistake that you must avoid while buying yogurt is buying store bought yogurt that has been kept on open shelves instead of in a fridge. These can be dangerous and harmful for your child. Secondly, make sure to buy natural yogurts instead of artificially sweetened ones. Yogurt with “fruit” that you often see in supermarkets contains a lot of sugar, fat and calories which can lead your child to become overweight and increase their risk of diabetes. So, remember to pick a plain yogurt without any flavoring. This way you can add cut fruits and nuts at home and customize it to your child’s preferences. A win-win situation!
3. Creal
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Where do we start with this one? Flakes, muesli, and other similar foods look very healthy in commercials that claim they contain a lot of vitamins and minerals. In fact, these foods don’t contain any healthy elements at all. All of the healthy elements of corn, wheat, and oats are removed during production, and only carbohydrates are left. But what they do contain is a lot of sugar which isn’t going to do your child any good. Not to mention that it is hard to satiate your child’s appetite with such a lackluster breakfast. In a few short hours, your child will be hungry again. A good replacement for cereal is oatmeal. It’s easy to make and you can add any toppings you’d like to make it fun for the kids. With all the new overnight oatmeal recipes out there, we’re sure you’ll find a healthy option that your kids will crave.
4. Grapes
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Don’t get us wrong, grapes contain a ton of vitamins and minerals that are great for your little ones, as long as they are not too little to eat them. The main reason that children shouldn’t be allowed to eat them is because they are a choking hazard. Grapes can also be quite hard for your child’s digestive tract to process (2). Bananas are a great replacement for them if your child is below the age of 2.
5. Multivitamins
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This can be a controversial topic. The problem arises when parents rely on their knowledge and experience instead of consulting an expert, which is completely wrong and can even be dangerous. No matter how harmless and cute animal shaped vitamins can be, they must be prescribed from a doctor for your little one. Besides, children can get their necessary vitamins from food easily.
Keeping an eye on everything your child eats can be tricky. But now that you know what pitfalls to avoid, you can rest assured that your childs are eating healthy. Happy parenting.
