‘Snack Crack:’ Our Children’s Addiction to Sugar

In the article 'Snack Crack:' Our children's addiction to sugar, the author Chef Ann Cooper looks at the amount of sugar that is available to children in school, and in particular the drinks that are available for purchase, including flavored milk.

She finds that - according to studies undertaken by Dr Nicole Avena, Dr. Robert Lustig and the CDC - sugar behaves a little bit like a drug, harking back to the NYC kids calling it “snack crack.” 

• Over-consumption of sugar has addictive affects on the brain.
• Sugar is one of the few foods that causes dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain, to be released, which can cause addiction.
• It impairs memory and learning skills.
• It may contribute to depression and anxiety.
• It’s also a risk factor for age-related cognitive decline and dementia.

Our Nation's Sugary School Meals

It is scary to think that when kids get their meals from school they are getting well over the recommended amount of daily added sugar, all before 3 o'clock. It's no wonder more and more children are classified as overweight and obese nowadays! Read the recent article by US News, titled "Snack Crack:" Our Children's Addiction to Sugar" where Dr. Avena explains why sugar is so addictive, and why it shouldn't be so prevalent in school foods.