The Five Most Dangerous Foods to Feed Your Child

I frequently get invited to speak to students at school assemblies about nutrition. I really enjoy doing this because so often I find the diets of children lacking in the most fundamental elements of good nutrition. And too often our children are unaware of the impact they can have on their health by choosing better foods to eat. Years ago I published the following list, and sadly what I find is that these dangerous foods are still regularly in many children’s diets.

The Five Most Dangerous Foods to Feed Your Child

1. Butter and Cheese – Full of saturated fat and fat-delivered chemical pollutants
2. Potato Chips and French Fries – Rich in trans fat, salt, and carcinogenic acrylamides
3. Doughnuts and other baked goods   – Rich in trans fat, sugar, and other artificial substances
4. Sausages, hot dogs, and other luncheon meats – Containing N-nitroso compounds that are potent carcinogens
5. Pickled, smoked, or barbequed meats – Linked to both stomach cancer and high blood pressure

And, eating the right foods is important too.  As the fall weather approaches, are you dreading the sore throats and illness that often come a few weeks in to each school year? You don’t have to be.

There is a definite link between what we eat and the illnesses we get. We can increase our resistance to disease by making better choices in our diet. Many childhood ailments can be prevented or severity lessened through superior nutrition. Ear infections, strep throats, allergies, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD and ADHD) and even autoimmune diseases can be prevented through sound nutritional practices early in life.   As a parent, I know we all want what is best for our children and will do almost anything to help and protect them. But often, when it comes to food, we become unsure of what is best. That’s because food is often an emotional trigger for many people. As a physician and a parent of four children, I have first-hand experience dealing with many children’s food issues.

Our bodies have an innate ability to defend themselves against microbes and prevent chronic illness. But this can only occur if we give our bodies the proper fuel to stay healthy.  And good nutrition doesn’t just keep our children healthy now, but later in life, too. Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high LDL cholesterol and hypertension, and even cancer can develop as adults as a result of the diets we ate in childhood. When our children don’t eat fruits and vegetables and instead are fed junk food, the groundwork can be laid for disease down the road.

Some Suggestions
Fresh fruits, raw and cooked vegetables, leafy greens, beans, intact whole grains, raw nuts and seeds should form the foundation of your family’s nutrition. I use the acronym G-BOMBS for people to remember to incorporate these superfoods in their diet regularly.  Use Greens, Beans, Onions, Mushrooms, Berries and Seeds as often as possible.  Food preferences and tastes are formed early in life, so the earlier you begin the better. But it is never too late to start.

• Keep only healthy foods in the house. Every person in the household should have the same food choices available
• Discuss food choices and make collective dietary goals as a family
• Eat dinner together as a family
• Involve children with food preparation
• Once a week, discuss a health topic as a family
• Don’t reward good behavior with junk food
• Pack healthy lunches for your children that include fresh and dried fruits, nuts, and raw vegetables
• Offer and feed a wholesome diversity of fresh natural foods

Be a Good Example

Give your children the greatest gift of all – the opportunity for a long and healthy life. The food habits we develop early in life have a substantial impact on our physical health and mental well-being throughout the rest of our lives. When parents live a healthful lifestyle, their children follow.

Read some amazing success stories of children who have overcome allergies, asthma, chronic ear infections, and more following the Nutritarian diet style.