Not hyperbole. Not anymore. The facts are clear. Proof is readily available. Any quick engine search will support the claim. SUGAR is detrimental for children’s well-being.
The following post was written November 9, 2023. The logic continues to ring true today. The advice is not startling but rather simply stated. It’s parental guidance that is now supported by the new US Dietary Guidelines.
Parents are now justified. They have reasonable proof to insist their children make better nutritional choices during their years of growth and development.
Suzanne Rightley promotes children’s health via her health-motivated fictional books for kids ages 10-14. Find her books on Amazon today to support your efforts in securing a healthy future for your children.
Only 1 in 3 kids, aged 8-18, say they enjoy reading in their free time. Reading — for enjoyment — is at its lowest point in 20 years. Interestingly, children’s overall health is also at it’s lowest point. (54% of US kids have at least one chronic disease)
This should come as a “canary in the coal mine” warning for parents, teachers and… children’s authors.
Furthermore… according to the National Literacy Trust… many children associate reading with endurance rather than enjoyment. Reading! A drudgery! How is that even possible?
Additionally, it’s not only about how often kids read. It’s more about a lack of motivation and emotional connection with books.
Again—as an early warning—kids losing their love for fiction indicates a larger, more serious problem. Could this issue parallel their general declining energy and health?
Question: Why is this growing lack of interest in reading, and declining health among today’s youth happening now?
Too Much Screen Time
Digital influences are constant distractions for kids.
Bite-size posts and videos provide instant gratification
Reading – by comparison – seem tedious and less stimulating
To Do: Provide structured environment. Set daily limits, establish screen-free zones (before bed, during meals, face-to-face conversation), physical screen-free-zones (kid’s bedroom), stop non-stop background TV. Encourage new habits. Promote hobbies, sports, encourage reading time. Plan family time, and get outdoors.
Too Hard to Connect With Literary Content
Reading feels like schoolwork
Books might not connect with their interests
Books mean searching and searching takes time and effort
To Do: Help kids find books on topics they like. Read aloud, even as they get older. Use, but limit time spent on audiobooks to build vocabulary.
Too Difficult/Too Frustrating
Reading requires comprehension and can be embarrassing or frustrating for kids who do not reach their age levels
Feeling overwhelmed if content is too complex for their reading abilities
Feel defeated before they even start
To Do: Let kids pick books they enjoy. Set up a quiet time to read with them. Do not criticize. Instead, celebrate achievements regardless how small. If possible create a comfortable reading space.
Too Busy
Kids have schedules and extracurricular activities that compete with reading time
Homework takes up valuable time away from reading for enjoyment
To Do: Keep interesting books handy. Encourage some reading as part of the bedtime routine. Use car rides as an opportunity to read. Model reading as an enjoyable moment in an otherwise busy day.
Then Factor In The Need for Kids’ Health Awareness
If we want children to understand the chronic diseases that might affect them… Then guess what? Reading is involved. Yikes.
Parents, teachers, and children’s authors must-of necessity-become much more creative.
If regular fiction is BORING and a CHALLENGE to one third of today’s kids, then how can health-awareness fit in?
Additionally, where would fitness guidance, in book-form, fit in?
To Do: Support a Developing New Genre of Fiction for Kids: Health-focused Kid Heroes
Introducing Suzanne Rightley’s Kid Heroes…
Brea
Brea, aka Granola Brea, is a 12-year-old girl who is driven by health. She aspires to become a consumer advocate when she grows up. In the meantime – she keeps busy. She writes a monthly article for her local paper. Brea holds a summer job as a camp nutrition counselor for at-risk teens. She also hosts a kids health-based podcast.
Nevin, aka Nerdy Nev and/or Smartypants (not his preferred nickname for obvious reasons). Nev has a high IQ. He has several distinct goals, all of which sees him attending university for a few years. In the meantime, high school is providing practical experience in promoting health to his peers. Is it smooth-sailing? Ah… not so much, but nothing keeps this health-nerd down.
Maxine, aka Maxie is dedicated to nutrition and fitness… and for good reason. She’s healthy now – thankfully, but that wasn’t always true. Her story is in developing stages as this blog is being written. Stay tuned for her first book in 2026.
Learn more about Suzanne’s books on her author page.
“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.” Emily Bronte
Colourful leaves and distinctive Fall scents offer mood building moments along local walking paths. So, enjoy the crisp air during those brisk walks and take advantage for health’s sake!
The sounds, sights, and scents of Fall
Beyond the emotional well-being and brain health aspects, walking is further touted as one of the best forms of exercise.
The Many Benefits of Walking
Cardiovascular Health – reduces the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke
Weight Management – burning calories means weight loss or maintaining a healthy body weight
Mental Health(main topic of this post) – improves sleep quality, reduces stress, and can boost your mood
Chronic Disease Prevention – helps prevent or manage conditions like type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, arthritis, to name but a few diseases linked with metabolic syndrome
Immune Function – regular walking enhances the immune system helping to stay healthier and recover faster from illnesses
Muscle and Bone Strength – reduces risk of osteoporosis and improves muscle endurance
Breathe and Enjoy
Walking has a Positive Impact on Mitochondrial Function
Regular walking promotes the production of new mitochondria in cells. Which for us means more energy.
Walking helps your mitochondria work efficiently by producing more ATP … that much needed energy.
Daily strolls can help slow down cellular aging.
All of the above is great! Sure! Nonetheless, healthy mitochondria should not be our focus when we lace up our walking shoes. Rather anticipate what a stroll can give us, like peace of mind, which improves overall mental health, in an otherwise stressful world (thinking politics but let’s not go there)…
Hence the reason for an enjoyable and peaceful walk!!
Take Advantage of All Things Autumn
So, get out there. Enjoy the season. Take a few pictures and share photos from your place in the world.
And remember to breathe deep, smile… and… brace yourself for the soon coming winter (which isn’t so bad – it’s all in the attitude).
Suzanne writes children’s fiction stories to bring a little humour and stress-free moments that children need as well.
Awareness of the harms of ultra-processed foods is growing! YAY! People are learning that these products are toxic to human health and the reason for most metabolic problems plaguing literally millions today.
People are getting it!
Thanks to Robert Kennedy Jr, that awareness… hit the Trump stage recently, and a bunch of us got a tremendous boost to our persistently hopeful outlook for the health of men, women, and children throughout the world.
This ultra-processed food nightmare is not a new topic for many of us… but it is an eye-opener for literally thousands worldwide. It is a story that must be told and, if Kennedy has any say… he’ll tell it. Corporate greed exposed.
Wait… There’s more…
Kennedy endorsed Calley and Casey Means and shortly thereafter, Megyn Kelly interviewed Casey on her show. Their primary topic was on… are you ready for this… seed oils.
Yes, they exposed the damage of consuming these horrible oils on Kelly’s platform… a platform that boasts over 2 million followers. (Insert an excited fist bump here!)
But let’s not forget the trailerblazers…
As the awareness grows… and make no mistake it is growing… we should take a moment to acknowledge the many dedicated doctors, scientists, advocates, and lay people from across the globe who worked tirelessly to bring us the facts.
Without their efforts, many of us would still be consuming this sludge. Because of the many books, published papers, podcasts, video clips, shorts, and etc… we have avoided literally dozens of so called ‘food’ aisles for years.
Let’s acknowledge a few modern day heroes…
We learned that saturated fat isn’t the ‘bad guy’ from pioneers like Nina Teicholz. Her 2014 book, The Big Fat Surprise, continues to educate and is considered to be a ‘reference’ source for many.
Dr. Chris Knobbe’s 2023 book, The Ancestral Diet Revolution is another excellent publication detailing… well… everything you need to know about how we got into this mess in the first place.
You can’t hide the truth forever…
“Nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”
Matthew 5:15 (AMP)
Note: The above biblical quote seems to be taken a little out of context, but if ‘light’ reflects ‘truth’… then the truth can’t be hidden for long. Eventually, it comes to light, and all who learn of this truth are given the opportunity to gain from it. (In this case… we gain better health!)
Back to our modern day heroes…
Books by Gary Taubes, Dr. Robert Lustig, Dr. Jason Fung, Dr. Ben Bikman are among the many who have exposed the effects of ‘added sugar’ upon metabolic health… specifically, insulin resistance.
They have helped us understand diabetes at the cellular level and we now recognize that the conventional ways of treating this pandemic have NOT been the most effective.
Diet, exercise, and intermittent fasting now play key roles in recovery and… most importantly… PREVENTION.
Then there are the podcasters… Dr. Mark Hyman, Mike Mutzel, Max Lugavere, Dhru Purohit, Dr. Peter Attia, Jesse Chappus, Dr. Suneel Dhand, and many, many others. Untold hours of discussion, explanations, data, signs and symptoms, and reasonable conversations have all contributed to the awakening the world is desperate for.
A special thanks to the aforementioned ‘pioneers’ for their years of dedicated service. Without their groundbreaking efforts, many of us would not find ourselves so incredibily hopeful for a major shift in health awareness with, whatever lies ahead, in the hands of Robert Kennedy Jr’s MAHA movement.
Here’s hoping our world’s population can also start their journey to health and wellness.
Whenever possible, please acknowledge the above amazing people by supporting their efforts through word of mouth to friends, family, and co-workers or online with positive comments, likes, and shares.
If you know other great trailblazers, on this quest for health and wellness, please drop a comment below to share their worthy contributions as well.
Suzanne Rightley is a children’s fiction author who presents a health minded hero in the persona of a dedicated 12 year-old girl.
Granola Brea plans on being a consumer advocate when she grows up… but she’s practicing what she preaches… now! No easy feat!
The Granola Brea Series is available on Amazon for parents and teachers who welcome a lively — often humorous — format to educate children and help today’s youth on their own health journeys.
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