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16 The Independent, Canadian Statesman Weekender, Bowmanville, Saturday, March 26,1994 Easter is a Celebration of Candies and Chocolates By Milly Ryan-Harshman They're under the sofa cushions, behind the curtains, in the potted plant, and, if the weather's nice, they're in the backyard. What are they? Easter eggs! What goes best with Easter eggs? Easter candy, especially especially big chocolate bunnies! Easter is only a short time away, and the time-honoured tradition of filling Easter baskets with candy will soon be upon us. Children will be very excited, just as they are at Hallowe'en, Hallowe'en, and teachers, parents and caregivers will be overwhelmed. No wonder that, despite research to the contrary, many people believe sugar causes hyperactivity. Tme hyperactivity is not as common common as people have been led to believe. believe. Eating sugar does not cause a child's behaviour to worsen. In fact, a high carbçhydrate (sugars and starches) meal may cause them to be sleepy. The more likely explanation for the believed relationship between sugar and hyperactivity is that children children get "hyped up" by holiday excitement; excitement; sugar is just a part of the celebration. Yet, 80% of teachers of young children believe that sugar causes hyperactivity, and 55% have suggested to parents that cutting down the sugar in their child's diet would improve behaviour. Let's examine more closely some of the issues surrounding sugar, especially especially chocolate, and children. For example, example, is it okay to serve chocolate milk in school snack programs? Chocolate milk, when drunk occasionally, occasionally, is part of a healthy eating pattern. In fact, chocolate milk has no more sugar than an equal amount of unsweetened orange juice. People are concerned about chocolate milk because because it is added sugar and contains caffeine. The added sugar is not a problem and the caffeine will only affect affect the child's behaviour if he/she consumes large amounts. When children bring home a bagful bagful of Hallowe'en candy, should you parcel it out over time? No! From both a dental and a nutritional point of view this is the least favoured practice. Two or three candies, especially especially sticky ones, will assault thé tooth enamel continuously over time, and will encourage the child to form a lifetime habit of sweets every day. Clearly, it is better to let children eat their Hallowe'en candy in as few sittings sittings as possible rather than many! Are chocolate bars a good snack for children? The TV commercials would certainly encourage you to offer offer quick energy snacks to your kids, but candy bars are usually sticky and will harm the teeth - this is also true when raisins are used as a snack! Brushing teeth while at school is not practical, so avoid sticky foods as a snack! Choosing nuts, cheese, fresh fruit, popcorn or pretzels. Also keep in mind that children can be very poor eaters and may not get enough important nutrients in their diet when they eat high calorie snacks like candy candy bars. The most important lessons to be learned about sugar and children are, first, in moderation, sugar and sugar- sweetened foods are part of a health diet. Second, children need to meet their nutrient needs for growth and development by eating more fruits, vegetables, breads and cereals. Third, and most importantly, sugar does not cause hyperactivity, but a battle between between adult and child will certainly affect the child's behaviour! Milly Ryan-Harshman is a community community nutritionist from Durham Region Region Public Health Unit. It's the happiest time of your life, but it's also the busiest! Call us at The Statesman and order your Wedding Invitations. Call us during the month of March and we'll give you 15% off the regular price. In addition, we'll give you a Wedding Photograph and Write-up, Absolutely FREE. Call us at 623-3303 and ask us for the books. You can even take them home overnight. / The Canadian Statesman 62 King Street West Bowmanville Telephone 623-3303 days a week: eight am to seven pm weekdays, nine to four Saturdays-and Sundays. If you need help outside those hours we have a 24-hour technical service phone line. We appreciate there's a lot of skepticism these days when it comes to prompt service. That's why we're working so hard to make ours even better. Cablesystems You'll see more from us. Welcome to our new service designed to make your life simpler. It works like this. Call us up. Make an appointment. Pick out a one-hour time slot. A technician will be there within that hour. End of story. No fuss, and no hanging around the house all day waiting for someone to show up. 'Don't Wait Around' appointments are available seven Rogers introduces appointments. You'll be here between &nine? onestiy?!