Some Healthy Treats May be Harmful
Many people want to eat healthier but may not have the time to prepare healthy snacks so they turn to pre-made, packaged snacks that claim to be healthy. The problem is, these healthy snacks might not be what they claim.
While "healthy" versions of snacks such as fruit purees or cereal bars may have less fat or calories than alternatives, they tend to have high sugar content. The amount of sugar mixed with the acidity level of these snacks create an unhealthy environment in the mouth. The acidity wears away at the enamel while the sugar invites decay-causing bacteria.
An example of the high sugar content is the fruit purees that are popular as on-the-go snacks for kids may include up to 11 grams of sugar or more per serving. Snacks that are labeled "organic with no added sugar" are still high in sugar content. Fruits contain natural sugars but also contain quite a bit of water which is why they are healthy snacks (the water and fiber from the fruit makes you feel fuller). When the fruits are pureed or dehydrated, such as raisins, some of the water is removed and the sugars are concentrated.
The high sugar content in these snacks may be detrimental to a child's overall health as well as oral health. Consuming these snacks once to several times a day may greatly increase the child's overall sugar consumption without parents knowledge.
Doctors and dentists recommend reading food labels before giving a child certain snacks, looking for high sugar or acid content. Doing research on recommended snacks may be beneficial as well.
Source: http://www.dentistrytoday.com/todays-dental-news/8643-new-snack-may-be-harmful-to-childrens-dental-health
Source: http://dentistrytoday.com/todays-dental-news/10648-some-healthy-treats-may-be-harmful
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
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