Dr Tanya - Our Resident Pediatrician

When my four-year-old daughters eat sweet things, I just shudder at the amount of sugar they are putting in their body. I try and buy items without high-fructose corn syrup but how much do you think is okay? An Oreo-type cookie a day? An ice-pop a few days a week?

Thank you!

Coralie, San Rafael

As little as possible is always best when it comes to feeding sugar to your children. Once in a while, for a special occasion, a sugary treat of an appropriate portion is fine, but it shouldn't be an everyday part of your child's diet. You may need to clean out your cupboards so your girls aren't unfairly tempted by things that they can't have.

Instead of focusing on what your children shouldn't eat, it's often helpful to teach them what they should eat. At least one fresh fruit or veggie at each meal and snack as well as 2 to 3 servings of non-fat or low fat diary products a day are important to provide nutrients your child needs to grow and develop properly.

In addition, fiber plays a very important role in keeping a body healthy. A child should consume their age plus 5 grams of fiber a day. When I challenge a child to eat his daily requirement of fiber each day before turning to other snack items, he is less hungry later on in the day for unhealthy treats. Good sources of fiber are of course, fresh fruit and veggies. Examine food labels and make sure that all of the breads, cereals and crackers you buy have at least 3 grams of fiber per serving. There are plenty of good tasting options available. Don't forget that everyone (kids and adults included) should be active for at least an hour a day. So now that it gets dark later on, go for that after dinner family walk.

Once you begin focusing on eating healthy patterns, you'll find yourself having to say “no” less often to sugar, artificial colorings and other ingredients that wreak havoc on a child's developing teeth and body. Healthy habits develop at a very young age so start now to ensure that your children have the best possible start at a healthy life.