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Trick
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.or Treat? |
Darlene Booth
R.N.C.P |
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.... I will wager that most teachers would prefer Halloween to fall sometime during the months of July and August. No doubt about it, this ritualistic celebration of sugar leaves our young population in a state of nutrient deficit that reeks havoc with their body, mind and spirit. And by spirit, I don’t mean those of the Casper variety, these spirits are likely irritable, emotional and down right unfriendly at times!
.... All Hallows Eve has its roots in Celtic times. It stemmed |
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empty calories. When you eat sugar, you fulfill the body’s need for carbohydrates but you create a need for other nutrients. Vitamins, minerals, protein and fat are needed to metabolize carbohydrates. If these are not supplied in the foods we consume, then they will be drawn from within the body. When we eat refined sugar, we lose B vitamins, iron, calcium, phosphorus and other nutrients directly from our own reserves. It is little wonder that our children are sensitive |
| originally from a religious festival the night before All Saints Day which honours all Saints in heaven. Over the years this holiday has had many incarnations and interpretations. Our modern day celebration has become nothing more than a huge sugar festival for a wide variety of ghost and goblins and a very profitable opportunity for the food manufacturing industry. It has become deeply ingrained as a part of |
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to the effects of sugar. Much of our population today is running on empty calories and nutritional deficiencies.
Here are some tips to help your child have their treats and eat them too:
1. Don’t allow candy to be consumed on an empty stomach.
Always include it as part of a balanced meal plan. Protein,
fat and wholesome, nutrient rich foods will aid in the
metabolization process and buffer the effect on the blood
sugars. |
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our culture and the majority of parents will find themselves caught in a catch 22 situation. I mean, how can a parent deny their child the right to procure free treats? There may even be something in that goody bag for them. I know, we usually only get the boring stuff, however, they do have to sleep sometime! But I digress….
.... Sugar and starch are carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the primary fuel source for our body and when we ingest starches and complex carbohydrates such as those found in whole foods, we also ingest the complementary nutrients that are needed to assimilate them. Starch is a complex chain of sugar units that are broken off one at a time by digestive enzymes. This allows a slow and steady supply of “sugar” in our blood stream. The result is a slow and steady supply of energy.
.... Refined sugar is a simple carbohydrate that has been stripped of all nutrition and what is left is a concentrated carbohydrate that will hit the blood stream like rocket fuel would power a Volkswagen! Overkill! You experience an immediate rise in blood sugar and a short-lived burst in energy. This rush is followed by a letdown period leaving you tired, weak and craving another dose of sugar. It is a viscous cycle. And during this cycle, you are also creating a nutrient debt.
.... Sugar is a stripped carbohydrate and nothing more than |
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2. Teachers have a hard enough job keeping students on task.
Candy has no place in the classroom – sugar interferes
with optimal performance and impairs your child’s ability
to concentrate. Keep the treats at home.
3. To minimize the risk of deficiencies, a daily multi vitamin
and mineral complex is important. Think of it as a little
preventative health insurance.
4. If your child is going to be at an event where you know
sugar will be a focus, Dr. Lendon Smith recommends
the following strategy to buffer blood sugars and mini-
mize food intolerances. His pre-party protein plan rec-
ommends ingesting protein, vitamin C [1000 mg],
B complex [50 mg each], and 500 mg of calcium half an
hour before the event. Repeat on arrival back home.
This is just as effective for adults.
5. And do not forget the ritual of brushing the teeth and the
fact that sugar consumption can lead to expensive dentist
bills.
.... For sanity and survival, you can do one of two things. Either deny participation in this annual ritual [and risk scarring them for life!], or find a happy medium and get your child through it with some simple strategies and nutritional support. After all, they look so cute in their costumes!
.... Good Health to You! |
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