The last three decades have seen a surge in the chemicals added to our food. Plastics, preservatives, dyes, and sweeteners account for the majority. These are known as food additives. Most have not been studied, yet are approved. This article covers food additives harmful to children and best to avoid: dyes, preservatives, additives, sweeteners, and endocrine disruptors. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) wrote a policy statement on food additives and child health in 20

On a recent holiday road trip, my husband and I listened to Dr. Radio and an interview with a pediatric bone expert. I researched further and decided the topic would make a good blog article. Picture of a human skeleton waving. I have written a couple of times about vitamin D: https://www.feedfuturehealth.com/post/the-latest-vitamin-d-guidelines https://www.feedfuturehealth.com/post/vitamin-d-deficiency-why-is-it-so-prevalent But vitamin D is only part of the story. Read on…

A healthy gut benefits the entire body. It improves brain health, the immune system, digestion, mood, energy, and helps prevent disease. Developing a healthy gut means developing a healthy gut microbiome. This is achieved through diet and lifestyle changes and can be done naturally. A plastic model of the internal organs of the human body, showing the gut and intestines. Dietary changes involve increasing specific foods while eliminating or decreasing others. I will focus on

What are supplements? Supplements can be anything given by mouth that is not in the form of food, including vitamins, herbal supplements, body-building supplements, etc. Some supplements contain items that occur naturally in food but in higher concentrations than you would get from a typical diet. Most supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so the dosing and purity are not necessarily accurate. These typically are not tested in children, and

Since the holiday school break will soon end and schedules are busy, now is the time to ensure your child gets a healthy start to their morning. This post will give you many breakfast ideas, for home, on the go, and post-morning sports so your student is ready for the day. An array of breakfast options pictured with eggs, fruit, cereal, and yogurt. A balanced breakfast incorporates protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. It can also include dairy and fruit. These m

A common complaint is that healthy eating is great but not affordable for many. I argue that it can be! It doesn’t get much cheaper than beans and rice, a nutritious, complete protein combination loaded with fiber and nutrients. Choosing brown rice rather than white is even better. A bowl of beans and rice with some veggies. This combination makes a healthy, inexpensive meal and complete protein. The easiest and least expensive way to improve the nutrient density of your diet

Childhood hypertension has been on the increase worldwide. From 2000 to 2020, the incidence of high blood pressure in children and adolescents nearly doubled. Estimates are that about 1 in 25 children, ages 12-19, have hypertension, and 1 in 10 has prehypertension (elevated blood pressure but not yet high enough to classify as hypertension). Child getting his blood pressure measured at the doctor's office. What are the Causes? Blood pressure ranges vary with age. For teens an

Nutrition plays a role in maintaining your and your child’s health during the winter. There are ways you can use food to offer protection, in addition to frequent handwashing, covering your mouth with coughing and sneezing, and/or mask-wearing. Eating healthy during the colder months can be challenging for numerous reasons - The holidays offer too many appealing high-sugar, high-fat, and high-calorie treats Some of your favorite fresh produce may be more limited during these

If you are like me, cooler weather often signals a change in eating habits. Gone are the fresh fruits of the summer and light meals full of salads and vegetables, and in come the starches and refined grains - more meat and potatoes and treats. I will give tips to help holiday-proof your eating during this tempting time and suggestions for healthy treats. Pictured above is a savory holiday meal that includes a variety of vegetables. Check out the Academy of Culinary Kitchen we

Inflammation plays a role in many diseases, and diet can worsen or improve it. This article highlights simple ways to reduce inflammatory foods. Even small dietary changes can be beneficial for those experiencing symptoms. These changes aren't curative but may help prevent issues and manage symptoms. The following are considered inflammatory food components. Sugar, especially added sugars Refined Carbohydrates Red and processed meats Fried foods Saturated fats and Omega-6 fat

As a follow-up to last week’s article on sugar-sweetened versus artificially-sweetened beverages, today’s topic focuses on the mental health effects of sodas and energy drinks. I have written before about the unhealthy consequences of sodas and energy drinks on physical health. See also: https://www.feedfuturehealth.com/post/sugar-sweetened-versus-artificially-sweetened-beverages-is-either-without-risk   https://www.feedfuturehealth.com/post/why-sodas-and-other-sugar-sweetene

Think artificially sweetened beverages are better to consume than those with sugar? Think again! Despite saving calories and reducing sugar intake, current research indicates that artificial sweeteners, also called non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS), can have just as many adverse effects as real sugar. Read on! VERSUS Sugar packets (above) versus an artificial sweetener packet (below). Too much of either can be unhealthy. Artificial sweeteners are hundreds to thousands of times s

This is the second article on children’s dental health written by Kelsey Scott, DDS, a board-certified pediatric dentist, and my daughter-in-law. Young child having her teeth checked Eating for tooth health begins when the first tooth develops at six weeks gestation. The most important thing for the expectant mother to have in her diet for her child’s dental health is fluoridated water. The fluoride will help develop strong teeth for the growing baby. Fluoridated water is one

Since one of the national themes for October is Dental Hygiene Awareness month, I am going to rerun two articles written by my daughter-in-law, Kelsey Scott, DDS, a board-certified pediatric dentist. Maintaining healthy teeth is vital to our overall health and it starts when those first teeth erupt. Did you know that early childhood caries, or tooth decay, in children under age six affects roughly half of the population? It is the most common chronic bacterial infection, and

A Consumer Reports investigation recently found that various protein supplements contain unsafe levels of lead. They evaluated both powders and shakes from plant, dairy, and animal sources. They tested multiple samples from different lots over several months. Many of those studied contained more lead in a single serving than what is considered safe to consume in a day. The word LEAD in gray on a black background. Think for a minute about how popular these products are. Protei

The last two decades have shown a surge in the cases of youth-onset type 2 diabetes. This used to be a disease of adults only and was called adult-onset diabetes, since it was not seen in children. It is now a pediatric disease. Type 2 diabetes in children is rising at a faster rate than type 1 and is a global problem. The word diabetes written on a chalkboard surrounded by a scale, glucometer, stethoscope, exercise equipment, and healthy foods. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is cause

The current recommendations for introducing three of the top allergenic foods in infancy, based on the latest studies, show a reduction in infant food allergies. These top 3 include eggs, peanut products, and milk products.  Pictured are several of the most common allergenic foods including peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk, fish, and wheat. Previous advice recommended delaying the nine most common allergenic foods   Peanuts Eggs Milk  Tree nuts  Fish  Shellfish Sesame Soy Wheat

A child’s vegetable intake often declines with age. Achieving the recommended daily vegetable intake of 2-4 servings is difficult. There are things a parent can do that is the focus of this article. Why are vegetables important? Vegetables provide multiple health benefits including fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and plant-based antioxidants not provided by other foods. They help in preventing constipation and feed the gut microbiome. Eating vegetables adds fiber a

Adolescent soccer players running on field. Good nutrition is vital for kids' optimal growth and performance. ] Last week we tackled appropriate hydration for student athletes, this week we look at adequate nutrition, including macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and fats), and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). I also give ideas for pre-workout and recovery snacks. Macronutrients Macronutrients provide energy and help to build and maintain muscle. Carbohydrates (CHO

Keeping your child healthy and well-hydrated helps to optimize sports performance. They need adequate calories for their given sport and constant hydration, preferably with non-sugary beverages - water, water, water. Teenage soccer player hydrating with water - the best hydrator for athletes. This article will give guidelines to ensure optimum hydration for sports and calorie guidelines. Next week's article focuses on appropriate nutrition for their growing bodies and ensure