kids on atkins?
 

i hope this doesn't come off wrong, but I was wondering if anyone knows the effect of the atkins diet on children. Not to lose weight, but as a WOL. I mean if it is healthier for adults, would it be bad for kids? Obviously this wouldn't mean induction, but what about the principles of lower carb,and sugar intake. I would be very interested in any one's opinions of this, because I think my daughter may benefit from it.Has there been any studies done on this?

I think it would be great if parents cut out refined flour and sugar products from their children's lives. I don't think it would be a good idea to go super low carb, though. kids have more energy, and need more food to continue growing healthily. Cutting out the snacks and cr*p and fast food that children eat, becuase their parents allow it, would be a big help in this countries obesity problem.

As for studies, i'm sure there are probably tons of studies on childhood obesity. It only takes common sense to realize that cutting out refined sugar and flour and trans fat filled snacks would help. Less kids would go through the pain of being overweight if they were fed a whole food diet (definitely including healthy higher carb items, such as whole grains) that didn't include sugary snacks and fatty fast food meals.

thats what I thought. It hasn't been confirmed by the DR.,but i think my four year old may have a issue with sugar. I have never been one to shove candy and junk at her, but she does have a snack once or twice a day. i was wondering if it affects growth when you cut carbs back alot. Because I am about ready to nix the sugar totally. It makes her totally crazy, even in small doses.

P.S. Is it possible that children have problems metabolizing the sugar, just as some adults do?

Very MUCH so!

I think you're doing her a great favor by eliminating as much refined sugar and junk as possible. Kids do better behaviorally, socially, and in a lot of other ways besides just being all-around healthier without it.

I'm not a hardcore about it, but I do find everyone's happier without the extra sugar. My son grumbles(he's 13, it's his job!), but he still gets his treats, albeit mostly of the lower-sugar variety. He can't tell the difference between regular ice cream and no-sugar-added frozen yogurt, for example. To him, it's all good. :lol:

Kids do not need ANY refined sugars. They can get plenty of carbs from grains and fruits without having the added sugars.


Absolutely and if they don't have the problems, I do believe that it will cause the problem.

....now if I can get my husband on the same page with me and quit bringing all the candy into the house.....

thank you for your input. it means alot that we basically agree. I had to deal with alot of flack from my in-laws when we mentioned that we were cutting back on the processed junk. they told me that it was "not right" to force my eating opinions on my children. and that if I didn't take care of my own body image issues the kids would develop the same problems. I don't think its wrong to be concerned about what you eat. theres a difference between maintaining a healthy view of food, and stressing over what you look like and every calorie. personally i think if i had grown up in a home where the sweets were less available, maybe I wouldn't have such cravings now. and if I can spare my kids that, aren't I doing them a favor?

A suggested read is Sugar Busters for Kids. I read the regular Sugar Busters and it was wonderful for cutting out the processed stuff.

As far as your in-laws are concerned...you are the parent and by making healthy food decisions for your children IS your job.

Now when they get older, teenage years, and decide they want to choose a different way of eat, you can be accepting of their decisions...then they'll be of an age that they have understanding of what is going into their bodies.

I really feel that as long as a parent doesn't go OVERBOARD and make sweets more important because they're forbidden, like my neices and nephews who would eat any and ALL sugar they could cram in away from home, because the Mom wouldn't let a drop past the door...

When the younger niece was about 3 years old, they went out to Grandma's house to visit. "Do you have any cookies, Gramma?" she asked...."How about Lucky Charms?".... as Grandma laid out the treats for her to choose ONE of (a Grandma who knew to respect the Mom enough to have worked a compromise out ahead of time with the Mom...a rare find!) She gathered the box of cereal, and BOTH kinds of cookies into her arms and announced "I'm ready to go HOME now Mommy!"

:lol:

My kids are on a whole foods diet. It's not Atkins -- I just no longer buy anything that's processed for me. It's much more difficult and time-consuming, but I know my kids are eating all organic foods and aren't consuming ridiculous amounts of antibiotics, preservatives and growth hormones found in all processed meats, poultry and even a number of non-animal items! I make smoothies from scratch -- whole milk or organic yogurt and two fresh fruits in each (like banana/peach and straw/blueberry). I make my own granola and granola bars in bulk and then it's like having convenience foods around. Also I make everything from whole ingredients -- no rice from a box, etc... I'm not suggesting this is for anyone but my family. My youngest daughter has a digestive disorder and a gluten intolerance, so I was forced to get creative and work my butt off, so the whole family gets to benefit from the change. I don't know if this helps you in any way, but I just thought I'd give my input.
d.

I know two kids on Atkins for medical reasons. One because he is extremly ADHD. It has helped so much. He was a holey terror last year when he was in my class. We discovered he can't tolerate any sugar or corn sweetner. It was when they took him off refined flour that he really improved. His second grade teachers says he is just a normal little boy now - active but stable. Last year he just stood and vibrated. He had no control of his outbursts. I suppose this was some kind of an allergy, but a have another child this year that is on Atkins for a different medical problem.

You know...if it were me, I'd be really tempted to reply, "okay...exactly whose eating opinions should be forced on them; mine or the commercial food industry's? Because if I don't teach them what healthy eating is, television, magazines and billboards will have no problem teaching them their version."
It really does depend on how you present it to the kids, but I do wonder exactly what your in-laws think you're depriving your kids of by cutting back on junk food? :q:
If you want a strong, quality home you don't use cheap junky materials to build it. If you want a strong, healthy body, you don't use cheap junky materials [food] to build that, either. ;)

Well, as a kid, I did not eat bread, donuts, ice cream or spaghetti. If you saw me eat these things it was from peer pressure. I was a low carber without even trying. I was skinny and healthy. I recall some experiences that was probably caused because of my diet ( I had unusually heavy cycles in my senior year in high school ). I was fine but I made a horrible mess everywhere. I also remember a metallic taste in my mouth. I didn't tell anyone because I was afraid that I had cystic fibrosis or something. Except for the heavy periods, low carbing was no big deal, mainly because I was doing it on purpose. I probably would have been forced fed intavenously if I had done that deliberately.

thank you all! you make me feel like I'm not such a terrible person for wanting to ban the sweets.I totally agree that it is my job to combat the brainwashing society is doing. I really think it would do my daughter some good. I think sugar is just one of the triggers that i have noticed. but i want to try it before my Dr tries to put her on ritalin or something. WE already dillute the apple juice and i've been giving her fruit and veggies instead of fruit snacks. How long do you think before we will notice a difference in her behavior? EXACTLY!

I think it is a good idea! Get them used to eating low carb as a healthy lifestyle. I agree, not extrememly low carb. And, if the child is losing weight and doesn't need to, make sure their carbs are increased with the right kind of carbs. This is something they will take with them their entire life and thank you in the long run

Becky, speaking as a mom of an ADD daughter, I also tried that route for nearly a year (along with various supplements) and never really noticed a significant difference. I didn't like the idea, first of all, of putting her on drugs and second, being labeled "one of those moms who just wants to drug her kids into compliance". I cut out the sugar and most additives, stuck to whole natural foods and had her taking EFAs reported to help with ADD...no real change. She still just could not focus in school or get her homework done in anything less than 2 hours (and with a lot of tears and frustration on both our parts). Remember...this was second grade where homework wasn't supposed to take more than 15 minutes.
I finally agreed to try her on a timed release version of Ritalin, with the understanding between me and her pediatrician that if I didn't see a significant improvement within 2 weeks that I would discontinue the drug, when she started coming home from school saying, "I hate school". 24 hours was all it took to see a huge difference. That was 2 years ago. This is the first year in her school (4th grade) where the kids can make the honor roll. So far, she's been on it both quarters Magna Cum Laude with a 3.8 GPA. :D
Having said all that, definitely try the dietary changes first and see if you notice a difference. Some kids respond beautifully to just cutting out the sugar and preservatives and adding the supplements. My daughter just needed more than that.
BTW...most doctors won't 'try' to put your child on Ritalin. In most states, before Ritalin can be prescribed, the child needs to be evaluated by a specialist for ADD or ADHD and the doctor goes by the results of the evaluation. It's still the parent's decision whether or not that's a therapy they want their child on.

Something for you to look into prior to putting your daughter on Ritalin... digestive enzyme supplements. There is a strong possibility that regardless of what you do have her eating, she might not be actually processing the foods correctly or fully, and therefore the nutrients that would ward off ADD/ADHD behavior aren't being absorbed by her body. If she is deficient in some form of enzyme, no change will fix her problem, unless you fix the root of it. I am having to do this with my 21-month old -- three months ago, she developed Rheumatoid Arthritis due to a combination of deitary inefficiencies and unknown allergies. I had her panels run, and it turns out that she has a form of celiac disease, as well as a permeable intestine. She was absorbing nothing. Her potassium levels wound up so low that she couldn't come back from it. We've completely changed her diet and are putting her onto several enzymatic therapies, along with treating the overgrown yeast in her intestine.

Let me ask you this -- has your daughter ever taken antibiotics? Has she ever had an ear infection? Does she ever get sinus infections or have bouts with diarrhea? If any of this is the case, you can mention it here or PM me, and I'll give you all of my research....

I wish you all the luck in the world. I believe there is merit in modern medicine, but I also believe our bodies were created to heal themselves. Sometimes we just need a boost -- not a lifetime of maintenance.
d.

my daughter has never had any serious illnesses. once she had a cold bad enough that the dr prescribed an antibiotic, but after fighting with her for three days in a row to take it, we gave up. the dr said he wasn't sure she needed it anyway and to just keep an eye out for it getting worse. which always seemed sort of strange to me, i mean, aren't drs always saying that you have to complete the whole dose of meds in order for them to work? I believe she has had a few ear infections but they always seemed to clear up on their own, and there was never any fever involved,so maybe it wasn't a true infection? Basically she is pretty healthy, but lately the hyperness has gotten out of control.She is "on"from the minute she wakes up til late at night. She gets so ahead of herself when she's trying to tell you something that she starts stuttering. We have to keep saying SLOW DOWN. But I honestly don't know what is normal. some people say kids are just like that. but its like everything goes in one ear and out the other.so fast i don't think she really heard me at all. I'm very worried about there being something wrong with her, so I thought maybe its just the sugar.My nephew can't have "juicy juice" because it makes him bounce off the walls, so I figured I'd give it a try,even though we don't eat alot of candy anyway.The last time she was at the dr she was 4, and after all the routine tests, theysaid she was healthier than most kids he sees.Thats why i am so worried, that maybe it is an emotional or mental instability that will really affect her once she goes to kindergarten this fall. :q: :help:

That is weird about the antibiotic... but mostly because antibiotics wouldn't do any good for a cold anyway...colds are viral and antibiotics only work on bacteria.

You can try eliminating sugar (Juicy Juice, btw, although it has no ADDED sugar, is still a straight shot of sugar carbs from the fructose, as are all fruit juices) and see what effect it has.

Relax. You'll figure it out. :) SOmetimes, kids try our patience, but there's always a way.

Becky, have you tried talking to your pediatrician about your concerns and asking them what is actually within the range of normal for a child your daughter's age? It may be that your daughter is simply a "high energy" kid and pre-kindergarten is a little young to diagnose a child with ADHD (I believe they usually wait until 1st or 2nd grade to even consider evaluating unless the child is totally out of control). Once she starts school, talk with her teacher and see if she's noticing the same things you are and if her behavior is really all that different from the other children. It may be that once she starts school and starts getting used to a more structured day, she'll settle right down. :) My youngest DD is very high energy (and extremely bright) and has been since she was a baby but she can sit still and focus when she needs to, so it's not a case of hyperactivity (where the child truly is not able to control that high energy). Her biggest challenge is to slow down and realize that she doesn't have to do everything at top speed and that homework is not a race to see who can get done the quickest. ;)

Do you have any other kids? My older daughter is also very high energy, just like Lisa's -- she's three and she's going all day as well. Her problem is that she hasn't been getting enough sleep lately. That and the fact that we've been traipsing all over hell's half acre for appointment after appointment for her baby sister's arthritis. She's very jealous of the "extra attention" her sister is getting, and so she's acting up. Sometimes kids have this and it's not about sugar or diet or anything -- it's just how they're wired. Try not to worry about it, if you can help it. I know my daughter does best when I take some time for one-on-one just for the two of us every day.

I wish you a heap of luck, hon.
d.

lilly I could'nt have said it better myself, but with kids start them young and everything in moderation, now there's a word (moderation) if I learned the meaning of that word when I was young well I probably would'nt be here chatting, I would be putting on my figure hugging dress to go out, well I can dream!!

my kids have been lower carb for the past three years. both get excellent checkups at the doctors.

I haven't spoken to the dr about my daughter yet, my husband has always said he thought they would try to medicate her. and like I said, we aren't sure what is Technically Normal. I figure i will take the next few months to alter her diet to one of a healthier fashion, and see how she is doing by her 5 year check up, in june. if it is still an issue, i will definitely ask about it, hopefully it will work itself out. I am not against meds, but I agree with kidnj, we are designed to heal ourselves. I think it has just become the acceptable lifestyle to eat processed junk, and be less active and then we wonder why we aren't as healthy. I hope her diet is all it is, and nothing serious. My heart goes out to those of you who have children who have already been diagnosed with add or nutritional disorders, I can't imagine how that must feel, so I really appreciate all your advice and comments, from an "insiders" point of view. The hardest thing will be getting my daughter to eat something other than Lucky Charms! :D I have offered to make her eggs. since it is what I have most mornings, but to no luck. She just came back from my mother's house for the weekend, and I was infuriated to find that all the Healthy food i sent with her, came back home with her. THey said she wanted other stuff, and they didn't want her to go hungry, so for the past two days she has had toast with cinnamon sugar on it for breakfast, and pb&j for lunch. :bash: all the tuna fish and veggies I sent are still here. That is going to be extremely difficult, because I grew up in a home where there was always icecream or cake for dessert and a candy dish in every room. How do you deal with the other family members who might disagree with you. Do you really trust them to follow your rules when you are not with them?

For the most part, trust is not an issue with other family members who might care for my daughters. I do, however, expect them to respect my wishes if I tell them that I don't want my daughters to have certain things like sugar, sweets or candy. Generally, I don't restrict them when they are visiting someone else's home so that's usually not an issue. From my POV, they are my daughters and I am their mom. Another family member (other than my DH) does not have a right to overrule a decision I may have made regarding their diets (or any other part of their lives) unless they honestly believe that I am endangering my children. Doing so for anything but that reason is overstepping their boundaries as far as I'm concerned.

Becky, I am so sorry your parents are refusing to see things your way. It is indeed very difficult to change a child's eating habits, and be assured that it cannot happen over night. Something to help you out -- try to substitute one meal at a time, and get her used to that. To try do do it all at once will seem like a punishment. As the processed foods run out, just don't replace them. If she wants cereal for breakfast, then find her a cereal that's a compromise for both of you. There's an organic one out there called "Gorilla Munch" -- it's by EnviroKidz and it's really very good. I've tried it. It's gluten-free and actually comparably very low in sugars (Lucky Charms has per serving, 83 grams of carbs, of which 43 grams are pure sugar -- Gorilla Munch on the other hand has 26 grams of carbs per serving, of which only 9 grams are sugar). It comes in kind of a Kix flavor and in peanut butter -- not unlike Captain Crunch! So maybe you could try that with a handful of blueberries in it -- they're one of the most powerful anti-oxidant foods out there. And then, just like when you switch an infant over from formula, start mixing soy milk into her regular milk (or rice milk, or whatever you choose), a bit at a time, until you've gotten it completely changed over. Then, you've tackled breakfast. If she wants toast with cinnamon and sugar on it -- get the raw sugar (turbinado) and some organic cinnamon (which has incredible health benefits) and put it on Atkins bread.... it's similar, and it's Whole. And if she's a juice-lover, look into Odwalla juices. They're sooooo incredibly packed with good organic stuff (www.odwalla.com). They also have a ton of other products. For snacks, go to www.specialcheese.com and go to their "order" section -- you'll see "popped cheese" and bars -- they're all really wonderful (I've tried them), and they're healthy, but you don't have to tell your daughter that.

If you give me an idea of what she currently WILL eat, I can find you a number of substitutes, if that would be of help. It's hard to make the change, I realize, but if I can make it easier on you by telling you specific things to choose, I'd love to help out. If you'd rather I butt out, just say so too!! :lol:

Something else to keep in mind -- modern medicine works fast, but always (no matter what anyone says), ALWAYS comes at a price. Homeopathic remedies and dietary remedies take longer to kick in (usually you can count on three or so months -- keep in mind you're rebuilding her nutrition in milligrams of nutrients at a time), but there will be no side effects, and there's always time for meds, should you bottom out all your other options.

Please lean, as you need to. Vent, as needed as well. I completely understand your desperation to fix your child, and am here for you.

And last, but not least, tackle the grandparents and any other unwilling participant last. If you really need to smack them with something -- give them the list of side effects of the drugs they want their grandchild on, and ask them if it's really so freaking hard to follow your requests.

Be well and my best,
d.

Absolutely not! I am SOOOO grateful for all the feedback i am receiving. I don't feel so helpless anymore. My daughter is a good eater, but mostly with the simple things like chicken nuggets and she loves soup. i was surprised to see the sugar in soup! I never checked it because its not something i usually eat. If i would let her she would drink apple juice all day. I've been dilluting it, and giving her those flavored waters, she thinks they're juice, but i do worry about the effects of the other ingredients in them. She refuses to drink water, which I don't understand. I love it. We have a very hard time getting her to eat vegetables, except brussel sprouts, go figure. i though kids hated them. NO salad, she wants to just eat the dressing :lol: She has been begging me for the fruit snacks, but I haven't given in on them yet. She Loves popcorn and wants cocoa every night. but really she varies with what she will eat, as most kids probably do. Shes not big on fruit, except bananas. i think it is my fault that she doesn't enjoy natural food, because of what we have given her up to this point. And I don't want my 9 month old to grow up with the same habits.

lisa, you are right about the parents. i just wish it was that easy. when I went to pick up my kids today at mymothers house they had given y baby a chicken nugget. and maybe i'm being irrational, but when I said "she only has 2 teeth!" they said "its ok, she loves it. she also had some of this cheese sandwich" I was furious, because I don't want her to develop food allergies from new things shes not ready for. And i certainly don't want to use the fact that she WOULD eat it, as a guideline for what she SHOULD eat, don'tyou agree? but it is not just food, I have been battling my parents for years on what I want as pertaining to my kids. the little things, like them going to bed at a certain time, are not followed, or letting her skip dinner and still get icecream later. i know grandparents are "supposed" to be more lenient withthe kids, but I feel they totally undermine my rules. its at the point where I'd like to not let them sleep over there anymore, but I worry that would hurt my kids too much. I spoke to my husband tonight about what we've been saying here, and he has agreed to support me in whatever changes I wish to make to their diet, as long as he doesn't suffer :D His famiy likes to give my kids junk too, so i feel like this is going to be very difficult, but worth it.

I'd give the grandparents the choice between getting on board with the plan, or giving up the overnights. It's THEIR choice since they want the privelege of having the kids over. I don't give the junk my in-laws give my son much thought, since he doesn't see them very often and it's not worth fighting over, but if the visits are frequent, the consequences are greater, diet-wise.

They say grandparents and grandchildren are so close because they have a common enemy. ;)