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KATH MEGAW,
CLINICAL PAEDIATRIC DIETICIAN MY DAUGHTER HAS QUITE A SWEET TOOTH AND CAN’T GO THROUGH A DAY WITHOUT DEMANDING A SWEET OR CHOCOLATE. HOW CAN I WEAN HER OFF SUGARY TREATS?
KATH ANSWERS:
It is great that you have taken a keen interest in what goes into products that you feed your daughter, especially as in this day and age we need to be concerned about the amount of sugar our children are getting every day. There are more stressors (environmentally, emotionally and physically) than ever before, and consequently more complaints about gut issues, dehydration, headaches, lethargy and fatigue. We are even seeing type II diabetes in children as early as age 7 – that is a typically adult onset disease. These complaints are among many I’ve seen diminish once we work through the topic of sugar in a household.
It’s a matter of making better food choices by being aware as a shopper, staying away from processed foods, educating yourself to know what ingredients to watch out for and to keep yourself from buying the junk that got you into this fix to begin with. The quick list of substitutes for sugar-laden foods and products will help you navigate your way around this:
INSTEAD OF SWEETS Try real dried fruit, such as apricots, prunes, dates, and currants. They are very sweet and can be purchased in bulk for packing into lunches or for individual snacks.
INSTEAD OF MICROWAVE POPCORN Try air popped fresh popcorn with sea salt or real butter (NOT margarine).
INSTEAD OF FIZZY COOLDRINKS Try homemade iced tea with lemon and one teaspoon of honey (when your child is over one).
INSTEAD OF CHOCOLATE CHIPS IN COOKIES Try carob chips. You use them just as you would chocolate chips and they can be purchased at natural food stores.
INSTEAD OF CINNAMON AND SUGAR ON WHITE TOAST Try wholewheat toast spread with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon.
INSTEAD OF SUGARED CEREAL FOR BREAKFAST Try cooking porridge or making a smoothie with full fat milk, plain yoghurt, six to seven frozen strawberries, one banana and some nuts.
INSTEAD OF BISCUITS Try thinly sliced apples with thinly sliced cheese – a yummy blend of sweet and salty.