Month: March 2024

March is National Nutrition Month and an important thing to consider for your child’s diet is how much added sugar they’re consuming. Sugar is found in a variety of food, drinks, and snacks. It can even sneak up in foods and condiments that people wouldn’t expect such as crackers, breads, ketchup, etc. Because added sugar is so commonly found, many children consume more sugar than what is considered safe and healthy. Excess consumption of added sugar can lead to conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease, and it can weaken the immune system as well. Limiting your child’s sugar intake is a key part to maintaining a healthy diet.

 

Keep in mind though that not all sugars are the same. Natural sugar, which is found in whole foods like fresh fruits, starchy vegetables, whole grains, and other complex carbs, is safe to consume. In fact, foods that contain natural sugar are beneficial because they’re rich in nutrients and fiber, which slows down the digestion of sugar. Natural sugar is also important to prevent hypoglycemia, which occurs when the blood sugar level is too low, leading to fatigue and dizziness. Consuming natural sugar from fruits and other whole foods provides your children with energy. But unlike natural sugar, added sugar and refined sugar are added to foods that don’t naturally have them. These sugars come in various names and types, such as high-fructose corn syrup, brown sugar, molasses, honey, malt syrup, and raw sugar. Processed sugar in particular is the most harmful and should therefore be the most limited. This type of sugar is typically found in soda, candy, packaged snacks, and baked goods.

 

We recommend looking out for packaged foods advertised as “healthy,” including breakfast cereals, as these can contain a significant amount of added sugar. No more than 25 grams of added sugar (about 6 teaspoons) or more than 10% of calories should be consumed on a daily basis. The best way to ensure that your child is not going over these limits is to read the list of ingredients and nutrition facts labels carefully. For tips on how to read labels, check out this resource from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children under 2 years of age shouldn’t consume any added sugar.

 

Another important thing to be aware of is that sugar-containing beverages like soda and juice, as well as candies, tend to be more harmful than many sugar-containing snacks. The reason for this is because they’re known as having “empty calories” without any nutrients or fiber to aid in digesting the sugar. Treat these as treats for special occasions so that your child doesn’t develop a habit of consuming them. If your child has a strong sweet tooth, the best option to satisfy it is by giving them fruits like bananas, apples, pears, strawberries, grapes, watermelon, plums, etc.  

 

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s diet, please contact our office. Our pediatrician can guide your family on healthy eating. 

Springtime is known for seasonal allergies as this is the season when trees and plants begin to pollinate. And unfortunately, changes in temperature and more rainfall can worsen allergies. Allergies occur when the body’s immune system overreacts to certain substances in the environment. If your child suffers from allergies, it’s important to be prepared for the spring season.  

 

Common symptoms of allergies are similar to those of a common cold, such as a runny and stuffy nose, sneezing, sniffling, headaches, fatigue, eye irritation, coughing, sore throat, itchiness, and sometimes even rashes or hives. If you notice any of these, your child might have allergies and we recommend calling our office to make an appointment for an evaluation. If your child does have seasonal allergies, know that there are several options for management and that it’s essential to start right away before symptoms worsen and lead to a sinus or ear infection. 

 

One of the most important things to do is to limit your child’s exposure to pollen and mold as much as possible. That doesn’t mean your child can’t go outside, but they should stay indoors when it’s particularly windy or the grass is being mowed. They should also avoid going near pollen or decaying vegetation and dead leaves as these can contain mold.

 

At home, it’s beneficial to turn on an air conditioner and an air purifier as both of these can filter out the air. However, both the air conditioner and air purifier should be properly maintained and cleaned in order to work efficiently and help with allergies. When kids return indoors from playing outside, make sure that they change their clothes and shoes that might have pollen on them and take a bath. Pets should also be brushed when brought back inside. Regularly vacuum and dust the house to get rid of any allergens as well. A clean and dust-free house is very important for treating seasonal allergies. 

 

To help manage congestion when reducing exposure is not enough, you can give your child over-the-counter nasal sprays, decongestants, and antihistamines. If your child struggles with hives or rashes, antihistamines, like Benadryl, can alleviate these symptoms. For itchy or irritated eyes, over-the-counter eye drops for allergies are helpful. It’s important to first to talk to a pediatrician before using any of these and to also get their advice on the proper usage and dosage. When any of these treatments don’t work, your child may benefit from allergy immunotherapy which can desensitize your child’s allergy response. 

 

Another important thing to keep in mind about allergens is that they can be especially triggering to children with asthma. Not all kids with allergies have asthma, but at least 80% of kids with asthma have allergies. Allergens can cause asthma attacks so it is crucial that children with asthma avoid exposure.

 

If you believe your child’s allergies are out of hand or they’re experiencing severe symptoms, contact our office. Our pediatrician can also guide you on treatment options and how to create an asthma plan.