One of my readers, Tessa, recently left a wonderful comment asking me to share some ideas for parents who are just starting to analyze their children’s eating habits and try to change them. Specifically she said she would like to see ”recipes for kids who are used to eating pizza and hot dogs”. This is a hugely important topic because there are so many parents out there that allow their children to be nourished by a diet of pizza, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, and French fries. I think they have some idea of how BAD this kind of food is but they probably don’t know just HOW bad these foods can be. Convenience may also be playing a big factor in how they feed their kids.
But to me this is a very serious issue. When I was 18, I started working in a movie theatre while I was in college. For years I ate buttery popcorn and soda as meals…it was accessible and it was free. Then when I had my first baby and I started working in marketing and advertising I let my 60+ hours a week work schedule dictate our diet. Let’s just say my oldest child had a lot of Happy Meals. This went on for about 2-3 years and started to change for the better when I got pregnant a second time and quit working. As my life made a huge shift towards natural family living and my days were spent at home, our diet improved greatly. But it was already too late…I would be diagnosed with colon cancer not too much later and it was stage 3 so I had it for awhile and didn’t know it. I think I had everyone in my family shaking the naughty finger at me. We pretty much all knew why I got cancer. Needless to say I look at food a lot differently now and I LOVE to research as much as I can on the subject. Amazingly I found that 40% of all cancers are attributed to diet. Yikes!
Also, I wanted to mention that my son (who was injured by a vaccine) developed epilepsy by the time he was 3. The part of his brain that caused the seizures was actually damaged so Doctors held out little hope that he would ever be seizure free. He went on prescription medications as suggested by his neurologist but I also decided to see if I could control his epilepsy or even get rid of it by changing his diet. Within a few months of following a diet like the one I describe below, I took him off his meds and he has not had a single seizure. His Doctors are still scratching their heads over that one.
Here are some scary health facts about the healthy diet/kids connection:
* Autopsies done on children as young as 2 years old are showing signs of fatty cholesterol buildup in the arteries.
* Over 100 studies have been done that validate the theory that food dyes and additives are a factor in ADHD and ADD.
* It is estimated that 10% of 2- to 5-year-olds and more than 15% of children between the ages of 6 and 19 are overweight. 25% of those are obese.
* 14% of children now have type 2 diabetes, a condition that used to be pretty much specific to adults.
So what can you do? I don’t want to lay down a list of hard and fast rules here because well… different strokes for different folks but…in general the things most important to me when I feed my own kids are these:
* Organic foods – It is important that my family eats food with no pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, or chemicals in it. All of these things can accumulate in the body and cause health problems. For me it is issue of clean or dirty almost. Organic is “clean” food and I that is what I want to eat and what I want my kids to eat. I wrote an article last year about how to eat organic affordably.
* No food coloring – Synthetic color has no nutritional value whatsoever. Beyond that, the food colors approved for use today are in a class of chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that are universally suspect as carcinogenic (cancer causing). But according to the FDA it only causes cancer when it is injected into rats, not when they are feeding on it. Therefore, they conclude that it perfectly safe for humans to eat. Food coloring is also predominantly in super sugary foods that kids don’t need anyway. My oldest child can be VERY hyperactive after he eats something with food coloring in it.
* Unprocessed whole foods with no preservatives or additives – Many processed foods have chemical preservatives and additives in them. Some of them have been linked to cancer too. For instance, hot dogs, bacon, and deli meats are packaged with a preservative called sodium nitrite. In the 1970s it was discovered that sodium nitrite was not safe and it was linked to cancer. The government tried to ban it but food company lobbyists played hardball and in the end they got their way. These type of products are a no-no in my home unless they are preservative and additive free. Dedication to whole foods would also eliminate things like white breads and flours because they have been refined and left nutritionally lacking.
* No refined sugars – Refined sugars can really be bad news for my kids where behavior is concerned. This is especially true for my daughter. Give her a bit of sugar and she will be unbearable all day long with bad mood swings, crying, tantrums, and irritability. Refined sugars will send my oldest into hyperactivity and aggression.
Ingredients to avoid are: Sugar · Brown sugar · High Fructose Corn Syrup (or HFCS) · Glucose · Fructose · Corn sweetener (HFCS) · Corn syrup · Dextrose · Fruit juice concentrate · Invert sugar · Lactose · Maltose · Malt syrup · Sucrose · Syrup
To sweeten things in my home we opt for raw honey, stevia, raw agave nectar, raw sugar cane, coconut milk (on rare occasions), natural maple syrup, raw yacon syrup, and fruit… like figs.
* An abundance of raw (uncooked) foods – Raw foods are living foods with their life giving enzymes still in tact. Heating and cooking foods kills those enzymes and renders them useless so eating raw food is important. Cooking also kills off a large portion of the vitamins and nutrients, approximately half of the protein content, and it causes fats to become rancid. I like to make sure my kids have lots of raw fruits, nuts, and veggies in their diet. Check out my previous post on the benefits of raw food and my recipe for raw peach cobbler.
* Raw (unpasteurized) milk and cheeses – They might be hard to get in your area but the benefits are wonderful. In fact raw milk is the only milk I can drink. Check out the Real Milk site for all you could ever want to know about raw milk and where to find it in your area. I also prefer raw, organic because I don’t like pesticides and growth hormones like rBST in our milk.
* Limited meat (except fish)- I like to limit meat for a variety of reasons…one is environmental impact. Meat eating is a big time contributor to pollution. Organic meat can be expensive and is therefore less likely to be the heavy on my grocery bill. Also, since I like to emphasize raw foods as much as I can this usually leaves meat out. I won’t prepare raw/very rare meat dishes in the home but when we go out we will enjoy a good steak tartare and we LOVE sashimi and sushi. Usually once or twice a month the whole family will head out to our favorite Japanese market for fresh sashimi and we usually have one or two cooked fish meals a week.
* Superfoods -These are the foods that are considered to be nutritional powerhouses. They are generally rich in antioxidants, nutrient dense, and they help the body fight degenerative conditions and diseases like cancer. We like blueberries, Goji berries, seaweed, Spirulina, and cacao beans among others. Just throw some seaweed, green powders, or Spirulina in a fruit smoothie and everyone is getting a big boost of healthy nutrients.
Of course these are my choices for health. I have other sticking points that are more ethical in nature such as eating local when we can, growing our own food, and I guess organic falls in under the ethics category too. It is a heck of a lot to consider for a someone who is just beginning to question the standard American diet but baby steps are okay. My outlook on food as outlined above was not an overnight thing. Try picking one thing above, do some research on your own and see how you can make some changes. When you have that aspect under control switch gears and start again. This is one area where you may never stop learning…I know I haven’t. The end goal is worth it though…the health of our children. You are what you eat.
Be sure to check out the recipes section of this blog…and these related articles:
Healthy School Lunches | Healthy Snack Ideas | Easy Ways to Get Your Kids to Eat Vegetables | Natural Family Recipes
Welcome back! Remember to subscribe to my RSS feed. You can also subscribe via RSS reader or email (right). Thanks for visiting!
It is great to see more and more people trying to be ‘Green’.
Tiffany you are doing a great job by writing this blog. I will say it is ‘Gods work’
I recently came across this website which everyone might find very useful. http://www.davidwolfe.com/
Aso there are always questions about vegetarian recipes.
In my country many people are vegetarians and their meal does not contain any meat. Food is still tasty and nutritous enough. I am amazed by the range of vegetarian recepies that exist. One of the websites which has very good information about the vegetarian food and also the pictures of the end products is http://onehotstove.blogspot.com/ I hope others who read your blog like it.
My wife and I love your blog, thank you for all the great info!!!
Adam’s last blog post..3 Mice that are blind
I am so happy to have found this blog! I am a first time mom trying to give my child the best possible start in life and I am loving all the tips and frankly, the reassurance that other moms are out there wanting the same. Some of my friends think I am crazy and making life harder for myself. thanks so much!
Great info again! I would love to have a copy of the book!
Thanks for the great information! I would love to get the book. My daughter is 4mo old and we’re starting to feed her homemade baby food. I’m concerned with the amount of nasty stuff out there that she can get her hands on when she’s older, I really want to start feeding my family as organically as possible. Thanks for the tips, I really appreciate them!
Cara’s last blog post..Easter
This is such a timely post. I have a 6 year old little boy with autism and he is extremely picky. He has self limited his food choices to just a few things…and they’re mostly processed junk. I’ve just begun trying to change his diet. The going is slow but I’m stubborn enough to keep with it! Please enter me in your drawing…I’d love the cookbook!
i’d love a chance to win! thanks so much for the opportunity!
I stumbled upon your blog one day and now try and read it a couple times a week. I am now pregnant with my first child and am learning a lot from reading your blog. Thank you for all your tips and information. Have you done an article on Vaccines, seeing that your son was affected by them? There is so much to research out there that sites like yours help all of us narrow down the truly important things! Thank you
All your information is just music to my ears! It totally validates all the information I have researched and found to be true. It’s so nice to have someone agree how important healthy eating is. The cookbook sounds great. I could use some inspiration.
Count me in! The cookbook would be a great win.
thank you so much for all the info. you were alot of help.
I feel like I can do it and that it is the right choice. My family means everything to me and I want to do all Ican for them.
thanks again.
These are all great ideas, I am slowly trying to move my family over to a healthier, organic lifestlye. It is hard to undo all the years of bad habits they have acquired because of my ignorance, but I won’t stop trying. All of the information you provide on your site has really got me interested in a healthier lifestyle. Thanks!
This is really an excellent list of ideas. The book also sounds great and I would love to win a copy!
C Duran’s last blog post..Aloha Friday – Where Would You Like to Travel?
It’s so nice to find like-minded moms! We try to focus on raw foods, as well. Your colon cancer story scares me. Did you have any bleeding or other symptoms, or did this suddenly hit you?
Jules’s last blog post..Favorite Moment
Oh, I forgot to mention that if any of your readers are interested, I am hosting my own giveaway. I’m buying one person a two year subscription to Clean Eating magazine.
Jules’s last blog post..Favorite Moment
All really sound advice. And it may sound overwhelming to some, but once you get into the habbit it isn’t so bad, actually.
I do sometimes miss the ease of popping a pizza in the oven or running up to the fast food joint…it’s so easy and the clean up is next to nothing.
But, I know in the long run I’m playing a huge part in my son’s health. Not to say there aren’t the occasional trips to eat out, but instead of going a couple times per week and going weeks without fresh veggies, fruits, or meats now it’ll be the reverse. I say “it’ll” because I’m back on the healthy diet after a short vearing off the health path. It’s hard to break addiction…this I know. But, we were doing really well for several months so I know it can be done.
If you get them young it’ll be easier. My oldest is four and it only took a few days before he stopped asking for junk food and began asking for healthy veggies for snacks. I realize that in an older child it would probably take longer.
And before last year I was one of those Americans that thought I was eating healthy. I hadn’t a clue how sick I was and how sick I was making my family by feeding them the way I was.
Nell @ Casual Friday Everyday’s last blog post..I?ve Been Made Over
thanks for the as usual great info,I am joining a csa this year,and look forward to making great meals with the food.This book would be a geat help,thanks for the offer,and your great advice.
Awesome! You have great give aways. Would love this book. Thanks again for all the info. I am pretty good at not letting my kids eat junk, but I forgot about how bad sugars effect attitudes. I’ll have to keep an eye out for that, when Grandaddy gives them crap food!
Thanks!
Sarah’s last blog post..Photo blog anyone?
I am moving in this direction too, and am excited to attend a Nourishing Traditions meeting in my town next month. I am trying to sort through all of the literature out there about it, and would love it if I won this book!
Jen@BigBInder’s last blog post..Feature Friday. Yes, I Know.
Wow, what a post. I have to read it over and over and over and then all the links in it. Such good information. I LOVE how you say this was not overnight and your choices. It seems so overwhelming and to most impossible. Baby steps count. I’d love to win this book and will be linking you to my blog. Thanks!
Sommer’s last blog post..To use or not use the CFL bulbs
Great article…lots of good information!!
Kensie’s last blog post..Earth Hour Tonight!
I am striving to provided healthier foods in my house. I would love to have this cookbook to help out.
Pamela
One thing that I have found has worked to get kids trying new foods is get someone else to make something. One of my girls was nearlly impossible to get new and different food into, refusing to the point of not getting closer than putting the nose above it and sniffing it then declaring that she hates it. Then one day she came home from spending the day with a friend and asked for a particular dish for tea that week (from memory it was actually lasagne) because she had had it for lunch with her friend and really enjoyed it. I have found this even works as both girls have got older, they will try things for other people and it seems to work (as long as they are not aware that they are being set up for anything it should at any rate)
Katrina’s last blog post..Lasagne
The other day I had a conversation with a mom at my work who’s son was diagnosed with ADHD and she immediately put him on meds. I said, “I hope you looked into other things, like diet?” But, she went on and on about how the meds worked miracles and that his birth mom had ADHD too. I guess it’s “easier” to medicate instead of taking responsibility for things such as a poor diet and too much tv. I’ll be sending her a link to your great blog…thanks!
I would love this cookbook
sunday grant’s last blog post..Easter, 10 months, and ……..cake!
wonderful post! i found it very useful!
how does raw milk really taste? i have been wanting to try it….
Thanks for the great post! We try to eat as healthy as possible but sometimes I find that we start veer towards conventional eating habits again and have refocus… thanks for the reminder
Hannah’s last blog post..Bird Spotting
Great blog!!!! My family and I are taking our baby steps to a healthier, natural lifestyle. We are one of many families that are guilty of giving in to the conveniences of conventional eating. Over time we’ve come to realize the negative effects it has had on the family as a whole and on each of us as individuals. The information you share here has really opened my eyes to many things that I was completely unaware of. Thank you!
That sounds like a wonderful resource (and I have a pretty severe book habit, so it would be great all the way around!). We’ve been analyzing our eating habits, and are slowly working to change for the better. Your blog is a super resource!
Just thankful I happened found your website – love your blog! Hope you will keep it up in many, many years to come! I’ve been slowly transform myself to become green with envy and am proud of it. I’m sure you are far beyond PROUD of yourself for making this accomplishments! Mother nature is thank you for it!
I found your blog when I was searching for safe sippy cups and found your reviews very helpful. Ever since then I have been reading your blog daily and searching the archives too! Thank you so much for all of the information… it has really given me the push I have needed to make my home healthier and more green.
We have also been trying to eat healthier. Your list is wonderful. I would love some tips about switching to organics, in terms of which foods are most important to start with. Also, I love to bake with my daughter and would like to know how to make baked goods more healthy. We use whole grain flour and brown sugar, but I am sure we could do better than that.
Thanks again for your blog!
I am a new mom and a health educator for our local health department. We do a lot of education with teen pregnancy, substance abuse and that sort of thing. I really would like to find grants that deal with natural living to fund more community outreach on this subject. It seems like common sense but I’m amazed everyday by what people think is healthy!
[...] to junk food is choice we face every day. I especially enjoyed a recent post at Nature Moms Blog, “Healthier Kids: Moving Beyond Pizza and Hot Dogs”. If you’re looking to reevaluate your family’s eating habbits and take baby steps to [...]
Great post. I want to win! I’ve recently joined Holistic Moms Network. I’m sure it’s a nice cookbook.
As the mother of a 7 month old, I am determined to change my eating habits and to give my child the best start possible. I would love to win the cookbook!
Great blog post! We try to eat locally and organically in our house. We have a 20 month old daughter and the change to local and organic started when she was born. I agree that you need to start small and change one thing at a time….otherwise the change to being a more green household can seem overwhelming.
I think it is wonderful that there are blogs like this so that people can get inspiration and support towards living more green. Although we eat locally when we can and organically your post has inspired me to try to do more RAW foods…as we often cook most of our foods. Thanks!
I just wanted to let you know how glad I am that I found your blog and how happy it makes me to see that you are trying to educate the world. We need a better place to live and a healthier society/family. What a difference it makes to have someone who takes the time to research and inform the rest of us. Thanks for all you do!! I would love to be considered for the book if its not too late!
Jill’s last blog post..Put it all together!!
Thank you so much for this post. I am new at eating natural and organic but I’m committed and a bit overwhelmed. Reading your blog really helps me have faith that it is possible. I would love to have a cook book to help me through those days when all I really feel like doing is ordering in. Thank you
Great tips, I agree whole heartedly! Diet is the key to health. It starts even before our children our born also. What we eat during pregnancy lays the stepping stones for later on.
I also want to add, start a garden with your kids. It’s so simple, they enjoy it, it’s a huge learning experience, and children are much more likely to eat vegetables if they help grow and tend to them!
Erica’s last blog post..Babies, the new accessory!
I agree with your food regimen – with the exception of one thing, what about all the mercury in fish? I struggle with this all the time, as I love seafood but have given up most of it (sushi fIrst and foremost) because of mercury contamination.
I keep checking back – were the winners announced?
Deborah’s last blog post..springtime in Calgary
Freaky Deborah…I used random.org to pick a winner and it chose #47…you! Congrats!
No way! I am SO excited!
Deborah’s last blog post..springtime in Calgary
Hi,
Since you are into safer places for kids, I thought I’d pass along this info on my “Dandelion Stomp”: Non-Chemical Control for Lawns and Playgrounds
Dandelions are one of the worst weeds of turf, but they have one critical weakness. They can’t handle trampling. The complete stem of a dandelion plant is crammed into a cylinder a few millimeters long right where the flower stalks emerge from the center of the leaf whorl. Trampling this stem crushes it and exposes the plant to infection by plant pathogens. The result is a dead dandelion with no time-consuming digging, no pulling, and no herbicide application.
Learn more from my March 23, 2008 entry in the “What Works” section at GeorgeRotramel.com