Baubles, the prize that should never be offered
It is not uncommon for a child to prefer a bauble to a plate of chard. Even many adults if they knew that they are beneficial to health instead of so harmful would also include them in their diet. However, it is proven to take these products regularly. Negative effects in the body.
Many parents know this and therefore use this type of products as a reward in order to ration their consumption among the little ones. An activity that the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, AEP, discourages in homes since it does not really help children to understand the risks who have this kind of products for health.
Teach to eat responsibly
Pediatricians warn that using the bauble as a reward for a good activity or in many cases as a 'gift' between relatives is not recommended. These actions help the child not really understand that these products are harmful, but that they see them as something extraordinary and that must have at all costs, which is missing an important lesson at the nutritional level.
At this point it is best to make the little ones understand that the trinkets, although they are very rich, are a product that if abused, numerous health problems will appear. The mission is to teach them to act responsibly and that they understand the need to ration the intake of this type of articles.
Beware of juices and other types of beverages
Not only should the risks involved in knickknacks be taught. Other products such as packaged juices, carbonated soft drinks, smoothies, etc. they contain high levels of sugar that are also detrimental to the health of the smallest and that are seen as less dangerous than sweets.
In addition, these products are often used as an element to quench the thirst of children, when it is advisable that they were present at meals. In the case of juices it is always better to integrate them in snacks, lunches, dinners and breakfasts, while soft drinks and packaged juices are best used on a regular basis and never as a method to hydrate.
There are always exceptions
These recommendations do not mean that children should never try trinkets. Pediatricians explain that there are always exceptions such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, etc. Special moments that do not suppose that the intake of these products becomes a habit and also contribute to the understanding that sweets and other sugary products should only be taken on special occasions.
In addition it is always recommended that the intake of these products be accompanied by other foods since the sweets are less harmful because having more saliva and other foods, the sugar is less time in contact with the teeth.
Damián Montero
