Autism Soccer: Too Much Candy Is Not Good: Foods For Autistic Children

This doesn't mean he can't eat snacks, just control the amount of candy he eats and make sure he eats well.

When having children, seeing them grow and learn so fast makes you feel proud of how they develop as time passes. Giving rewards is very common when they accomplish all types of challenges; doing well at school, behaving correctly, when they beat your expectations and every little thing you think they deserve a prize for. And what’s the common reward in those cases? Candy.

Kids and candy are often a topic of discussion among parents, as they ask themselves if it’s the right thing to give them candies that much. It turns out that in most of the cases you shouldn’t be giving your kid that amount of sweets. The list of reasons to stop this is very long, and it’s even longer than the benefits candy actually have on your kid’s growth.

Candy is actually very addictive to kids, and their daily consumption can make them develop preference for sweets. Also, children who are given too much candy can be in risk of suffering diabetes (directly related to obesity and overeating). The production of insulin when consuming sugar increases, which causes mood swings and hyperactivity in kids. For children with autism this could be a serious issue.

Of course, we cannot forget the tooth decay related to sugar ingestion. Candy is one of the main causes of caries in children. Fortunately, there are some good ways to remove (or reduce) candy from your children’s diet. My first advice is: don’t take candies so drastically from their diet, do it progressively and slow.

Fruits: Mixing fruits like strawberries, bananas, grapes and others can make a great replacement for candies. Since fruits are naturally sweet they offer a great snack for your children.

Granola bars: Filled with fiber, vitamins and minerals, granola bars are one of the best choices for your kid. They also lower cholesterol and blood pressure, excellent for kids who are fighting obesity or have bad blood circulation.

Fat-Free Yogurts: Yogurts are the healthiest source of calcium, proteins and potassium. Mixing yogurt with fruits makes a good replacement for any sugar-based sweet.

Dark Chocolate: Not the sugar-based one, this is the healthier version of chocolate. Dark chocolate has antioxidants which are great for your kid, and they don’t become addictive since they’re sugar free (actually, it’s very bitter and strong).

Loving is not just giving your kid everything he wants at all times; it’s about knowing what to give and why. Don’t just give him sweet candy; think about how this could affect him in the future, that’s what this is all about. There are alternatives to giving food as a prize, too. If he shows excellence in class, why not get him/her to play some sports? With Autism Soccer you’ll have the best choice when it comes to exercising and preparing for what’s to come. This is the best reward you can give your children: a bright future.