http://www.sugarsensitive.com/carb/low-carb.html A low carb diet is not one that children should be on; if you are on a low carb diet make sure the kids are getting what they need. en-us Fri, 02 Dec 2005 16:32:56 EST Fri, 02 Dec 2005 16:32:56 EST Weblog Editor 2.0 Low Carb Diets and Children Each year the number of overweight children in this country grows, along with this comes the problem of children aquiring diabetes at younger ages. To counter this trend many pediatricians and nutritionists are recommending that parents do more to encourage their children to eat better foods and become more active. One of the ways some parents are trying to do this is through a low carb diet. The parents have to lose weight also and so the whole family might go on a low carb diet. But, most pediatricians agree that a low carb diet is not one that children and teeneagers should be using to lose weight. One of the biggest reasons against putting a child on a low carb diet is that glucose, which comes from carbohydrates, is the brain's preferred fuel and a child who is on a low carb diet might not be growing as well as they should nor preforming as well in school. But a low carb diet also eliminates some of the foods that are best for children like whole grains, fruits, and many vegetables. All of these foods are rich sources of vitamins and minerals which are essentail for a well-balanced diet. In addition, low fat milk is often limited, and this is an important source of calcium for growing children to build strong bones and teeth. Use Other Methods for Children's Weight Loss It is clearly not a good idea to put growing children on a low carbohydrate diet and there is really no reason to do so, as there are many other options that do not restrict the intake of such important foods for children. Besides a low carb diet, which might be okay for mom and dad, try other lifestyle changes for better overall health. Do not let your children sit in front of the television or with video games for more than an hour or so each day. Discover all of the other things that one can do to fill a day or an hour! Make sure they are drinking plenty of water. Soda and fruit flavored drinks should be the exception, not the rule. Both are full of sugar and should be consumed only in moderation and after a lot of water has already been drunk. Play around with your kids. Do all kinds of fun activities like dancing together or playing a game outside, even a nice stroll. That can help them and you build calories--and a stronger relationship! Be the role model. Show them instead of telling them. Set a good example by eating well yourself and keeping active. Instead of cutting carbs from your child's diet, focus on low carb foods and complex carbohydrates instead. Although most low carb diets focus on 20 grams of carbs a day in the beginning, then jump to 60 grams a day, you can cut carbs just by counting the carbs in your child's current diet. The human body only needs 130 grams of carbs a day to function properly. There's nothing wrong with using low carb recipes or keeping low carb food in the house, but make sure your child is getting plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and milk. Those foods aren't necessarily considered to be foods with low carbs, but they aren't bad carbs. In fact, they're the best carbs you can give yourself and your children. Cut out foods made with white flour and cut out refined sugar and you'll have a good start. Keep up your child's self-esteem by not focusing too much on their weight. Integrate new ways of living and eating into your family's everyday life and teach your child through example. Fri, 02 Dec 2005 16:32:56 EST http://www.sugarsensitive.com/carb/low-carb-foods.html Low carb foods are popping up all over grocery stores these days. Learn more about low carb foods here. en-us Tue, 18 Oct 2005 13:09:57 EDT Tue, 18 Oct 2005 13:09:57 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0 http://www.sugarsensitive.com/carb/low-carb-food.html Low carb food is harder to find than you might think. Do you know what kind of food is considered low carb food? en-us Tue, 18 Oct 2005 12:56:08 EDT Tue, 18 Oct 2005 12:56:08 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0 http://www.sugarsensitive.com/carb/low-carb-recipes.html Low carb recipes can make it easier for you to stick with your low carb diet. Before you ever start your low carb diet, make sure you have some good low carb recipes on hand. en-us Tue, 18 Oct 2005 12:29:17 EDT Tue, 18 Oct 2005 12:29:17 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0 http://www.sugarsensitive.com/carb/low-carb-diets.html Low carb diets have had great results for many people. But there are risks associated with low carb diets. Get the 411 here. en-us Mon, 14 Nov 2005 13:11:37 EST Mon, 14 Nov 2005 13:11:37 EST Weblog Editor 2.0 http://www.sugarsensitive.com/carb/low-carb-diet.html A low carb diet can help you lose weight, but there's a smarter way to go on a low carb diet than choosing Atkins, South Beach or any of the other ones out there. en-us Mon, 09 Jan 2006 09:46:00 EST Mon, 09 Jan 2006 09:46:00 EST Weblog Editor 2.0