Protecting Our Children Through Food

I don’t think I’ve ever encountered a parent who wasn’t concerned about their children’s health, and more especially that they are feeding their kids the right foods. Feeding our children the correct foods that will build their brain, a strong immune system, and help protect them from the myriad of serious or annoying health challenges that beset so many children and adults alike, should take priority at every meal.

Every single thing that enters a child’s mouth will either support health or degrade it. Most recognize the detriment sugar has on a child’s health, but yet continue to feed them sugary foods. Why? So often a parent wants to be popular with their child, so they give in to their persistent begging for foods, even though they know they aren’t good for them. This sets them up for other such behaviors that can make life difficult for them as their children get older.

Often a child is picky about their foods and parents succumb to giving them whatever they will eat, even knowing it is not good for them. There are several websites and cookbooks, such as The Sneaky Chef, that help find ways to sneak better, wholesome foods into their diet until they become accustomed to eating healthier foods. Since our taste buds change every two weeks, there is an increased hope of better eating habits for them. On this topic, I remember a seminar I attended a few years ago, where a doctor attendee complained about not being able to get her own children to eat vegetables, much less her patient’s kids. The speaker chuckled and said “I never have a problem getting my kids to eat vegetables. I believe in choices, and here I give my kids a choice. I tell them the only choice they have in getting vegetables into their bodies is which orifice it will go into!” The audience roared, and I will never forget it! I am not advocating this approach, but I do want to remind you that, as the parent, you are in charge.

In addition to sugar, parents need to be aware of additives in their diets. In the Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 1982, Dr. Feingold postulated, then confirmed in the study, that children’s behavior was affected by chemicals in the diet. These chemicals include bisphenols such as BPA (plastics), Phthalates, perfluoroalkyl chemicals, perchlorate, nitrates, nitrites and food coloring amongst others.  In a policy statement entitled Food Additives and Child Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics warns about these harmful chemicals.  The FDA has also been actively investigating the link between food coloring (which is made from petroleum) and hyperactivity in children. What are parents to do? Feed your children healthy fats (butter, olive oil, coconut oil) and whole foods. Eat less processed, sugary and junk foods. Read labels and avoid foods with chemical-sounding names on them. Make it a commitment to support their health, no matter how unpopular you may become.

©2019 Holly A. Carling, O.M.D., L.Ac., Ph.D.

Dr. Holly Carling

Dr. Holly Carling

Dr. Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with nearly four decades of experience. Dr. Carling is a “Health Detective,” she looks beyond your symptom picture and investigates WHY you are experiencing your symptoms in the first place. Dr. Carling considers herself a “professional student” – she has attended more than 600 post-secondary education courses related to health and healing. Dr. Carling gives lectures here in the U.S. and internationally and has been noted as the “Doctor’s Doctor”. When other healthcare practitioners hit a roadblock when treating their patients nutritionally, Dr. Carling is who they call. Dr. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d’ Alene clinic.

Medical/Health Disclaimer:

The information provided in this article or podcast should not be construed as personal medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken based solely on the contents of this article or podcast. Readers/listeners should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The information and opinions provided here are believed to be accurate and sound, based on the best judgment available to the author, but readers/listeners who fail to consult appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries.

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