Are there foods that help your brain? There are some studies which indicate eating fish [omega-3] is good for the unborn child as well as good for the mother. All diets I have read about say eat fish....but I have read other reports that say be careful - some fish are filled with mercury and who know what else. Our oceans have become our toxic dumps and the fish food chain is not as healthy as it once was.
One has to make decisions about food for one's own family. Where you live, cost, overall budget, etc. are all factors that families weigh when making decisions about food. One factor that is important to know is that pre-packaged foods are more costly and if you read the ingredients - might be less healthy. For example macaroni and cheese, a family tradition for many, is much less expensive to make if you use cheese and pasta from your house and not from the cardboard box. Many foods can be prepared ahead and frozen... and now that we have microwaves, defrosting quickly for a hungry child [or adult :-)] is quicker than making the mix from a box.
Ditto bread. I once read a comment about the preservatives in bread which went something like this: I don't know why there are so many preservatives in bread; did you ever see a newly baked loaf of bread hang around your family for 3 weeks? I like to bake bread but do it rarely. No good reason. But when I buy store bread I buy what is fresh baked on the premises and with no preservatives. I cut all loves in half and freeze them.. when defrosted, they taste as good as the half I started on when bought.
Maybe I'll bake some bread today while I am watching football!
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Are you what you eat?
I watched Supersize Me on TV the other night. If you have not seen this documentary I really suggest you get it from your library or elsewhere and see it. It's no wonder obesity and health problems are on the increase!
When my son was younger and I was busy with school and work, I admit we did McDonald's and Wendy's more than I knew was good for either of us. But at least on most days, we ate well at home. Given that we are both still healthy, I guess not much long term damage was done but after watching the movie I wonder why parents take kids there so frequently.
Childhood obesity is a triple whammy for kids:
One - they are made fun of by others.
Two - they tend to stay away from sports and physical activity - further isolating them from peers.
Three - it's a path to serious health issues.
What can parents do?
Provide good modeling. If you have food around that is full of what are known as empty calories - throw it out. Get rid of the soft drinks - they are just sugar water. Eat at home more often. And believe it or not, kids will eat vegetable and yogurt - or peanut butter.
Do you know why baby food has added sweeteners? For the parents! Marketers know that parents will taste test the food so they sweeten it. Does your baby need that sweetener? Nope. Will baby eat unsweetened food. Yup.
And - if you would like a free sample of a product that is good for your kids - one that is designed to package the nutritional goodness of 12 different fruits and vegetables, green tea powder, vitamins, and glyconutritionals into a delicious gummy-bear like snack - send an email to me at glycopdx@gmail.com with your name and phone number and I'll call you and tell you more.
When my son was younger and I was busy with school and work, I admit we did McDonald's and Wendy's more than I knew was good for either of us. But at least on most days, we ate well at home. Given that we are both still healthy, I guess not much long term damage was done but after watching the movie I wonder why parents take kids there so frequently.
Childhood obesity is a triple whammy for kids:
One - they are made fun of by others.
Two - they tend to stay away from sports and physical activity - further isolating them from peers.
Three - it's a path to serious health issues.
What can parents do?
Provide good modeling. If you have food around that is full of what are known as empty calories - throw it out. Get rid of the soft drinks - they are just sugar water. Eat at home more often. And believe it or not, kids will eat vegetable and yogurt - or peanut butter.
Do you know why baby food has added sweeteners? For the parents! Marketers know that parents will taste test the food so they sweeten it. Does your baby need that sweetener? Nope. Will baby eat unsweetened food. Yup.
And - if you would like a free sample of a product that is good for your kids - one that is designed to package the nutritional goodness of 12 different fruits and vegetables, green tea powder, vitamins, and glyconutritionals into a delicious gummy-bear like snack - send an email to me at glycopdx@gmail.com with your name and phone number and I'll call you and tell you more.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Big apologies
Happy 2006...
I got very side tracked the last few months of 2005 and neglected my blogs :(
They all got together and said "either keep posting or give us up - we can't sit here without updates - it's not good for us."
So I listened to them and got back to posting...
Let's start 2006 with healthier everybody... especially you and your children
Most people start a new year with the resolution of being healthier...they promise to eat well lose weight, exercise and they start off with a bang. The health club I go to was jam packed yesterday I was told. I did not go until today. But why don't people stick with the plan they promise themselves? Mainly because the plan they set out to do is unrealistic. We are all creatures of the immediacy issue. I want it now!
Good health is a lifestyle - not a fad or irregular activity. And is has to be enjoyable because if it feels like a chore - we don't do it...And it helps if it is a social activity as we do better when we are with someone and feel accountable.
So for you and your family I suggest you write out realistic health goals for all and put the goal list on the refrigerator or wherever you post family messages. Everyone should have input into these goals because by taking part everyone feels more responsible for sticking with them.
Make sure some are family activities like walking the dog, taking a leisurely walk, playing physically active games etc. And many will be activities geared toward the individuals. The important thing is to make the goals, make them fun, and STICK with them for at least 3 months - without complaining and they will probably become part of your life. Kids will do what their parents do - so if you exercise, so will your children. If you play sports, so will they. If you eat well, they will too [until they hit their teens)]
Til next time.
I got very side tracked the last few months of 2005 and neglected my blogs :(
They all got together and said "either keep posting or give us up - we can't sit here without updates - it's not good for us."
So I listened to them and got back to posting...
Let's start 2006 with healthier everybody... especially you and your children
Most people start a new year with the resolution of being healthier...they promise to eat well lose weight, exercise and they start off with a bang. The health club I go to was jam packed yesterday I was told. I did not go until today. But why don't people stick with the plan they promise themselves? Mainly because the plan they set out to do is unrealistic. We are all creatures of the immediacy issue. I want it now!
Good health is a lifestyle - not a fad or irregular activity. And is has to be enjoyable because if it feels like a chore - we don't do it...And it helps if it is a social activity as we do better when we are with someone and feel accountable.
So for you and your family I suggest you write out realistic health goals for all and put the goal list on the refrigerator or wherever you post family messages. Everyone should have input into these goals because by taking part everyone feels more responsible for sticking with them.
Make sure some are family activities like walking the dog, taking a leisurely walk, playing physically active games etc. And many will be activities geared toward the individuals. The important thing is to make the goals, make them fun, and STICK with them for at least 3 months - without complaining and they will probably become part of your life. Kids will do what their parents do - so if you exercise, so will your children. If you play sports, so will they. If you eat well, they will too [until they hit their teens)]
Til next time.
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