Is Sugar Really Bad for You?
I've held a full range of perspectives when it comes to sugar. I used to avoid it at all costs, then I tried only eating "natural" sugars like honey and maple syrup. Then it was only stevia for a while, and eventually I realized that the more I see something as unhealthy, or even think about it it that way, the more disservice I'm doing to myself. I would crave it more, I'd feel guilty whenever I indulged as though I broke some sort of moral code. I tried using the 80/20 rule, where 80% of the time I'd eat strict paleo, and then 20% of the time I could eat whatever I wanted. Trust me, I've tried it all. And now, I'm over it.
I'm over the idea that I can't trust my body to tell me when I've had enough of something.
And I want my kids to know how to listen to their body and be able to decide how much sugar or anything else for that matter they want to eat, and understand the consequences when they overindulge.
I did an experiment the other day when my toddler asked me for some chocolate chips to see how many he would eat without me taking them away. I gave him about 8-12 mini chips at a time and he was gobbling them up. He asked for more 4 times, and the 4th time he left most of them where I put them down.
If he asks for ice cream I give it to him.
I bake treats all the time and most of the time he only takes a couple of bites.
The other day at the 4th of July parade a kid offered him something I would NEVER buy--an artificially colored lollypop. I let him have it. Even though a part of me cringed on the inside, I know his body is strong and the social experience and not being shamed or wrong for his desire to try something was worth it in my book. It's more important to me that I teach him to listen to his own body and decide for himself what his belly is a yes or no to.
I'll admit I was relieved when he only took a couple licks of the lollypop and gave it back to me, lol.
I buy really high quality foods, and that's his baseline. Yes, we eat organic, unrefined sugar; no I'm not giving him Oreo cookies for breakfast. But I do almost always give him what he asks for food wise. That said, our household choices are full of great options. I don't know what the BEST approach to all of this is, but this is what's working for us right now.
How do you handle sugar with your kiddos? I'd love to hear.
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