How much sugar is too much for a toddler?
It may make you feel better to know that, in general, kids bodies regulate their blood sugar better than adult bodies. There have been studies showing that 500 calories, eaten by a 50 yr old vs a 25 yr old, are processed differently. The 25 yr old is able to produce enough insulin, uses up the calories over the next few hours, and doesn’t gain weight. The 50 yr old has a blood sugar spike, the calories go straight to the hips, and then is hungry again in a few hours. So, when you look at the amount of junk the kids are eating, remember that they are better able to handle it than you. What would turn you into a sugar-fueled maniac is probably not affecting them. I think your best bet will be to teach them good habits and overlook the bad stuff they’re getting at the other house. When they go off to college and have to fix their own meals, you want them to have learned at least some healthy recipies. Can you teach them how to fix their own healthy snacks and meals? If you make it fun the
Judging from my own intake of Fruity Pebbles when I was a kid, they can handle amounts of sugar that would put you into a diabetic coma. I hope you don’t actually tell them that “when they ask for candy I tell them in our house we have candy for halloween and easter.” Yeah, sugar is bad, but that just seems kind of…. harsh to tell a kid and expect them to understand. They seem to be overindulged at their mothers, but I’m not sure that taking the 100% opposite position is wise either. Moderation is key.
