Low-Carb Diets Bad For Kids

BabsieGirl · 03-04-2004, 11:12 AM

Dieticians: Low-Carb Diets Bad For Kids
Carbs Needed For Children's Brains, Energy

UPDATED: 1:18 p.m. EST March 2, 2004

HOUSTON -- Low-carbohydrate diets are the latest rage in losing weight. It seems more and more people are dropping pounds on the Atkins and South Beach diets.

But these weight-loss plans can be dangerous for kids. Carbohydrates are needed for healthy bodies and brains, according to dieticians.

"Carbohydrates is the body's preferred source of fuel, so for an active child, that's a problem," said Jennifer Thomas, a dietician with Texas Children's Hospital in Houston.

As the senior clinical dietician at the hospital, Thomas treats a lot of overweight children. But she said low-carb, high-protein diets are not the way to solve the problem.

"Some of the low-carb diets eliminate things that we know have known health benefits, so I have some concerns with that," Thomas said.

Thomas is talking about plans that limit or eliminate whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

Registered dietician Catherine Kruppa said that children need carbohydrates to think.

"Carbohydrates are the only fuel for your brain," Kruppa said.

Teenager Natalie Garza decided she needed help with her eating habits since she was overweight.

"At school, I would usually eat French fries or a bag of chips and a Coke, and stuff like that," Garza said.

Garza, who wore women's size 14 pants, had to alter her dance team uniform so fabric could be added.

"We were all excited to get our dance costumes and they looked great on everybody else but me," she said.

She went to Texas Children's, where a dietician showed her how to eat and exercise properly without fad diets. She has lost 26 pounds in less than six months.

"I'm very happy now because I can shop at all the stores that my friends shop at. I can wear the new cool clothes that everybody else is wearing," Garza said.

She said her new eating habits are easy -- three meals a day and one snack.

"That way, your metabolism is always running," she said.

Garza also limits portion sizes.

"I can eat everything. I just have to watch the portion size. You should be able to fit it in the palm of your hand," she said.

Exercise is also important.

"I have to do my crunches, my push ups," Garza said. "This is the healthy way to lose weight."

Dieticians said a lot of people on a low-carb plan eat lean meats and a lot of vegetables. They said that if people had done that in the first place, they would not need to go on a low-carb diet.

**Prince** · 03-04-2004, 12:56 PM

I was going to respond to each quote, but as I got about half way thru it was so rediculous I felt that I would actually be dignifying the article by responding to it.

I am not saying that I agree or disagree, just that the article is laughable in it's inaccuracies, and the way it applies it's "facts" to children's physiology.

If I had an obese child I would definitely adjust their carb intake, especially sugar, and high glycemic carbs as well as tapering their carbs down in the afternoons and evenings.

I would think that reducing carb intake (in a sensible manner) would be healthier than having a child remain obese.

brodus · 03-04-2004, 01:04 PM

Prince is totally right. I think any sensible nutritionist/dietician would recommend the same thing--cut the sugars, switch to healthy carbs, no potato chips before bedtime, etc.

That said, What parent would put there kid on a diet that:

Quote:

limits or eliminate whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

That's just silly.

<although I hate Atkins, I have learned through these forums that the harm of Atkins is less than the harm of being very obese, and that's who it's best for>

**dg806** · 03-04-2004, 01:28 PM

eat three meals a day to keep metabolism running..................
I can eat everything, just watch portion size..........................
"We were all excited to get our dance costumes and they looked great on everybody else but me.................

Sheesh!

camarosuper6 · 03-04-2004, 01:28 PM

Is it just me, or is everyone trying to forumlate their own "new and easier" way to lose weight?

Its pretty damn simple, especially for kids to lose weight and be in shape.

1. Eat in moderation
2. Get plenty of exercise
3. Make sure all the food groups are addressed.
4. Let the poor kid be a KID and dont overreact when he wants some ice cream or a cookie.

Thats it.

**Prince** · 03-04-2004, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by camarosuper6
Is it just me, or is everyone trying to forumlate their own "new and easier" way to lose weight?

Its pretty damn simple, especially for kids to lose weight and be in shape.

1. Eat in moderation
2. Get plenty of exercise
3. Make sure all the food groups are addressed.
4. Let the poor kid be a KID and dont overreact when he wants some ice cream or a cookie.

Thats it.

That's a bit simplistic IMO, you can go to McDonalds and get a combo meal that represents all of the food groups. In fact that is the biggest problem today, parents feeding their kids a bunch of shit from fast food restaruants rather than cooking them a decent meal. Even the schools offer fast food now, my kid has the choice in elemetary school of getting a Taco Bell burrito, it's absurd.

brodus · 03-04-2004, 02:22 PM

Quote:

In fact that is the biggest problem today, parents feeding their kids a bunch of shit from fast food restaruants rather than cooking them a decent meal. Even the schools offer fast food now, my kid has the choice in elemetary school of getting a Taco Bell burrito, it's absurd.

Right on, brother. People don't know how lucky they are if they ate home cooked meals growing up. I did, and I'm thankful.

JerseyDevil · 03-04-2004, 03:02 PM

If a kid could just cut out all of the high sugar and hydrogenated oil foods like chips, soda, crackers, white bread, ice cream, cake, cookies, candy bars, etc, etc, they would be fine.

I've never heard of anyone restricting whole grains and vegetables from their children's diet because they are too high in 'carbs'. That would be ridiculous.

**Prince** · 03-04-2004, 03:04 PM

of course these days it's rare that a child eats whole grains, or even veggies.

brodus · 03-04-2004, 03:05 PM

Quote:

I've never heard of anyone restricting whole grains and vegetables from their children's diet because they are too high in 'carbs'.

Yeah, that's what I'm saying. That's not even Atkins. Thats, like, Shatkins.

The press has always had a hard time with science.

camarosuper6 · 03-04-2004, 03:11 PM

YOUR KID HAS THE CHOICE OF TACO BELL IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL! ARE YOU SERIOUS!

Holy moly, if we got taco bell ONCE when I was in elementary school we would have all celebrated. No wonder kids are fat.

I agree, they need more home cooked meals, and when I said all the food groups addressed, I really meant in the form of good home cooked food, not some place like hometown buffet.

**Prince** · 03-04-2004, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by camarosuper6
YOUR KID HAS THE CHOICE OF TACO BELL IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL! ARE YOU SERIOUS!

yup.

nikegurl · 03-04-2004, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Prince
of course these days it's rare that a child eats whole grains, or even veggies.

reminds me...i was chopping celery one day at home and my ex boyfriend's 9 year old daughter says to me "what's that?"

huh?

she didn't recognize celery. never seen the stuff before.

brodus · 03-04-2004, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nikegurl
reminds me...i was chopping celery one day at home and my ex boyfriend's 9 year old daughter says to me "what's that?"

huh?

she didn't recognize celery. never seen the stuff before.

That is really, really sad. It's also the McDonalds marketing department's wet dream--that people will forget what real food looks like and identify eating with value meals....ick....

Vieope · 03-04-2004, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by camarosuper6
4. Let the poor kid be a KID and dont overreact when he wants some ice cream or a cookie.

That is the most important thing.

JerseyDevil · 03-04-2004, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by camarosuper6
YOUR KID HAS THE CHOICE OF TACO BELL IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL! ARE YOU SERIOUS!

Holy moly, if we got taco bell ONCE when I was in elementary school we would have all celebrated. No wonder kids are fat.

I agree, they need more home cooked meals, and when I said all the food groups addressed, I really meant in the form of good home cooked food, not some place like hometown buffet.

You think that's bad, you should have seen the look on my face when my stepdaughter told me (about 8 YEARS ago) that in her junior high, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Kentucky Fried where now all on the cafeteria menu. Unbelievable.

KiDNotorious · 03-04-2004, 08:38 PM

by "KIDS" what age-range are u refering too?

greekblondechic · 03-04-2004, 08:45 PM

You guys mock the quote about not fitting into her uniform, but you don't know what it feels like to not be able to wear what all the other girls are wearing..

IronSlingah · 03-04-2004, 09:31 PM

This article is full of bullshit. Low-carb diets have no negative effect on kids. In fact its been all over these boards that ketogenic diets have been used on kids for decades that have epilepsy and they are perfectly healthy while on the diet.

kvyd · 03-07-2004, 11:15 AM

I dont think anyone really mocked it.... but no i dont know what it feels like to not be able to wear what all the other girls are wearing..

Premo55 · 03-07-2004, 04:42 PM

Low carb diets are no good for anyone. Just eating a balanced diet with unprocessed, as close to organic as possible foods and getting some activity will solve anyone's dietary problems, regardless of age.

Peace.

IronSlingah · 03-07-2004, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Premo55
Low carb diets are no good for anyone. Just eating a balanced diet with unprocessed, as close to organic as possible foods and getting some activity will solve anyone's dietary problems, regardless of age.

Peace.

If only we lived in a perfect world.

03-04-2004, 11:12 AM	#1
BabsieGirl Fighting Endometriosis Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 7,495	Low-Carb Diets Bad For Kids Dieticians: Low-Carb Diets Bad For Kids Carbs Needed For Children's Brains, Energy UPDATED: 1:18 p.m. EST March 2, 2004 HOUSTON -- Low-carbohydrate diets are the latest rage in losing weight. It seems more and more people are dropping pounds on the Atkins and South Beach diets. But these weight-loss plans can be dangerous for kids. Carbohydrates are needed for healthy bodies and brains, according to dieticians. "Carbohydrates is the body's preferred source of fuel, so for an active child, that's a problem," said Jennifer Thomas, a dietician with Texas Children's Hospital in Houston. As the senior clinical dietician at the hospital, Thomas treats a lot of overweight children. But she said low-carb, high-protein diets are not the way to solve the problem. "Some of the low-carb diets eliminate things that we know have known health benefits, so I have some concerns with that," Thomas said. Thomas is talking about plans that limit or eliminate whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Registered dietician Catherine Kruppa said that children need carbohydrates to think. "Carbohydrates are the only fuel for your brain," Kruppa said. Teenager Natalie Garza decided she needed help with her eating habits since she was overweight. "At school, I would usually eat French fries or a bag of chips and a Coke, and stuff like that," Garza said. Garza, who wore women's size 14 pants, had to alter her dance team uniform so fabric could be added. "We were all excited to get our dance costumes and they looked great on everybody else but me," she said. She went to Texas Children's, where a dietician showed her how to eat and exercise properly without fad diets. She has lost 26 pounds in less than six months. "I'm very happy now because I can shop at all the stores that my friends shop at. I can wear the new cool clothes that everybody else is wearing," Garza said. She said her new eating habits are easy -- three meals a day and one snack. "That way, your metabolism is always running," she said. Garza also limits portion sizes. "I can eat everything. I just have to watch the portion size. You should be able to fit it in the palm of your hand," she said. Exercise is also important. "I have to do my crunches, my push ups," Garza said. "This is the healthy way to lose weight." Dieticians said a lot of people on a low-carb plan eat lean meats and a lot of vegetables. They said that if people had done that in the first place, they would not need to go on a low-carb diet.
	Don't hate the player, hate the game!http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/...the%20wave.GIF Before you talk about what you want - appreciate what you have. http://home.earthlink.net/~gwcaton/s...ctures/tmf.jpg A good marriage would be between a blind wife and a deaf husband. -Honore de Balzac Desire+Consistency='s RESULTS

03-04-2004, 12:56 PM	#2
Prince the one & only Administrator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 33,728 Blog Entries: 25 Photos: 320	Re: Low-Carb Diets Bad For Kids I was going to respond to each quote, but as I got about half way thru it was so rediculous I felt that I would actually be dignifying the article by responding to it. I am not saying that I agree or disagree, just that the article is laughable in it's inaccuracies, and the way it applies it's "facts" to children's physiology. If I had an obese child I would definitely adjust their carb intake, especially sugar, and high glycemic carbs as well as tapering their carbs down in the afternoons and evenings. I would think that reducing carb intake (in a sensible manner) would be healthier than having a child remain obese.
	SBMuscle.com - Discount Supplement Superstore AlltheWhey.com - Bulk Protein Powders CEM Products - Research Chemicals & Supplements MusclePharm - Complete Nutritional Arsenal BigBackGrips - If you lift weights you've got to try these grips! HumaneVoLabs - Foaming Transdermal Delivery System.

03-04-2004, 01:28 PM	#4
dg806 Guardian of The Homeland Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 17,261	eat three meals a day to keep metabolism running.................. I can eat everything, just watch portion size.......................... "We were all excited to get our dance costumes and they looked great on everybody else but me................. Sheesh!
	www.sbmuscle.com

03-04-2004, 01:28 PM	#5
camarosuper6 Back Home In SOCAL Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: California Posts: 3,343	Is it just me, or is everyone trying to forumlate their own "new and easier" way to lose weight? Its pretty damn simple, especially for kids to lose weight and be in shape. 1. Eat in moderation 2. Get plenty of exercise 3. Make sure all the food groups are addressed. 4. Let the poor kid be a KID and dont overreact when he wants some ice cream or a cookie. Thats it.
	"TOLERANCE is the virtue of a man without convictions" G.K.Chesterton Boot Shine and Polish $15. New Uniforms: $250 New gun and holster: $450 Looking like a stud in uniform: Priceless Girl: Me and this new guy are getting kinda chummy. Me: Good chummy? Like friends forever? Girl: Ya Me: Or Chummy like, spank my ass chummy?

03-04-2004, 03:04 PM	#9
Prince the one & only Administrator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 33,728 Blog Entries: 25 Photos: 320	of course these days it's rare that a child eats whole grains, or even veggies.
	SBMuscle.com - Discount Supplement Superstore AlltheWhey.com - Bulk Protein Powders CEM Products - Research Chemicals & Supplements MusclePharm - Complete Nutritional Arsenal BigBackGrips - If you lift weights you've got to try these grips! HumaneVoLabs - Foaming Transdermal Delivery System.

03-04-2004, 03:02 PM	#8
JerseyDevil GO Buckeyes! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Southern, NJ Posts: 5,180	If a kid could just cut out all of the high sugar and hydrogenated oil foods like chips, soda, crackers, white bread, ice cream, cake, cookies, candy bars, etc, etc, they would be fine. I've never heard of anyone restricting whole grains and vegetables from their children's diet because they are too high in 'carbs'. That would be ridiculous.

03-04-2004, 03:11 PM	#11
camarosuper6 Back Home In SOCAL Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: California Posts: 3,343	YOUR KID HAS THE CHOICE OF TACO BELL IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL! ARE YOU SERIOUS! Holy moly, if we got taco bell ONCE when I was in elementary school we would have all celebrated. No wonder kids are fat. I agree, they need more home cooked meals, and when I said all the food groups addressed, I really meant in the form of good home cooked food, not some place like hometown buffet.
	"TOLERANCE is the virtue of a man without convictions" G.K.Chesterton Boot Shine and Polish $15. New Uniforms: $250 New gun and holster: $450 Looking like a stud in uniform: Priceless Girl: Me and this new guy are getting kinda chummy. Me: Good chummy? Like friends forever? Girl: Ya Me: Or Chummy like, spank my ass chummy?

03-04-2004, 08:38 PM	#17
KiDNotorious Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: 313 Michigan Posts: 102 Photos: 1	by "KIDS" what age-range are u refering too?
	"Real Eyes........Realize.........Real Lies"

03-04-2004, 08:45 PM	#18
greekblondechic I'm special :) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 7,791	You guys mock the quote about not fitting into her uniform, but you don't know what it feels like to not be able to wear what all the other girls are wearing..

03-04-2004, 09:31 PM	#19
IronSlingah Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 306	This article is full of bullshit. Low-carb diets have no negative effect on kids. In fact its been all over these boards that ketogenic diets have been used on kids for decades that have epilepsy and they are perfectly healthy while on the diet.

03-07-2004, 11:15 AM	#20
kvyd Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Nor MI Posts: 1,130	I dont think anyone really mocked it.... but no i dont know what it feels like to not be able to wear what all the other girls are wearing..

03-07-2004, 04:42 PM	#21
Premo55 Mic Murderer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 1,059	Low carb diets are no good for anyone. Just eating a balanced diet with unprocessed, as close to organic as possible foods and getting some activity will solve anyone's dietary problems, regardless of age. Peace.
	T DOT O.

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