“Are chocolates bad for my child?”
As kids we used to eat a lot of chocolate, however, I hear a lot on the news and from other parents that we shouldn't give them to our children. Why are they so unhealthy? And can I still give my child chocolate every once in a while?
4 Answers
Just remember that chocolate is a legalized opiate narcotic!
The amount matters. Chocolates can be full of fat and calories and contribute to obesity.
Some chocolates can have added sugar, high fructose corn syrup or artificial colors and additives. These can be excitatory for kids with ADHD and can cause blood sugar imbalances with energy highs and lows. Dark chocolate is healthy and has some good polyphenols. It's difficult to overeat dark chocolate since it's not as sweet as milk chocolate. You can give your children 1-2 servings of dark chocolate every day but make it greater than 70% dark. I like to make a trail mix for my son with dark chocolate bits and raw nuts.
High sugar foods can cause cavities and increase the risk of obesity and diabetes. High cocoa has been beneficial to blood pressure in some studies. Occasional sweets are ok with good dental care but fruits and low sugar snacks are better as the daily snack.
