Is there such a thing as a ‘sugar high’?
New York Times,
by
Richar Klasco
&
M.D.
Original Article
Posted By: LittleHoodedMonk,
2/26/2020 1:49:33 PM
The theory of the “sugar high” has been debunked, yet the myth persists.
The notion that sugar might make children behave badly first appeared in the medical literature in 1922. But the idea did not capture the public’s imagination until Dr. Ben Feingold’s best-selling book, “Why Your Child Is Hyperactive,” was published in 1975.
In his book, Feingold describes the case of a boy who might well be “patient zero” for the putative connection between sugar and hyperactivity: “[The mother’s] fair-haired, wiry son loved soft drinks, candy and cake — not exactly abnormal for any healthy child. He also seemed to go completely wild after birthday parties
Reply 1 - Posted by:
Kate318 2/26/2020 2:27:28 PM (No. 330385)
I never bought into the sugar high/behavior change in children theory, even when my own kids were little. But, I hear it all the time, especially from teachers.
6 people like this.
Reply 2 - Posted by:
hisself 2/26/2020 3:06:43 PM (No. 330422)
Don't remember sugar, but my daughter could climb walls when on artificial colors. Try, in the 70s, buying goodies without artificial colors or flavors.
2 people like this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
Sandpiper 2/26/2020 3:28:01 PM (No. 330447)
“He also seemed to go completely wild after birthday parties and during family gatherings around holidays.” “
One of my boys had wildly aberrant behavior and his grade school teacher and I went on the hunt to see if we could nail down any causes. His teacher had me keep a log of family activities outside of school and she noticed a relationship between my son’s difficult behavior and me being out of the house (for whatever reason, shopping, a meeting, etc.) the night before. In other words, changing our nightly routine showed up as poor behavior in my son the next day. My son lacked enough “internal structure” to govern his behavior and depended on routine “external” structure to manage himself. It goes without saying that my son had difficulties behaving during holidays and birthdays. Wonderful and valuable insight by this teacher! Helped us a lot in understanding our son.
I have often wondered if wild behavior on the part of some kids is due in part to simply the change from what is routine for them. Without external structure that is familiar to them they lack the ability to internally control their impulses. Hence, birthdays and holidays (and school field trips!) are difficult. Disclaimer: I am not a professional child psychologist and have never played one on TV. I speak only as a mom, with experience that might have validity outside of just my family.
10 people like this.
Reply 4 - Posted by:
Sandpiper 2/26/2020 3:37:01 PM (No. 330455)
I apologize for the second post. I felt I should finish the story -
My son, though continuing to be a challenge for his teachers, grew up, earned his Eagle Scout award, served a full time mission for our church, put himself through college and law school and is currently a practicing attorney. He is married to a beautiful wife who adores him and their three boys (she uses those words, all the time.)
All’s well that ends well.
20 people like this.
Reply 5 - Posted by:
fayebeck 2/26/2020 3:50:46 PM (No. 330475)
Just another example of "educators" absolving themselves from all responsibility for their failure to educate. Dyslexia, learning disability, ADHD, Autism etc....on an on it goes and most Americans have bought into the scam called education. Lock 'em all up.
10 people like this.
Reply 6 - Posted by:
DVC 2/26/2020 4:12:07 PM (No. 330494)
I've heard of it for decades, never saw it, never believed it. Not in any of my grandkids. My observation is that youngsters below about 3 years old only have two speeds, 100% full throttle and sleeping (0%), very little in between. Somewhere around age 2 they start to be able to modulate things, develop some middle speeds.
Never say sugary foods drive this thing, though.
6 people like this.
Reply 7 - Posted by:
or gate 2/26/2020 4:49:32 PM (No. 330526)
Naw,
Just a catch all for kids with plenty of energy.
4 people like this.
Reply 8 - Posted by:
udanja99 2/26/2020 5:10:52 PM (No. 330546)
Anyone who has ever been on a no sugar/low sugar diet knows that you have a LOT more energy when you don’t eat sugar.
3 people like this.
Reply 9 - Posted by:
bad-hair 2/26/2020 5:22:06 PM (No. 330556)
NYT has to ask? They sure as hell thought there was when Mayor Mini-Mike said there was.
2 people like this.
Reply 10 - Posted by:
chance_232 2/26/2020 8:25:11 PM (No. 330716)
My nephew was on a near sugar free diet as a kid. For amusement, I would slip him a soda just to watch him bounce off of walls and drive his mother nuts.
It all depends on what your body is used to. If your not used to sugar, a sudden dose of it may send you over the edge. Similarly, I consume caffeine all day. I can drink a pot of coffee and go to bed. Many people would be up all night.
1 person likes this.
Reply 11 - Posted by:
joew9 2/26/2020 10:10:20 PM (No. 330755)
Many times when I was feeling tired I tried eating something with lots of sugar. It never worked. Coffee worked. Even if it was black no sugar.
0 people like this.
Reply 12 - Posted by:
msjena 2/27/2020 8:46:53 AM (No. 331007)
People believe what they want to believe. Birth order’s effect on personality has been debunked, too, but people continue to believe it.
0 people like this.
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How can you ask this question without mention chocolate and women or tooth decay?