What should my kids be eating?
by Jo delAmor
This has become such a big question! In the face of so much conflicting information from the food industry, the media, the medical institution and the holistic health world it’s no wonder most parents have a hard time making reasonable decisions about what to feed their kids.
How much is too much sugar? Are they getting enough protein? Do they have food allergies? Do they really need three glasses of milk per day? Is High Fructose Corn Syrup safe or not? Of course, this is only one of the many daunting aspects of modern parenting. Many of us don’t have the time to do the research to make an informed decision so we do our best and go with the flow.
Considering the current trends of our children’s generation, going with the flow may be a risky approach. Rates of Autism, ADHD, Type II Diabetes and Obesity among children have skyrocketed in past 10 years. Each of these diseases and conditions has been specifically linked to dietary and chemical exposures. Other food & chemical related conditions showing up in the youngest generation at alarming rates include various forms of cancer, heart disease and obscure neurological disorders.
It’s hard to believe that children could develop these diseases simply by their exposure to certain FDA approved foods and chemicals. But when we consider the rapid rate of change our food supply and environment have experienced during the last 30 years it begins to make more sense. Some of the major changes in our food supply and environment since we were kids include:
- High Fructose Corn Syrup was introduced in the 1970s and has steadily increased in its popularity and usage since then, finding its way into almost every packaged food on the super market shelves.
- Portion sizes and the availability of processed junk food have increased gradually enough that we can easily find ourselves and our kids eating much more of it than would consciously choose.
- Agribusiness began replacing small multi product farms with monoculture factory farms in the 1970s. These factory farms have become our primary source for the bulk of our food supply. They rely heavily on petroleum based chemical fertilizers and pesticides and continue to use more and more each year.
- Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) were introduced to our environment and our food supply in the 1980s and have since found their way into over 60% of the products on supermarket shelves. These GMOs are unlabeled within the USA and have not been adequately tested for safety and health impacts.
- The Vaccination schedule has increased. “Since 1983 the number of vaccines that the Centers for Disease Control recommends for our kids has more than tripled”1
- Many new chemical compounds have been invented. “Since 1950 at least 70,000 new chemical compounds have been invented and dispersed into our environment. Only a fraction of these have been tested for human toxicity.”2
Considering all of the changes that have occurred since the 1970s, the health risks that our children face become clearer.
The great news is that there are many choices that we can make to support our children’s health while teaching them to make healthy choices for themselves. For down to earth information and suggestions on how to raise healthy children in the faced paced modern world (and still have a life) join Jo delAmor and conscientious parents from around the country for the upcoming 4 part tele-workshop Raising Healthy Children. Individual attention and time for question and answer dialogue will be incorporated into the workshop so we can be sure to cover your specific concerns.
During the workshop we will cover the following;
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Childhood nutrition
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meeting your child's basic needs and nourishing him/her for strength and vitality
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Building Healthy Immune Systems
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break the endless cycle of colds and flus by understanding and supporting your child’s immune system for optimal resistance
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Healthy Eating Habits
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the eating habits that are established during early years lay the foundation for life long habits. Teach your children to honor and respect their food and their bodies through how they eat
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Teaching Self Care
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Teaching our children about how their bodies work and how to care for them will support good bodily health as well as provide a much needed sense of security and good body image amidst the conflicting messages of the modern culture.
Space will be limited to facilitate individual attention,
so please Register Now to reserve your spot.
(2) http://jntucloudseeding.com/archives/198
Article Archives
September 2008 Prioritizing Your Precious Life
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November 2007 The Healing Energy of Giving Thanks
September 2007 Shine...so that others may shine!!!