Say no to Sugary drinks!!!
The supermarket now a days is full of sugary drinks and I often wonder why we as parents can’t curb the intake of sugary drinks. Most of us as parents only limit the quantity of sugar in the foods but forget that sugary drinks also cater to a large part of the sugar in take.
Sugary drinks are the leading single source of empty calories in young people’s diets and directly contribute to diet related diseases, including tooth decay, obesity and diabetes. Under the new guidelines, for the under-6s the figure is just five teaspoons, or 19g. Children under the age of 11 should consume no more than six teaspoons of sugar a day the limit, equal to 24g, For adults, the new limit is 30g, down from 70g a day for men and 50g for women.
Maximum sugars intake per day:-
Sugary beverages cause tooth decay.
Your child’s tooth enamel is not as thick as an adult’s enamel, and is more susceptible to bacterial damage and erosion by acids which result from consuming sugary beverages. These acids alter the natural chemistry of saliva. The sugars in beverages change the mouth’s good, normal environment paving way for the bacteria in plaque along with the acid produced to attack healthy teeth causing tooth decay.
DRINKS TO PICK
Milk
Milk’s calcium and vitamin D is especially important in building your children’s bones and teeth. 1 cup of milk has 300 milligrams of calcium, so it’s a big contributor to a child’s daily needs. But leave the premixed flavoured milks on the shelf because they contain more sugar, fat and calories than the milk you’ll mix yourself. You might also try enriched soy milk, which is a little sweeter than cow’s milk and has the same amount of calcium.
When serving milk, do keep in mind the quantity served. If toddler’s drinks too much milk, this could blunt their appetite for the other nutritious foods they need. For toddlers the range is 16 to 22 ounces of milk a day.
Water
Water is sugar-free, fat-free, calorie-free, and additive-free. Plus, if it’s coming straight from the tap, it probably contains fluoride, which prevents cavities. (If your water isn’t fluoridated, ask your paediatrician or dentist about whether or not your toddler needs a fluoride supplement.)
DRINKS TO PICK IN MODERATION
100 percent juice
Research shows that when you limit your children’s intake of 100 percent juice , it doesn’t cause weight gain . Just remember that your child shouldn’t be toting a sippy cup filled with juice all day long.
To ensure your child isn’t drinking too much juice, follow these limits from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
- Birth to 6 months. No fruit juice, unless it’s used to relieve constipation.,br>
- 6 to 12 months. If juice is given, limit it to 4 to 6 ounces (118 to 177 milliliters) and serve it in a cup (not a bottle) to avoid tooth decay.
- 1 to 6 years. Up to 6 ounces (177 milliliters) a day.
- 7 years and older. Up to 12 ounces (355 milliliters) a day.
- Supply fibre to their diet and help prevent constipation
- Help with skills such as chewing
- Teach about different textures, colours and tastes
- Provide a convenient, healthy and nourishing option for snacks
- Establish healthier eating and drinking habits. DRINKS TO SKIP
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