The allure of chocolates not only lies in their delectable taste, but also in the way they evoke a sense of comfort, indulgence and joy. A temptation for all, chocolate for kids is a treat that fills their hearts with delight.
Parents often face the dilemma of whether or not to give chocolates to their kids. Deepa Raj (35), a mom from Bengaluru, recalls that her daughter, now 11, was showered with chocolates by her grandparents when she was one and a half years old. “The dentist said that chocolate indulgence and lack of oral hygiene were the reasons for her persistent dental issues,” she says.
Chocolate consumption in kids
Dr Tushar Maniar, head of child health, Nanavati Max Super Specialty Hospital, Mumbai, advises, “Chocolate can be consumed by kids above three years of age, but in moderation.” However, it is not advisable for toddlers below two years of age, says Dr Vishwanath Bhat, pediatrician and medical director, Radhakrishna Multispeciality Hospital, Bengaluru. While chocolate in its original form (cocoa) is healthy, the added ingredients — especially refined sugar, preservatives, trans-fat, caffeine, additives and other colouring agents — can pose serious health risks for children, say experts.
How much chocolate should a child eat?
Speaking about the ideal limit of chocolate consumption, Charlotte Stirling-Reed, a child nutritionist from London, says, “Parents can ideally guide their children to develop preferences for certain foods and build on those eating patterns during the early years. Children are born with an affinity towards sweeter foods. So, it’s best to keep those food items to a minimum.”
In addition, Dr Akshay P Jadhav, senior consultant, pediatric ICU and pediatric emergency, Belenus Champion Hospital, Sarjapur, Bengaluru, points out that processed chocolates have no nutritional value. Hence, an occasional indulgence of 1–2 grams per week is the ideal limit. As for dark chocolates, toddlers as young as 10 months old can have up to 5 grams two to three times a week.
Ill effects of chocolate consumption in kids
Most children prefer processed chocolates over the dark ones, opines Dr Maniar. “Besides causing hyperactivity and lack of attention, the high sugar content in chocolates can also lead to obesity and other issues later in life,” he adds.
Susan Itty, clinical nutritionist & dietician, Aster Medcity, Kochi, Kerala, says that chocolates increase the risk of fatty liver and type 2 diabetes in children. In addition, trans-fat present in chocolates increases the risk of cardiac, kidney and liver conditions at a younger age. “Dark chocolates with high cocoa content contain caffeine and theobromine. While caffeine can cause restlessness, increased heart rate and sleep disturbances in children, theobromine, although less harmful, can also have stimulating effects on the nervous system,” she adds.
Dr Ajith Kamath, endodontist, Clove Dental, Bengaluru, explains, “Having sugar in the mouth for long periods causes breakdown of enamel in the teeth.” It also reduces the pH threshold of the oral cavity, which could lead to tooth decay in kids, he adds.
For toddlers below two years of age, eating sticky chocolates can increase the risk of accidental ingestion, choking and throat infections, cautions Dr Jadhav.
Moderate consumption can be helpful
According to some experts, moderate consumption of chocolate in its original form is not harmful. “Dark chocolates without any additives can be given to children after 8–10 months of age,” says Dr Jadhav. However, he cautions that parents must monitor the quality and quantity of chocolates consumed by their children.
“The higher the cocoa content in the chocolate, the healthier it is. Cocoa is rich in flavonoids, which are antioxidants that aid heart health,” says Dr Kamath. He explains that dark chocolates can aid in:
- Sensory stimulation of the tongue
- Activating the hypothalamus
- Increasing dopamine for activating the pleasure centres in the brain
In children, a small piece of chocolate as an occasional reward can result in better social behaviour and intellectual skills, he adds.
What parents should know
According to experts, parents should be aware of the following measures while giving chocolates to their children to avoid potential health complications:
- Chocolates are not okay for a child if they have episodes of irritability, crying, cold, throat infection, dry cough and acute wheezing within 24 hours of consumption.
- Parents must ensure that the child drinks warm water after eating sticky chocolate to avoid choking and infections of the throat and neck.
- While offering chocolates to little ones, it is important to choose moderate amounts of the darker varieties. In addition, the caffeine and sugar content should also be checked.
- Oral hygiene practices like thorough swishing of the mouth with water or gentle tooth brushing prevent dental decay.
- Chocolates or sweets should be avoided late at night, and parents should lead by example.
- Experts recommend that 100 grams of chocolate should contain less than 20 grams of sugar and 100 milligrams of sodium (which indicates preservatives) along with zero trans-fat.
- Certification labels like ‘USDA Organic’ or ‘Fair Trade’ should be checked on the packaging to ensure globally accepted standards of production.
Takeaways
- Children above three years of age can consume chocolate in moderation. However, it is not advisable for toddlers below two years of age.
- Moderate consumption of chocolates in their original form is not harmful. However, processed chocolates should be avoided, as they can cause hyperactivity and lack of attention in kids.
- It is important for parents to pick chocolates that have no added preservatives and a low caffeine content. In addition, they should also read the ingredient labels.
- Parents should also ensure that children avoid chocolates late at night.
