Processed food options like store-bought fruit juices and flavoured yoghurts are often touted as healthy products for children but in reality they may pose the most dangerto your child.
They may seem harmless but experts have warned that they may not be an ideal snacking or breakfast choice for your children as they are plagued with high amount of sugar and artificial chemicals.
This can raise the risk of obesity, diabetes and other lifestyle diseases among children.
According to paeditrician Dr Saurabh Khanna, here are the foods that could harm your child’s health.
Cereal
The packaging of breakfast cereals is what children find more attractive than the taste of it because their packages often feature colourful designs.
So the next time your child asks you to buy cereal, carefully read the labels and choose the ones with less added sugar or go for whole-grain options.
Flavoured yoghurt
Flavoured yoghurt is famously known to be healthy but they can be very high in sugar, especially the ones with fruit flavours.
Choose plain yoghurt instead and add fresh fruit to it for some organic sweetness.
Fruit juice
Fruit juice also contains hidden sugar sources despite seeming to be a healthy beverage. Dr Khanna says that naturally occurring sugars, even in 100% fruit juice, can lead to overconsumption if consumed in high amounts.
Try to consume whole fruits and limit juice intake.
Granola bars
Granola bars a famously consumed by people who are on a diet to lose weight, but they may contain a lot of sugar, especially high-fructose corn syrup and other sweeteners.
Handmade or well chosen with few added sweets and healthy components are a better option.
Packaged foods
Packaged foods like fruit snacks, crackers, even savoury snacks, include sugars that are disguised.
Spend some time reading labels and choose the ones that have the most whole ingredients and the least amount of added sugar.
According to experts, you must choose unprocessed alternatives to these foods such as homemade snacks made of whole grains, nuts and seeds, fruits, and other healthy ingredients that improve child’s meal.
Disclaimer: This may not work for everyone. Consult your doctor before trying this out.
