Let’s talk about something sweet – a child’s love for sugary treats, which is totally cool! Our brains actually need a bit of sugar, or glucose, to keep things ticking. But, as a parent, I have noticed that after the sugar rush, there’s often a crash landing into couch-potato mode.
Our modern kids are growing up in a world that’s practically drenched in sugar! Take your average teenager, for instance. Between sipping on juice, indulging in soda, and chugging sports drinks, they might be downing a whopping 100 grams of sugar daily. As parents, we might blame mood swings, sleep issues, or lack of focus on teen hormones or growing pains. The reality is that all of these problems, whether they seem minor or major, can be connected to too much sugar. Recent research has unveiled that sugar’s impact on a child’s growing body is far more widespread and concerning than we ever imagined.
The basic thing to know is that if something ends in “-ose”, then it’s sugar. The simplest and most common sugars are glucose, fructose, galactose, maltose, sucrose and lactose.
Favorite Resources
Sugar has broad effects on the brain and behavior. For a quick primer with great visuals on the effects of sugar on the brain, here is a short video by Dr Eric Berg
Sugarproof is a valuable resource for parents who want to empower their families to reduce sugar consumption. It provides practical solutions to help junior racquetball kids self-regulate sugar intake and enjoy the pleasures of good food and good health. For more information, you can visit the Sugarproof website
So, the next time you are craving something sweet or watching a racquetball game, remember these champs are symbols of determination and passion. A well-balanced diet, proper hydration, and mindful sugar consumption contribute to a junior racquetball player’s success on and off the court! Just like a sugar rush or a winning shot, let them inspire you to go after your own goals and make your dreams a reality!