Sunday, 29 September 2013
Sugar Equals Meltdown in my House
I should have made the association earlier, I should have know better. But today, I narrowed it all down. I have a very good child. She rarely needs to be asked twice to do something and is quick to apologise when she finds out she has done something wrong. But after a visit to a local fair, and after consuming sugary foods that are totally out of the ordinary in our daily routine, she had a breakdown - meltdown is more like it.
After repeatedly asking her to do this or stop that, I defaulted to a time out which was followed by a loud and hard "NO!!". I was dumbfounded. This doesn't happen - often...
When does this typically happen? I quickly put two and two together, after making the association with several other occasions, like Easter, Christmas and birthday party meltdowns, these all followed copious amounts of sugar intake. How am I going to deal with this stuff going forward? Obviously I am not going to deprive my child of these fun events with delicious treats, and I cannot hover for the rest of her life, so I must control and educate as much as possible.
Since It starts with me, I did a bit of research on how to avoid those crazy meltdowns post sugar. I found out that it is not actually the sugar that causes them but the rise in insulin levels. I learnt that to offset that sugar crash you can follow the indulgences with something heartier like proteins (cheese, soy, beans, meat, nuts) and fiber (fruits, veggies, whole grains) which slow the rise and fall of the blood sugar levels.
I am making a conscious decision to educate myself further, read more books, participate in more forums, because seriously, these meltdowns really make it tough. Something I have already found and want to share is a chart of suggested fruit juice intake by pediatrician Barbara Frankowski, M.D.:
So, I personally, am not going to deprive my child of the occasional sugar indulgence, as long as it is occasional. I don't want a child dependent and needy of sugar, but I understand the want for sugar and the carvings that go along with it, because it happens to me! So, I have to do like my parents did for me and build the foundation and the education of how sugar is not good for us, the rest will be up to her.
After repeatedly asking her to do this or stop that, I defaulted to a time out which was followed by a loud and hard "NO!!". I was dumbfounded. This doesn't happen - often...When does this typically happen? I quickly put two and two together, after making the association with several other occasions, like Easter, Christmas and birthday party meltdowns, these all followed copious amounts of sugar intake. How am I going to deal with this stuff going forward? Obviously I am not going to deprive my child of these fun events with delicious treats, and I cannot hover for the rest of her life, so I must control and educate as much as possible.
Since It starts with me, I did a bit of research on how to avoid those crazy meltdowns post sugar. I found out that it is not actually the sugar that causes them but the rise in insulin levels. I learnt that to offset that sugar crash you can follow the indulgences with something heartier like proteins (cheese, soy, beans, meat, nuts) and fiber (fruits, veggies, whole grains) which slow the rise and fall of the blood sugar levels.
I am making a conscious decision to educate myself further, read more books, participate in more forums, because seriously, these meltdowns really make it tough. Something I have already found and want to share is a chart of suggested fruit juice intake by pediatrician Barbara Frankowski, M.D.:
* No fruit juice for babies under 6 months
* No more than 6 ounces a day for babies 6 months to 1 year
* No more than 6 ounces a day for kids 1 to 6
* No more than 12 ounces a day for kids over 6.
I even feel that these may be lenient, but for households that actively have juice int heir cupboards or it is a regular part of their families diet, it is a great chart for you.
Also, a great resource I always lean to when I am looking for a food that will satisfy that sugary craving but without all the nasty white stuff in it is www.joyoushealth.com . She has been a saviour in my house when we have been cleansing and/or looking for healthier alternatives. So, I personally, am not going to deprive my child of the occasional sugar indulgence, as long as it is occasional. I don't want a child dependent and needy of sugar, but I understand the want for sugar and the carvings that go along with it, because it happens to me! So, I have to do like my parents did for me and build the foundation and the education of how sugar is not good for us, the rest will be up to her.
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