Low carb for kids?

[debmarjs]

I was wondering if there is any books out there or plans that are good for kids. Not for weight lose just as sort of a life eating plan. My son has ADHD and I think he could benefit from eating low carb but he is very skinny so he doesnt need to lose any weight. I try my best to keep sugar out of his life but he always finds something sweet. The school has snack machines and there lunches are very high carb.

[whyspers]

I'm also interested in this! My middle daughter is vegetarian, so its out for her at least for now. She says she doesn't care how big she gets as long as she can have her pasta :( I would very much like to get my youngest daughter (4) on some type of low carb plan...not for weight loss as she is quite thin, but for health reasons. Unfortunately, she is a *very* picky eater and I'm afraid she would starve to death if it wasn't for eggs and ketchup, french fries and ketchup and Ramen Noodles! She has recently started eating toast, but other than those things, cereal and bologna and chips, she won't eat! We've tried not offering the other items, but she simply won't eat it and she refuses to try new things. Its awful because I know what her future holds if I can't somehow manage to change her eating habits now. She won't eat ANY meat except for bologna and she doesn't do veggies except for french fries (and I shudder to call them veggies).

Any input would be greatly appreciated.


L

[Smudgie]

I too am interested in this, as I have a 9 year old daughter who eats way too much junk food. Luckily for me she is very interested in anything health related, so I was able to discuss this with her. She agreed to cut out just a couple of things that we both knew triggered her to binge on everything in the house, and at first that was all I asked. Potato chips were the main culprit, and she stopped eating those accept for a low fat version she brings with her school lunch. Then, little by little I started cutting back on the candy bars, muffins, and cakes, and replacing them with other things that aren't quite as full of sugar.

Eventually her tastes began to change, and I started offering her more fresh meat, like chicken breasts and pork chops for dinner, and less of the frozen chicken nuggets and french fries. That was what really caused a drastic reduction in the amount of snacks she was consuming.

It takes time and patience, but it can be done. :)

[LadyBelle]

I think sugar busters or CAD had books for adolecents. On the Atkins site he has information about kids following low carb diets. They don't recomend anyone under the age of 12 try to diet without the help of a pediatrician, but they do recomend kids eat much less refind sugar and overly refined carbs.

Make changes slowly. When the bagles run out, don't buy more. Put peanut butter on cheese isntead of bread, and fix eggs for breakfast not cereal. Make LC meals for you and have them join in. I wouldn't limit any fruits though.

[klawrence]

We've tried not offering the other items, but she simply won't eat it and she refuses to try new things.

It doesn't sound like she's eating very well for a four year old, low carb or not. Ramen noodles, ketchup, french fries, while these food are fine in moderation, it's disturbing that they're making up the bulk of her diet. Without vegetables, where is she getting her nutrients? Do you make her specail meals because she's such a picky eater? If so, maybe you should stop. Cook a balanced meal and don't give her any other options.

[LCBarbara]

I would simply steer them away from refined sugars and processed grains as much as possible. Use fruit and yogurt smoothies instead of cookies and icec ream. Try to make what they eat as healthy as possible: baked fries instead of deep fried, turkey balogna instead of regular

There are numerous reasons for very young children to be picky eaters. Neophobia, or fear of new things, is a common reaction children have to food. Try to counter this fear through education and gradually introducing new foods into the child's diet. We can set a good example by buying only nutritious foods and eating the very things we want our children to eat. Some children use refusing to eat a food as a way to gain attention. Respond calmly and consistently when a child refuses a food. Also, be aware that children have a natural tendency not to like foods when they are allergic to them.

Whyspers, if you are really concerned, talk with her pediatrician about the situation.

Good luck! :wave:

[Javy]

This is where it all starts!!!
IF I have or had kids I would try to keep them on a low-sugar, low-starches diet. Plus incorporate one-two green vegetables a day, and when we go to Mcdonalds I would encourage them to get TWO double quater-pounders with cheese instead of the value meal with the fries and sugar drink.

[Karen]

Ramen noodles, ketchup, french fries, while these food are fine in moderation, it's disturbing that they're making up the bulk of her diet. Without vegetables, where is she getting her nutrients?
This described my neice to a "T". She and her mother are now on CALP. My neice is nine.

The Heller's have a book called Carbohydrate Addicted Kids that goes throught the process of switching children to a saner way of eating. They are both doing very well on it. My neice is no longer falling asleep at school and her tantrums have subsided. I think it's a good book to check out. There are also a few threads in the LC Parents Forum on this topic.

Karen

[LadyBelle]

If you don't have french fries or romen in the house, she can't have any that simple. Instead offer her different alternatives such as string cheese, an egg, when ever you do have. She may throw a tempertantrum, but if that doesn't get her attention and what she wants, she'll start trying to find a way to comprimise. My son is almost 4 now. He won't eat veggies either, I sometimes can sneak them into other things but its hard. He does eat fruit, eggs, yogurt, string cheese, peanut butter on cheese, and other healthy snacks. We do have easter candy left and splenda sweetened icecream bars. He's allowed 1 treat after nap. Other then that he's given healthy choices and allowed to choose what he wants. Yes he does ask for more treats, but gets a firm no. If he doesn't choose to eat anything that's offered then he doesn't eat. Usualy he'll get hungry before the evenings over and ask for one of the earlier choices.

[LadyBelle]

Is she on a multi vitamin btw? The over the counter ones have alot of sugar so our pediatrician was more then willing to prescribe one for us that is still a good tasting chewable, but without the sugar. Added bonus, perscription means our insurance pays for it.