Learning is connected to the brain, the brain's connected to the body, the body's connected to the child...and so it goes.
We are hearing more about the "Obesity Epidemic", weight loss is shoved down our throats, get active campaigns in our faces everyday,completely bombarded by messages to get healthy.
But have you ever noticed that with all this weight loss focus, we are still getting fatter as a society? And the levels of Diabetes are increasing?
When you go grocery shopping do you automatically reach for the "Low Fat" products? Did you know that they generally contain more sugar than the full fat versions? Do you go for the pre-packaged snacks? Have you ever looked at the label to see just how much sugar is in them?
I recently watched a story on the ABC's Catalyst called Toxic Sugar. If you haven't seen it, WATCH IT NOW. It highlights some of the unknown facts about sugar, and discusses some of the research on sugar. The experts call it "Poison" and recommend it be regulated exactly the same as other addictive substances like alcohol and tobacco.
Next time you're doing the shopping, stop and have a look at some of these "healthy"items and just check the labels to see how much sugar they really have in them. Anything more than 10g per 100g or 100ml is pretty sugary.
Yoghurts - even the low fat ones are full of sugar - and if not sugar...then chemical sweetners...these are just as bad, if not worse in my opinion!
Sauces - would you eat a tablespoon of sugar? No. But we think nothing of a massive squirt of sauce.
Cereals - 30% sugar - Have a bit of fun and make your own muesli or granola.
Breads - it's in everything! Check your brands. Opt for wholemeal, wholegrains.
Muesli Bars - these babies are loaded with sugars, then add the dried fruit. Nasty. Try making your own.
Biscuits - even the plain biscuits are packed full of sugar.
Fruit Juice - It takes 4 apples to make a glass of juice. Would you eat 4 apples in one go? And you miss out on the fibre. Just as much sugar as soft drinks!
A recent study in the US showed a strong correlation between soft drinks and violent, destructive behaviour in children. The study showed kids having 3-4 soft drinks per day being more violent, moody, unable to concentrate and destructive breaking stuff. When you think about the sugar in those drinks, plus the caffeine in some that's a pretty big recipe for disaster.
I just can't help think there is a connection between the increase in the amount of sugar we consume and the difficulties many kids face in class. If a child were addicted to an illegal drug or alcohol, we could imagine the consequences and the problems they would face. Isolation, guilt, mental health issues, physical health issues, withdrawal symptoms, highs & lows. If sugar is really the way those experts describe it, does that mean to say that kids in school will be experiencing withdrawals during class? How can you learn if you are on a Sugar Low? How can you concentrate on your homework if you are having a sugar high? How can you participate in after school activities if you're having a withdrawal and lacking any energy? How can you be a kid if you're looking for your next sugar hit?
My challenge to you, is to try a sugar swap with the kids. Swap fruit for vegies? Swap sweet snacks for protein rich snacks like cheese, boiled eggs, a handful of chicken meat? Drink water with a splash of lemon or lime?
Maybe it will help? Maybe it won't. But give it a shot, and see what happens. Let me know what happens! A day, 2 days, a week from now.
Happy Learning!
PS. Check out the Learning that's Fun - Parties board on Pinterest. Lots of fun ideas for healthy snacks!
No comments:
Post a Comment