The health of your child is a top priority. There are lot of reasons to cut down sugar in their diet-- cardiovascular issues, weight gain and metabolism effects. That's not even taking into consideration tooth decay and the destruction of tooth enamel. Here are some ways to help cut down sugar in your children's diet and encourage healthy choices.

1. Cutting Down Sugar in
CHILDREN'S
DIETS

2. The Food and Drug
Administration advises all
Americans ages 3 and up
to consume fewer than
12 teaspoons of added
sugar a day.
GOOD HABITS
SHOULD BE
INSTILLED EARLY
IN LIFE.

3. CHECK
THE LABEL
ALWAYS

4. About half of all sugar consumed by
Americans comes from sweetened drinks. For
children, this sugar typically comes from soda,
juice and sports drinks. While you may already
know to consider soda a treat for special
occasions, it is also important to check the
sugar content in the juice or sports drinks your
child may consume more often. Opt for sugar-
free or low-sugar options or encourage your
child to consume mostly water and milk.
Always check the label for sugar
content in your children's drinks.

5. HEALTHY
ALTERNATIVES
FIND

6. You probably give your child a snack a few
times a day. But are you monitoring what
you're administering? Instead of fatty, sugary
foods, try healthy alternatives like apple
slices and other fruits, veggie sticks and
cheese.
Replace high-sugar snacks with
healthy alternatives.

7. SMARTER
MEALS
PREPARE

8. On-the-go families have a tendency to eat
conveniently. Unfortunately, eating
conveniently also often means eating foods
that are pumped with sugar. To avoid this, try
to prepare home cooked meals in advance
so that you can just throw them in the oven
for convenience on those busy days.
Prepare smarter, healthy meals

9. BE A GOOD
EXAMPLE
AS A PARENT,

10. If your child sees you chugging down soda and
eating candy all the time, they'll want to do it
too - so be a good example and be sure that
you talk to your child about how it's important
that candy and other high-sugar foods and
drinks are best consumed in moderation. Don't
just focus on what not to eat, but why it's
important to eat certain healthy foods as well.
You can even practice healthy eating
together.
Set a good example for your
children

11. For more information about helping your
child cut down their sugar intake or for
information about childhood dentistry
contact Richard C. Caven, D.M.D. today at
(904) 645-3366
-or-
www.cavendental.com