Sugars are empty calories

Every dietician is anti-sweet and against giving sugary desserts to children in excess. This is not because they want to be tough on children but because they wish children the best of health. But when parents insist that their children should be fed love in the form of sweets, a dietician will suggest ways to make that love also work in a healthy way. Fruit, low-fat dairy products with below moderate sugar an also make for delicious and nutritious sweet treats.

“Limit the portions of cookies, candies and other baked goods,” says Amera Varghese,dietician, Mediclinic Hospital, Dubai. “Try fruit-based desserts instead. Fresh fruits contain natural sugars. You can cook them or use fresh, or make a smoothie or combine them with nuts and dried fruits,” she advises.

Increased sugar consumption by children has many bad health consequences and leads to a variety of health problems such as being overweight, obese and developing a risk for high blood pressure in later years, Amera warns. apart from the sugar content prsent in the foods they eat, they also drink sugar-loaded beverages which adds to the problem. It is better to use extracts such as almond, vanilla, orange or lemon, to drinks rather than stir tablespoonfuls of suagr into them.

“Avoid flavoured yogurts and instead teach children to enjoy plain yogurt. You can also add your own sweetness by blending in frozen berries or other fruits.”

Here, she suggests the daily calorie intake from sugars, and gives other options than candies, chocolates or cakes.