The incidence of overweight and obesity is continuing to rise in parallel with the popularity of sedentary pasttimes such as the internet and video games.  Many children now spend around 20 hours each week watching TV.  These problems are exacerbated by parents’ concerns about access to safe outdoor environments for free play.  Emotional, mental and psychological stress in children is frequently associated with an increased consumption of fast foods and confectionery.  The socio-economic and financial circumstances of families also dictate both food selection and quality for many children.

When all of the contributing factors to childhood weight gain and obesity are considered, the single most important factor usually comes down to food. Children are eating far too much of the wrong types of food.  They gravitate to foods that give instant energy and immediate satisfaction.  These are usually processed foods, predominating in sugars, salt, refined carbohydrates and fat, and loaded with concentrated flavours.  These same foods cause a rapid increase in blood sugar and insulin levels, which sets the scene for weight gain.  When blood sugar and insulin levels are high, excess food calories are converted into body fat.  It’s as simple as that.

Modifying children’s diets by incorporating foods which cause a slow and steady rise in blood sugar will stabilise blood insulin levels.  This stops weight gain via fat production and actually facilitates weight loss.  As an added advantage, when glucose and insulin levels are stable, children tend to lose their food cravings.  Much has been said recently about focusing on foods which have a low glycaemic index (GI); i.e. cause a slow rise in blood sugar.  The secret, however, is to create entire meals which do the same thing while offering maximum nutrient density.  

Miriam has successfully produced delicious recipes in this book which offer children optimal nutrients for proper growth without promoting excessive fat production.  

This book contains numerus blood sugar balancing recipes suitable for snacks, lunch boxes, school tuck shop, smoothies and all meals.

Children who are already overweight will experience a slow and safe weight reduction if they adhere to the suggested program outlined herein.  Parents of infants and toddlers will appreciate that the key is to start children on these meals as early as possible, before they develop a “sweet tooth” or the need for concentrated sugar, fat, salt and added flavours.