Want to know what the five worst foods for weight gain in kids are? It’s easy—just look in your child’s refrigerator! Many parents don’t realize that some of the items sitting on their kid’s shelves are causing their kids to gain weight, but it’s true. This list of the five worst foods for weight gain in kids might surprise you because they aren’t necessarily high-calorie foods like you would expect, but if your child eats these regularly, they can cause big problems in terms of weight gain over time.
#1 - Soft Drinks
Not only do soft drinks pack a serious amount of sugar, but most are also full of artificial flavors and chemicals. The USDA recommends no more than 24 ounces of soda per week for children, yet about 90% of teenagers consume more than that amount each day. Drinking soda is one of those habits kids grow into as they age—cutting it out now will help them avoid lifelong health problems. Not to mention, kids who drink soda are twice as likely to be overweight as their non-soda-drinking peers.
#2 - Sugary Cereals
Kids love cereal, but it can be filled with sugar. Instead of pouring your kids a bowl of Froot Loops or Frosted Flakes, opt for low-sugar cereals like Kashi Go Lean or Grape Nuts. When it comes to breakfast, you have lots of great options!
#3 - Cookies and Cakes
Cookies, cakes, pastries, and other sweets are full of sugar. Sugar can cause weight gain by spiking blood sugar levels, causing insulin spikes and cravings. The National Institute of Health recommends that teenagers limit their intake of added sugars to 100 calories per day (25 grams or less) to prevent a build-up of unused energy that may lead to overeating. Sugar also makes you hungry, meaning we end up consuming even more calories for the day.
#4 - Fried Foods
Kids love fried foods. And why not? They’re delicious! But what they don’t know is that fried foods are extremely high in fat and contain a lot of bad cholesterol. If you’re worried about your child gaining weight, try encouraging them to eat fewer fried foods and consume more fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. You might also want to suggest that they eat their meal with a side of rice or substitute French fries with baked potatoes or sweet potatoes as much as possible.
#5 - Potato Chips
Too many chips will not only contribute to weight gain but also serious health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. While a few chips now and then aren’t going to kill you, we recommend that you limit your kid’s intake.
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