What happens when kids eat too much processed food?
For one three-year-old Malaysian child, it has led to a heartbreaking reality; weekly hospital visits after being diagnosed with diabetes and other health complications.
‘He never ate rice, only nuggets’
A mother recently shared a conversation she had with her child’s babysitter, who revealed that another child under her care, the same age as hers had been diagnosed with diabetes and blocked blood vessels.
According to her, the child’s mother fed him processed food almost every day, rarely giving him proper meals like rice or vegetables.
The mother would give two packs of nuggets every two weeks to the babysitter. He never ate rice, only nuggets, hotdogs, and sugary snacks. Even the babysitter was overwhelmed. The child is cute and cheerful, but now he has to go for hospital check-ups every week,” she said.
The mother added that this was a wake-up call for parents:
“It’s not the child’s fault for not wanting fresh food. It’s the parents’ job to control their kids’ diet and say NO. Parenting isn’t just about raising a child, it’s about raising them well.”
‘Make it yourself, not store-bought’
Many netizens expressed sympathy but also pointed out that parents could still prepare child-friendly food without relying on processed frozen meals.
“You can give nuggets or sausages, but make them at home with chicken, vegetables, and rice. Kids will eat them if you make them fun and healthy,” suggested one user.
Others shared their own parenting tips, saying they banned junk food at home entirely.
“I don’t keep sweet snacks or frozen foods at home. My kids must eat fruits or fresh food. Even if they refuse, I insist. We need to learn to say NO for their health,” one parent commented.
Could it be Type 1 Diabetes?
Some also pointed out that children diagnosed with diabetes often have Type 1, which is not caused by diet but by the pancreas failing to produce insulin.
“If it’s Type 1, it’s an autoimmune disease, not a result of food. We need to know which type the child has,” one netizen clarified.
Still, many agreed that reducing processed food and sugary snacks is important for children’s overall health.
This case has sparked conversations among Malaysian parents about the importance of proper nutrition and discipline when it comes to their children’s diet.
As one netizen summed it up:
“Some parents give in to everything their child wants. But if we keep giving in, we’re only harming them in the long run. As parents, we must learn to say NO.”
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