SUGAR! Does it affect your toddler?

Hi there,

Do you notice the effects of sugar on your kids?

I rarely give my 16m/o DD any packaged nasties and only occasionally a taste of a piece of banana bread etc (which she doesn't seem to like anyway). I've started giving her juice because she is underweight and I couldn't put more food in her mouth if I tried.

She is barely making it to her nap times, and is becoming increasingly ratty. I was so embarrassed at the library rhyme time today because she was the naughty one (she used to be the angel)! To decompress I went to the bakery to have a coffee and she was yelling and screaming and throwing things around! Eek, so embarrassed! Dad gave her a big bowl of porridge thismorning, with about a tablespoon of honey in it. I was just thinking, that's the same as me having about 6 tablespoons of honey! That's a lot of sugar!

How much do you think food is related to behaviour?

I don't know if sugar effects my kids but defiantly hunger can. DD1 is super picky and refuses all fruit and most veg. If I offer apple and banana slices for afternoon tea she chooses not to eat. Therefore she has 6 - 7 hours between lunch and dinner and she gets super cranky, refuses to listen and picks on her sister.

Id say sugar makes mine far more active usual ( and they are very active) jumping on the couch off running screaming laughing I'm tired just watching them but no so far no behavior stuff

I think it absolutely impacts behavior. Sugar is energy. It doesn't necessarily create monsters - but it can hype them up and the sugar in combination with preservatives/colourings etc can hugely impact on behavior or even something as simple as concentration.

I am not really sure I understand how giving juice will assist with putting on weight.... is it possible to bulk up the food that she does eat? maybe in her milk put a protein supplement etc?

Also, I have found the definition of underweight to be very varied (no idea where your little one falls) I have found drs diagnosing little ones as underweight even though they are the same build as their family and perfectly in proportion in every other way. Weight doesn't mean healthy. If they have to put on weight by eating non nutritious things then its pointless. It just means they are getting fat through eating bad fats. (or sugar converting to fat) a fat kid isn't a healthy kid and a naturally slim kid who has a fat covering so they look normal is not healthy either.

Hi there,

Do you notice the effects of sugar on your kids?

I rarely give my 16m/o DD any packaged nasties and only occasionally a taste of a piece of banana bread etc (which she doesn't seem to like anyway). I've started giving her juice because she is underweight and I couldn't put more food in her mouth if I tried.

She is barely making it to her nap times, and is becoming increasingly ratty. I was so embarrassed at the library rhyme time today because she was the naughty one (she used to be the angel)! To decompress I went to the bakery to have a coffee and she was yelling and screaming and throwing things around! Eek, so embarrassed! Dad gave her a big bowl of porridge thismorning, with about a tablespoon of honey in it. I was just thinking, that's the same as me having about 6 tablespoons of honey! That's a lot of sugar!

How much do you think food is related to behaviour?

Hi

Sugar can give them an energy kick but I dont find it affects behaviour, artificial colours, flavours and preservatives can though and its those things that people associate with sugary treats and blame the sugar - when its the colourings and preservatives that are the culprits. I dont think I'd hold some honey responsible for the tanty.

I think at this age its tiredness, hunger and a developmental thing - they can go from little angels to tantrum throwers and the change is rapid. My youngest was probably around 17 months when out of nowhere she grew horns and started having throw herself on the floor, kicking, screaming tantrums.

If you want to get her to put on weight I wouldnt offer juice, that's essentially liquid sugar. What you need is protein foods and healthy fats. Juice will fill her tummy and she'll have less appetite for food which is what is going to help her put on weight.

Try things like cheese (healthy ones with no colours and preservatives - check the packaging, things like kraft singles and cheese sticks are rubbish but block cheese like tasty or cheddar and Bega stringers are good options). Eggs (boiled, scrambled, poached, omelette) lean meats, baked beans (low salt variety).

The less milk and juice they have the greater their appetite for solid food will be.

Hi

Sugar can give them an energy kick but I dont find it affects behaviour, artificial colours, flavours and preservatives can though and its those things that people associate with sugary treats and blame the sugar - when its the colourings and preservatives that are the culprits. I dont think I'd hold some honey responsible for the tanty.

I think at this age its tiredness, hunger and a developmental thing - they can go from little angels to tantrum throwers and the change is rapid. My youngest was probably around 17 months when out of nowhere she grew horns and started having throw herself on the floor, kicking, screaming tantrums.

If you want to get her to put on weight I wouldnt offer juice, that's essentially liquid sugar. What you need is protein foods and healthy fats. Juice will fill her tummy and she'll have less appetite for food which is what is going to help her put on weight.

Try things like cheese (healthy ones with no colours and preservatives - check the packaging, things like kraft singles and cheese sticks are rubbish but block cheese like tasty or cheddar and Bega stringers are good options). Eggs (boiled, scrambled, poached, omelette) lean meats, baked beans (low salt variety).

The less milk and juice they have the greater their appetite for solid food will be.

I have to disagree about the sugar not affecting behavior although I agree with everything you have said after that. Great food advice!
Although honey is natural and absorbed slightly differently to normal table sugar, it is still fructose. It gives you energy. If you aren't used to handling that energy - especially if it occurs at a crucial time such as when a kid is tired, it can definitely change behavior. If you have a sugar high, then you can have a sugar low - which is another place where behavior can go a bit wobbly, when their body wants sugar. This can happen when they have a lot of it and are essentially addicted.

The juice is just sugar (same sugar as honey) and I would be avoiding it anyway as it will eat away at her tooth enamel. One of the biggest causes of tooth decay in kids is juice, muesli bars - not coke in a bottle and a diet of Mcdonalds and chuppa chups. Even if she is underweight her tooth enamel is soft and vulnerable. It doesn't care that you have a reason for giving her juice. Either way juice is not an effective way to put on weight.

I haven't noticed any change in DS when it comes to sugar - but he's a bundle of energy anyway. Still I wouldn't give sugar/honey etc close to a nap time just in case one day he changes.
But I do know some kids that it effects and they have big highs and then super lows.
and to further add to what OC said - if she is gaining weight steadily and not loosing weight I wouldn't worry to much about being "underweight" esp if their are family members who are lean.
also my CHN said get some avocado and salmon into the diet to add a good fat to help with weight gain.

Thanks ladies!

There seems to be lots of strong opinions... Especially about the juice!

She is being managed by a paediatrician and our GP for being clinically underweight, and the juice has been okay-ed by her nutritionist.

Anyway, very interesting to see what you all thought about behaviour and sugar/preservatives, I'm hoping that the screeching will stop soon! Each day as it comes, huh?