Humans are drawn to sugar for both psychological and biological reasons. Sugar triggers the release of dopamine associated with the pleasure and reward centers of the brain. Our ancestors developed in a food-scarce environment, therefore, our brain rewards us when we find highly palatable foods and pushes us to consume as much as we can while we can. This intricate reward system is still working in us today (Wiss et al. 2018). Around 75 percent of Americans could be classified as addicted to sugar. The more sugar we consume the more we want. While it's natural to want to share this enjoyable substance with children, it's crucial to prioritize their ability to establish healthy boundaries with sugar. There are two main reasons why we need to shift our children away from sugar as a staple in their diets.
Most people think that sugar in moderation is a good thing. Many would be surprised to learn that we do not need any added sugars in our diet. While naturally occurring, sugars found in fruits and some vegetables are........