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The low sugar diets are not as controversial as the low-fat diets that we all heard so much about. Most doctors still believe that a balanced and healthy diet should contain as little as 5% of calories from sugars or carbohydrates. Most people who follow such diets usually eat fruit, vegetables, and whole-grain bread.1 Many experts also believe that such diets help in weight loss as it is difficult for people to stick to a low sugar diet for a prolonged period of time. The low sugar diets originate from the low-fat diet in a few ways. Starting in the early 1960s, most doctors believed that a low sugar diet can help people suffering from low energy, diabetes, and even those who were already very healthy.
Initially, low sugar diets only encouraged restricting dietary carbohydrates; eliminating bread and pasta from one’s diet, replacing sugar-sweetened beverages with water or fruit juices. However, nowadays, there are a lot of foods that actually have very low sugar content. Some examples are rice, potatoes, apples, and even bananas. Low-sugar foods help in preventing weight gain because they curb your appetite for food by making you feel full after eating less than the amount you normally eat. They also help in burning excess fat because they contain natural antioxidants which fight against the damage caused by free radicals in our bodies.
The biggest problem with low sugar diets is the fact that they can be harmful to your health in the long run. The importance of a low sugar diet for kids is something that few people know about. It’s not just an issue with adults, but children as well! High sugar intake has been linked to obesity and other health issues in both adults and children. But there are ways to limit the amount of sugar you take in, such as by reading labels on packaged foods or buying fruit without added sugars. Read this blog post for more information on how to keep your family healthy – it might be easier than you think.
What is a Low Sugar Diet?
It is widely known that a low sugar diet is one of these diets you are restricting your intake of sugar – no more, no less. This means that you are not eating any foods that have been processed with sugar as an ingredient; rather, you are only eating foods that have been prepared without using any form of sugar. In short, a low sugar diet is a diet that is made up of mainly plant-based foods that have had all of their sugars removed.2 The reasoning behind this diet is that the sugar that is usually found in foods has a tendency to get stored in our bodies as fat, and in order to lose weight we must burn off this excess sugar – without using any form of sugar (which is why some people will experience ‘starving’ spells as a result of being on a low sugar diet for a short period of time). There are many benefits to a diet like this.3
The main goal of low sugar diets is to keep a regular healthy blood sugar level: High blood sugar levels can behave very negatively in a domino effect in your body, leading to various other health complications. Low sugar diets are known to help and/or stop diabetes, heart disease, nerve health, mood swings, inflammation, weight gain, depression, and fatigue.4 It has also been known to improve skin tone and clarity and decrease joint pain. Diabetes is a condition where your body is unable to make insulin (the hormone that determines glucose from fat), which is usually produced by the pancreas. In a lot of cases, the pancreas is damaged, or the level of insulin in your blood is too low, which leads to abnormal cells in your blood, which are known as insulin-resistant cells.5
Many low sugar diets recommend a low daily caloric intake of up to 1200 calories, which may need adjusting depending on your body type and activity level. For those who want to lose weight, you may need to eat less than what you normally do, while for those who are trying to prevent diseases like cancer, you may need to eat more. It’s important to note that these diets usually last between two to four weeks, and may need to be continued regularly for a period of time to achieve the results you are looking for.
The Benefits Of Low Sugar Diets For Kids
Many people are not aware that low-sugar diets for kids can be highly beneficial. Kids need proper nutrition in order to grow strong and healthy. When your child is not getting all the nutrients they need, their health will definitely suffer.6
One of the greatest benefits of low sugar diets for kids is that they can become more active. When you provide them with a diet that is full of unprocessed foods, they will be able to burn fat and calories much faster than if they were eating high-calorie meals. The sugars in these types of foods can also help boost the brain function of your child. Kids need to get lots of rest as well. By taking care of themselves physically, they will be able to better take care of themselves mentally.7
Another great benefit of low sugar diets for kids is that they can learn how to have better-eating habits. Parents can teach their kids how to make healthy food choices. They should also be taught the importance of having good nutrition. Kids need to know that eating a balanced diet does not mean that they can eat anything they want. A low sugar diet for kids is just one way of getting them to start eating healthier. Parents also need to work on introducing a change in their lifestyle as well.8
The American Academy of Pediatrics has also released a list of guidelines for healthy eating for kids. These guidelines include eating five servings of fruits and/or vegetables per day, low in fat and low in salt. The guidelines also suggest that parents reduce the amount of sugar and calories they feed their children by 40% of the daily intake. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association have both released reports that encourage parents to introduce low sugar diets for kids.
Why Do Kids Need Low Sugar Diets?
Studies on children and diets have shown time again the importance of low sugar diets for kids. Children who follow such diets often develop good eating habits, develop a healthy way of thinking and learn patience. These are all traits that they will carry with them as adults and will help them succeed in life no matter what they choose to do. The best thing to do is to get your child to start fruits and vegetables at an early age and introduce them to healthier snacks like bread and yogurt.
Low sugar diets for kids should be a way to teach them the value of vegetables and fruits over sugary treats. It also shows them how to make a good decision and how they can take their needs into their own hands and solve their problems. Research has shown over time that children will do much better in school if they learn how to have fun and get enough sleep.
There is no question that this is a difficult thing to do but it can be done. The most important thing to remember with no sugar diets for kids is that they have to be strong to follow them. They may not want to do it at first and that is perfectly okay because over time they will get into the mood to eat real food.
If kids aren’t interested in what is being served in the home, then they will not be interested in trying the food when they get home from school. It may take a little time to work up to no sugar diets for kids but the benefits to them, in the long run, will be well worth it. Kids love to eat and they love to learn new things and this is one of the easiest ways to be able to accomplish this with them.
Image Credits
Very Well Fit / June 12, 2021
Park Academy / 2021
ShutterStock / 2021
1 “No-sugar diet: 8 tips and health benefits – Medical News Today.” https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319991 Accessed 27 Jul. 2021.
2 “8 Tips to Go Sugar-Free (Without Going Crazy) – Clean Eating Kitchen.” 16 Aug. 2020, https://www.cleaneatingkitchen.com/8-tips-to-go-sugar-free/ Accessed 27 Jul. 2021.
3 “The Only Sugar-Free Diet Plan You’ll Ever Need – Byrdie.” https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-give-up-sugar Accessed 27 Jul. 2021.
4 “Sugar Busters Diet Plan Review: Food List, How It Works, and More.” 27 Mar. 2020, https://www.webmd.com/diet/a-z/sugar-busters-what-it-is Accessed 27 Jul. 2021.
5 “No-Sugar Diet: How to Get Started – Healthline.” https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/no-sugar-diet Accessed 27 Jul. 2021.
6 “The Benefits of Sugar-Free Eating and Cooking – The Spruce Eats.” 25 Oct. 2019, https://www.thespruceeats.com/benefits-of-eating-sugar-free-3151643 Accessed 27 Jul. 2021.
7 “10 Easy Ways To Reduce Sugar In Your Kids’ Diet – My Fussy Eater ….” 4 Jun. 2015, https://www.myfussyeater.com/10-easy-ways-to-reduce-sugar-in-your-kids-diet/ Accessed 27 Jul. 2021.
8 “What Happens to Your Body When You Cut Out Added Sugar?.” https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-effects-cut-added-sugar Accessed 27 Jul. 2021.
