8 Key Nutritional Steps To Help Strengthen Your Child
Photo by: Paul Hanaoka
As parents, we realize that the parameters for a healthy diet for our children begin and end with us-with each of our daily choices. Children are very intelligent and understand nutritional concepts when they are reinforced and led by example. They will learn via our diligence, the wholesome dietary habits that will mold their health for a lifetime.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding helps provide protection as the infant develops their bodily defense systems. It contains nutrients and special substances that can, for a period of time, directly protect the infant against infection and allergies.
Reduce pesticides exposure- GO ORGANIC
There is nothing more important than the quality of food we choose to feed our children. Organic foods are cultivated, stored and produced without the use or intervention of chemicals, herbicides, pesticides, fumigants and other toxins.
Try to keep foods in their natural state and avoid additives
A wholesome nutritional principle that always serves us well is to buy food that is as close to its natural state as possible. Additives to avoid: color, flavors, preservatives, and hormones.
Teach your child about their bowels
How often a child uses their bowels, or how often they “go #2,” tells us a lot about their digestive health. Two to three bowel movements a day is considered optimal digestive health; in fact, many children go after each meal. Have the talk with your child today.
Utilize alternatives to white flour
We should cut down on wheat and white flour in general because it slows down our digestive capacity. It is often produced with sugar, salt and other additives. It is important to find alternatives such as coconut flour, almond flour, or cassava flour.
Ditch the refined sugar
Sugar is a food item that many adults have conditioned themselves to ‘need,’ and parental fatigue often exacerbates this. Infants do not crave sugar unless they are exposed to it and we consciously or unconsciously ‘promote’ it. The best options for healthy alternatives are fruits, coconut sugar, honey, or pure maple syrup.
Avoid genetically modified foods
Genetically modified organisms are mostly found in processed food. Be particularly careful of soy products, corn and canola oil products.
Focus on good oils and avoid trans fats
We need good fats for body functions such as cell repair, vitamin transport, maintain body temperature, and gives you energy. Good fats come from meats, chicken, cold water fish, seeds, avocado, and oil supplements. The best oils are coconut oil, organic olive oil, macadamia, avocado, flax seed and sesame oil.
The health of our children begins with the lifestyle habits we create today and our efforts will be rewarded with vibrant children. Few things are as important as providing our children with quality food- in fact, their health, happiness and development depend on it.
Originally Posted By:
Author// Dr. Jennifer Barham-Floreani