KIDS AND TEENS

If we, as adults, have trouble keeping away from the sweets during the holidays, you can bet it’s twice as bad for kids! Everywhere you go it seems there are treats galore for your kids to indulge in. School parties, neighbors delivering holiday cookies, candy canes, hot chocolate, sugar overload!!!!! While the occasional treat is nothing to worry about, an onslaught of sugar during the holidays is. Sugar lowers children's immunity and makes them susceptible to seasonal illnesses like H1N1.

Here are some suggestions to cut back on sugar:

You'd be surprised how much sugar kids consume in just drinks alone. If you switch to water you'll be cutting out a BUNCH of sugar. Other suggestions: diluted fruit juice or sparkling water mixed with fruit juice.

Knowing that your kids have access to more treats than normal, but be especially watchful at home. Compensate by offering especially healthy snacks and meals. Lots of fresh fruit, veggies and whole grains.

Watch out for hidden sugar in processed snacks like granola bars, animal crackers, snack cookies, graham crackers, etc. Offer whole grain crackers, pretzels, popcorn, cheese and nuts instead.

Feed kids a healthy snack or meal before going to parties so they won’t be hungry.

Talk to your kids before parties and gatherings and agree on how much sugar they are allowed to eat.

Explain to your children that sugar is not good for their bodies and makes it hard for them to fight off sickness. Even small children can grab ahold of this concept and you'll be surprised how agreeable they are to it.

Try replacing refined, white sugar with Rapidura sugar or Sucanat (1:1) in any recipe for a more rich and healthy option. You can also use honey and stevia as sweeteners instead of white sugar.