Can a million mothers be wrong?

@TheHorse (203736)
Walnut Creek, California
February 3, 2018 10:31am CST
We've all heard that too much sugar makes children go nutso, and that parents throwing a birthday party for an 8-year-old should be ready for some will behaviors among the kids there. But did you know that there's very little research to support this connection, and that most psychologists consider the sugar-hyperactivity connection to be a myth? Children get hyper when they're overstimulated, not because birthday cake or Halloween candy gives them a sugar high. There have even been well-controlled "double blind" experiments to support the "myth" hypothesis. What do you think?
Many concerned parents and health organizations believe there is a link between a child's diet and behavior.
36 people like this
35 responses
@andriaperry (116876)
• Anniston, Alabama
3 Feb 18
I do not know. I always allowed the children I was in charge of to play and run off their sugar and on days I wanted to be mean I allowed them to have candy before mom picked them up sometimes buying and sending with them horns or drums. Kids love me
9 people like this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Feb 18
Ah yes, send 'em home with drums. Kids love you, but parents not so much. Heh.
5 people like this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
4 Feb 18
@kobesbuddy Nah, I don't worry about it that much. Some of the kids I work with are old enough to discuss this kin of thing with me. "Let me know if you turn into a raving lunatic because I bought you a Big Mac and Coke after we shot hoops."
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (73903)
• East Tawas, Michigan
4 Feb 18
@TheHorse When I had a licensed daycare home, sugar was never considered a problem for these kids.
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (454979)
• Switzerland
3 Feb 18
I have read from many sources that it is not at all sure that sugar makes kids hyperactive. As you say it's more the situation that makes them excited, like having a party with other kids, being allowed to do things that are not usually allowed or stay up later just because they are having a fan time with friends.
8 people like this
@LadyDuck (454979)
• Switzerland
3 Feb 18
@TheHorse It's almost the same for the adults. We get excited during special celebrations.
6 people like this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Feb 18
@LadyDuck Yes, though if the celebration is too big, I try to find one or two people to talk to.
5 people like this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Feb 18
Exactly. We experienced at a the preschool the other day. A special event. Everyone all excited. No sugar involved.
8 people like this
• Valdosta, Georgia
3 Feb 18
I think it is the situation that makes them more excited. When my kids are at home and have candy they are calm but when at a party or fun event they go wild! Lol
7 people like this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Feb 18
Exactly. It's funny how some myths persist, though.
3 people like this
• United States
3 Feb 18
When my grandchildren get together they are excited and full of energy even before they've had any candy or cake. I think there might be some connection but sugar isn't entirely to blame for kids being hyper
5 people like this
• United States
3 Feb 18
@TheHorse I think kids just have lots of energy to burn and can't sit still for long. I've always wondered about the sugary snacks being to blame but tend to think it's less to blame than we think
3 people like this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Feb 18
Yeppers. We Have a special day at the preschool the other day, celebrating trees. No sugar in the snacks (except a bit of fructose), but the kids went wild and very few slept at nap time.
5 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
3 Feb 18
I think they got that right, the sugar never bothered my kids but overstimulating children would go ballistic in my house.
5 people like this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Feb 18
Yep, that's what I observe as well.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
3 Feb 18
Having raised two sons, I know from experience that sugar has nothing to do with hyperactivity.
4 people like this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Feb 18
Yeppers, it's all about the environment. My little Berkeley CA (healthy food) boys can be perfectly rowdy (and sometimes almost out of control) without processed sugar, thank you very much.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Feb 18
@DianneN Welcome to my world. I;m trying to teach them to play "catch," but sometimes they can't help but heave any object in their hands as far as they can.
3 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
3 Feb 18
3 people like this
@pitstop (12969)
• India
3 Feb 18
I have seen my son ho berserk even when he is all alone and has something very sweet. I've seen it in many kids. I don't think it is a myth
2 people like this
@pitstop (12969)
• India
3 Feb 18
@TheHorse it is a different kind of craziness he exhibits when on a sugar high. It peaked at around 3 years and then faded away.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
4 Feb 18
@pitstop How was it different? When did it happen? Were there other people around?
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Feb 18
He's never gone beserk when he didn't have something sweet?
2 people like this
@celticeagle (157593)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Feb 18
Sugar just gives a bit of a rush and then it is gone anyway. Some kids are really hyperactive and are more sensitive to sugar. That is my belief.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (157593)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Feb 18
@TheHorse ......Everyone is different.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Feb 18
@celticeagle But a majority of youngsters do not get a sugar high from sugar.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
4 Feb 18
Yes, the research suggests that SOME kids are sensitive to sugar.
2 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90727)
• Philippines
4 Feb 18
In my opinion, it is not the loaded with sugary foods that make the children hyperactive. As children, we 5 siblings all girls grew up hyperactive too. That's because we have a big lawn where we can play hide and seek, running and a lot of games. My daughter wasn't super active when she was a kid because she's always with her nanny at home. But when she is at school, the nanny says she's so super active because she has playmates.
2 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90727)
• Philippines
6 Feb 18
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Feb 18
Yep, that sounds about right. Kids can cover a lot of ground, given the opportunity. And when they're with friends, their imaginations run wild.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
4 Feb 18
I do know that back in the 70s our toddler son was always hyper after sugar. One occasion when he grabbed the sugar bowl and scoffed it down on a very ordinary occasion he went over the top with hyperactive behaviour. Apparently research shows it's not the sugar but the chemicals to whiten it.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Feb 18
I'll have to check that out. I usually use either brown sugar or maple syrup (occasionally honey), but it's for taste reasons.
@moffittjc (118221)
• Gainesville, Florida
3 Feb 18
There's no question that overstimulation is a major contributing factor to hyperactivity in kids. I've seen it happen many times to my own children, even when they haven't had lots of sugar.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118221)
• Gainesville, Florida
3 Feb 18
@TheHorse Yeah, it gives us time for grown-up things like catching up on much-needed sleep! haha
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Feb 18
@moffittjc Yep. Or maybe paying a bill or two.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Feb 18
Yep. Eventually they crash and burn, though, giving the parents some time for grown-up things.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20368)
• Fairfield, Texas
3 Feb 18
I don't know @TheHorse . What's in the Power Drinks that makes teenagers bounce off the walls? Is that caffeine? One things for sure about the sugar thing though and that is that it rots the hell out of the kids teeth.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Feb 18
Yep, caffeine. I think kids have to learn early to brush and floss.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Feb 18
@nanette64 Alas, I'm not a part of that ritual with the younger kids I work with now. I'm not sure what happens at home.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20368)
• Fairfield, Texas
3 Feb 18
2 people like this
@Morleyhunt (21602)
• Canada
3 Feb 18
I've watched the sugar high and the crash that follows. I've experienced it myself. I guess I don't follow with the scientific research.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Feb 18
I think that any time we get really active, there can be a crash that follows. That includes when adults play sports.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323690)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Feb 18
I think in days gone by we didn't know about the sugar highs. We just put it down to being over-excited.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Feb 18
But there is no such thing as a sugar high for most kids. Does that mean we've come full circle?
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Feb 18
@JudyEv I assume there are pre-diabetic kids for whom sugar makes a difference. But for most, it's a myth.
@JudyEv (323690)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Feb 18
@TheHorse So it seems. It's official now is it? No sugar highs? Or just no highs for most kids?
1 person likes this
@m_audrey6788 (58487)
• Germany
3 Feb 18
I`m not familiar with the myth you`re saying but sugar really makes kids hyper, That`s why better avoid them with too much sweets and let them drink more water if ever they ate more of it
1 person likes this
• Germany
3 Feb 18
@TheHorse Oh ok. Thank you for the information
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Feb 18
@m_audrey6788 I added a link to an article you can check out if you want to.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Feb 18
No, that's the myth. Sugar does NOT actually make kids hyper. Stimulating or unfamiliar situations can, though.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (98526)
• India
3 Feb 18
I think 8 years old are smart...they know how to increase the work load of adults and punish them for scolding them. As long as they are younger, they haven't figured it out.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Feb 18
Four-year-olds have their tricks.
2 people like this
@rakski (112993)
• Philippines
4 Feb 18
Actually a lot of people are blaming sugar nowadays for the children's hyperactivity. But the situation they are in or like what you said the stimuli laid to them somehow makes them hyperactive like seeing their friends on the birthday party will sure mke them excited
1 person likes this
@rakski (112993)
• Philippines
4 Feb 18
@TheHorse true. My son has mild autism and most of the tells me not give him with sugar because it will cause hyperactivity but it os actually mot the case
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Feb 18
@rakski When I work with kids with mild autism, I try to bond with them around their interests, and try to get them to be comfortable with humor. Diet isn't on my agenda.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
4 Feb 18
Yep. Sugar is not the culprit.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
3 Feb 18
Who knew? That is one of those universal assumptions that almost everyone believes, a shibboleth even.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
4 Feb 18
@JamesHxstatic It sounds Yiddish. But it's after sunset here, so the Sabbath is over.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
4 Feb 18
@TheHorse It just popped into my head with this post, sorry.
1 person likes this
@HazySue (39269)
• Gouverneur, New York
4 Feb 18
I have a grandson that has a sugar flip-out about twenty minutes after eating cake or candy or cookies or.....well you get the idea. They may not have done a scientific study of it but he could certainly be a case study for the proof of that theory.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Feb 18
Real scientists never use the word "proof."
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Feb 18
@HazySue We say something intellectual sounding like "The data strongly support the hypothesis that..."
1 person likes this
@HazySue (39269)
• Gouverneur, New York
5 Feb 18
@TheHorse I guess it a good thing I am not a scientist.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35511)
• Canada
3 Feb 18
It is easy to prove children don't need sugar to become over stimulated in certain situations. But I think an overall poor diet can lead to a less calm child. Brains and bodies function better with good nutrition.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (203736)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Feb 18
I'm sure I could make a nutritionist mad after a couple of drinks at a party. Kids need enough to eat, but a part of me thinks it doesn't matter what it is. I'm a big advocate for exercise, though.
2 people like this