Myth or medicine? Probiotics for children
What are the real benefits of probiotics and prebiotics for children? Find out the benefits, differences and tips for healthy intestinal flora.
Children love sweets – that’s no secret. There is certainly nothing wrong with children snacking now and again. But how much sugar is actually okay? And how can parents ensure that their little ones learn a healthy approach to sugar? In this blog post, we would like to provide practical tips and important information on the topic of sugar and its alternatives.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that children should not consume more than 10% of their daily calories in the form of sugar. This corresponds to around 25g of sugar per day or six teaspoons. This figure may seem high at first, but when you consider that a glass of lemonade already contains around 20g of sugar, it becomes clear how quickly the recommended amount can be exceeded. In addition to the obvious sugar traps such as sweets and soft drinks, the hidden sugar in processed products is particularly problematic.
Liquid Calcium with Magnesium
*Calcium and vitamin D are needed for healthy growth and development of bones in children. Additionally, magnesium, vitamin K, and zinc support the maintenance of healthy bones.
Sugar is a vital source of energy for the body and the fuel for many processes in the body. Unlike proteins and fats, it can be converted into energy at lightning speed. This makes it the perfect fuel when the body needs energy quickly. This is precisely why athletes often reach for glucose, bananas, sugary, isotonic drinks or an energy gel from a tube shortly before or during strenuous competitions.
However, most Germans consume far too much sugar, which can have both short-term and long-term effects on health. If children regularly consume too much sugar, this can have various negative consequences. These include:
Obesity and diabetes: High sugar consumption can increase the risk of obesity and associated diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Sugary foods and drinks are full of calories, but do little to fill you up. This leads to children eating more than their bodies need. Obesity in children can lead to serious health problems (later) in life, including cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders.
Caries: One of the best-known effects of sugar is the development of caries. This is because sugar provides food for bacteria in the oral cavity, which produce acids and thus attack the tooth enamel and cause tooth decay.
Behavior and concentration: There is evidence that high sugar consumption can affect children’s behavior and ability to concentrate. Children who consume a lot of sugar often show restless behavior and have difficulty concentrating for long periods of time. This can have a negative impact on their school performance and general well-being.
With careful planning and a little creativity, parents can play a key role in helping their children learn a healthy approach to sugar. These tips will help you to find a healthy approach to sugar as a family:
As delicious as sweets are, it is important to keep an eye on the sugar consumption of little sweet tooths and offer healthy alternatives.
Here are some tips and recipes for healthy eating on hot days!
What are the real benefits of probiotics and prebiotics for children? Find out the benefits, differences and tips for healthy intestinal flora.