Over the summer, our family was beach bound. The trip was relaxing, but we did finally confront an enemy. There's only so many times you can watch your 4-year-old flip, flop, flail, and flounder around the floor. It's not that my son was bad, but when he decided to pop the cork on that bottled-up energy, it was as if Hurricane Jack had stormed the condo. There's nothing complicated about how this category-5 storm was created. That would be that white lookin' stuff, better known as sugar. Lots of it.
When Hurricane Jack finally plowed a path back home, it was way past time to take action. His daily diet was about to get an adjustment. The first thing I did was grab a bottle of grape juice, which was very popular in our house. BAM! 38 grams of sugar per serving. What? The orange juice...BAM! Another 30-something grams of sugar. Then I grabbed the yogurt I was so proud
After a few weeks of refining his menu, Jack's hyper behavior never exceeds tropical-storm status. Those hurricane days have blown over. So folks, read the labels. There's a lot of food out there pretending to be "healthy." You'd be amazed at how many of these foods are bombarded with our sweet enemy.
Kids and sugar aren't too compatible.
I only wish eating all that sugar would give me the energy of a five year old! This morning I'm really draggin'. Your story is adorable!
ReplyDeleteThanks DR and I could use an energy jolt right about now.
ReplyDeleteWhite sugar and high fructose corn syrup are evil.
ReplyDeleteEvil and so, so good.
ReplyDeleteI'm a middle school literacy teacher, and I can tell when my students have eaten the poison. They have springs on their feet and voices that screech. Then after the hyperactivity, they fall asleep on their desks. How wise of you to recognize your child's altered behavior after eating sugar. His future teachers will thank you.
ReplyDeleteWow, I bet you do see a lot of hyperactivity as a middle-school teacher. I know when I'm around my son's class, you can certainly tell which ones are sugared-up.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting.
Is this an appropriate time to mention I take at least six spoons of sugar in my tea?
ReplyDeleteIt's time, William, to rethink your sugar intake.
ReplyDelete