Christmas period | MY SPECIAL DOCTOR

It is estimated that during the Christmas season, food consumption (as well as body weight) in general increases by about 30 percent. But for many Italians, not much changes when it comes to the consumption of simple sugars, which consistently remains in excess of the recommendations of the World Health Organization and Italian and Population Reference Intake Levels of Nutrients and Energy (LARNs): the energy intake of simple sugars should not exceed 10 percent and 15 percent of total daily calories, respectively.

In this regard, data from a survey on eating habits, conducted among 5400 adults (58% female, 42% male) by the Grana Padano Nutritional Observatory: daily energy intake derived from simple sugars (between those naturally present in food and those added in preparations and beverages) corresponds to about 20 percent, registering a slight increase from surveys in previous years.

Preference for sweets does not differ between males and females: 57 percent of respondents consume snacks, brioche, and croissants (10 percent of the sample consumes them almost every day). Spoon desserts are among the most popular: 77 percent of respondents consume tiramisu, puddings, as well as cakes filled with cream, cream and chocolate. Ice cream is the favorite dessert (only 13% of the sample does not consume it!), while chocolate is by frequency the most consumed dessert: 7% of respondents every day, 16% 2 to 4 times a week; 15%, on the other hand, consume it only once a week. 22% of the sample surveyed never eat chocolate, half of the respondents never consume candy, and only 17% do not eat cookies.

“It’s important not to run out of blood sugar, but at the same time, it’s also important not to overdo it with quantities, ” says Dr. Michela Barichella of the Grana Padano Nutrition Observatory Scientific Committee and President of Brain and Malnutrition. particularly with simple sugars and especially those added in drinks and preparations. This recommendation is critical so that we do not get to the opposite situation, namely hyperglycemia, a condition that can decrease attention and memory capacity, as well as increase the risk of serious cardiovascular disease and diabetes.”
It is certainly not the occasional dessert or the teaspoon of sugar in coffee that needs to be avoided, but rather the excessive consumption of daily sugar protracted throughout the year, particularly added (free) sugars not only in industrial beverages and preparations, but also in everyday domestic gastronomy.

A classic request that parents make to the pediatrician at this time is whether there is any provision for “Getting your child’s gut back on track” after the holidays. In fact, especially with regard to the Christmas season, it should be remembered that it is not only the dietary transgressions to cause disorders, but the many circulating viruses are also to blame, which can disrupt the Digestive system, sometimes in mutual concatenation

It may also be the case, for example, that classic indigestion, in addition to causing discomfort, alters the bacterial flora, making the gut more vulnerable to pathogens. Or a microorganism, which initially causes fever, cough, and other respiratory symptoms, may also promote nausea, vomiting, liquid discharges, and interfere with digestive processes.

What then are the best measures to help the child get better? First of all, let us remember that children, although they appear voracious and able to metabolize any mess, are no less delicate than adults: the difference lies in the fact that in the latter the symptoms are perhaps more pronounced but tend to resolve more quickly, whereas in children, if acute attacks of (liberating) vomiting or diarrhea are excluded, recovery times are slower, as well as longer vague abdominal pain, bloating or changes in fecal consistency and characteristics may persist, subtly.

To combat all these symptoms, it is first of all advisable to follow a simple diet: not necessarily “plain,” but characterized by lightly seasoned and elaborate dishes, such as spaghetti with tomato sauce, grilled steak or fish, pasta and beans, and minestrone. Also crucial is a proper balance between animal and vegetable foods: fruits and vegetables should never be missing from the table, and if they were really not liked by the child, we remember that, albeit with a loss of fiber, these sources of very important nutrients can be offered in the form of juices and centrifuges, prepared at home and consumed at the moment.

Pay attention, then, to the quantities of meals eaten throughout the day. If disturbances are present, it is better for them to be light and frequent rather than sparse and abundant. Fats deserve special mention; their intake should be moderated not only as a matter of calories but also because these substances slow down and weigh down digestion.

Finally, let’s not forget the importance of physical activity, which acts as a favorable stimulus on the motility of the digestive tract, and the intake of probiotic preparations, which are useful in restoring a balanced intestinal microflora arrangement.