Group of young multi-cultural women. An interesting topic, and relevant to what I write about, is the use of culinary medicine to support intergenerational well-being. Also, today is my daughter's birthday, my youngest, so thinking of her! What is meant by this? Improving the health of future mothers long before they have their own children, to improve the health of babies. What is the reason for this? More and more women are unhealthy before becoming pregnant. This is due t

Adolescence and puberty - those words trigger an emotional response and anxiety in parents! This article will help you prepare your child nutritionally for the demands on their bodies as they begin changes that eventually lead to adulthood. Establishing these eating habits before puberty makes it easier to continue them through this life-changing time. A group of cheerful students with backpacks stand side by side, outside a modern school building. This age group requires ad

Salt has been used for centuries to cure and preserve foods before refrigeration. Excessive salt intake typically wasn’t an issue before fast food and ultra-processed foods. Now, roughly 70% of our salt intake comes from these foods and food prepared outside our homes. Photo of a salt shaker surrounded by salt crystals. For all ages, too much salt can create health problems, but for children this is particularly problematic. Excess salt intake can lead to chronic conditions

I am currently spending a couple of weeks in the mountains at altitude of 9,000 feet, higher during hikes, which prompted me to write this article. Family hiking in the mountains at high altitude. High altitudes reduce oxygen availability and increase metabolic demands. This combination can lead to specific nutrient deficiencies. Being at high altitude - above 8,200 feet (2,500 meters) - for a week or more can lead to deficiencies if precautions aren’t taken. In addition, inc

A vibrant assortment of pulses displayed in wooden bowls showcases a variety of colors and textures, highlighting their diversity. Pulses? Do I mean beans and legumes? Yes! Pulses are the edible seeds of plants in the legume family. These include beans, peas, lentils, lupins, chickpeas, and more. All pulses are legumes, but not all legumes are pulses (soybeans and peanuts, for example, which are primarily grown for oil extraction). The pod is the legume; the seeds inside the

This post ran a year ago and I thought it worth repeating. Dangerous diet trends are spreading faster than ever through social media. It is no secret that adolescents and teens are influenced by social media. Many influencers have no expertise in the subject matter they endorse. This is vastly true when it comes to dieting and eating habits promoted by individuals with no medical or dietary background, many of whom are thin young women, promoting potentially harmful eating ha

A variety of vitamin and supplement capsules on a green background. A recent article in Medscape reported that in the last 3 years, almost 2,000 children were hospitalized for vitamin and mineral toxicity. These were from over-the-counter supplements. Some of these cases involved severe illnesses, requiring a hospital stay of 4 to more than 8-days. Some of these were intentional ingestions by teens, others by curious children drawn to a colorful bottle. Most were easily acces

School is back in swing and so are school sports. Now is a good time to discuss with your student athlete what they use to hydrate and whether this includes energy drinks. Please also see https://www.feedfuturehealth.com/post/sports-hydration-nutrition-for-student-athletes-part-1-hydration Many parents ask whether energy drinks are safe for kids. The short answer is no. These drinks are loaded with caffeine, sugar, and other stimulants that are unsafe for children and teens

White rice in a black bowl. You may well be aware that rice contains arsenic, a naturally occurring element in the earth. It is present in air, water, and soil, and is highly toxic in the inorganic form. Arsenic occurs in groundwater in many countries, including the United States. Thus, exposure can occur through drinking contaminated water and consuming crops irrigated with or prepared with contaminated water. Much of the arsenic in groundwater and soil comes from industrial

School is back in session 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 with eggs, fruit, cereal, and yogurt. A balanced breakfast incorporates protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. It can also include dairy and fruit. These macronutrients will promote br

Understanding and reducing your food contamination risk has never been more important. In light of the recent Cyclospora contamination from lettuce and berries, last year's E. coli outbreak, thought to be from raw onions, the recent recall of jalapeno pepper prepared products from Whole Foods, and the fresh eggs recalled from a Texas farm that were sent to multiple states, I am writing about ways to avoid food contamination. E. coli outbreaks used to come from undercooked mea

Just because you are eating in the car while rushing from one activity to the next does not mean the drive-thru is your only option. With some planning and preparation, you can feel good about what you serve your kids when away from home. Snacks can be just as nutritious as meals and serve as a mini-meal. That way, if your child doesn’t have a full appetite at mealtime, you can be satisfied that they ate something healthy. A healthy lunchbox meal filled with a fresh sandwich,

Wooden letters spelling "IRON" are accompanied by a wooden spoon filled with iron supplement tablets on a bright blue background. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently updated its recommendations on screening for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency can occur without anemia, which is a later stage. I will summarize their recommendations, then outline which children are at greater risk and the modifications to their screening. All babies shou

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 (CHOs)

School will be back in session before long as will school sports. 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 sports hydration student athletes need for peak performance and calo

Did you know that diet can affect sleep, and sleep can affect eating habits? Sleeping child. What we eat can affect sleep and sleep affects what we eat. Adequate sleep is vital for all ages. The amount one needs varies with age according to the following recommendations: Age Hours of Sleep 0-3 months 14-17 (total including naps) 4-12 months 12-16 (includes naps) 1-2 years 11-14 (includes naps) 3-5 years 10-13 (includes naps) 6-12 years 9-12 13-18 years 8-10 18 & ov

Did you know that diet plays a role in both brain development and brain activity? The brain requires specific nutrients to function optimally. Drawing of a human brain surrounded by healthy foods - fruit, nuts, veggies - that promote brain health. These include macronutrients - Carbohydrates for fuel Protein for structures Fats for development and function And micronutrients - Minerals - choline, iron, zinc, iodine, copper and Vitamins - A, B, C, & D We also know that ultr

Newborn being examined in hospital. The past decade has seen a decline in newborns receiving the vitamin K shot at birth. More parents have been declining this vitamin supplement for their newborns, which can have devastating consequences. I hope to dispel some of the misinformation out there and explain why it is needed. The vitamin K shot is not a vaccine. It is a vitamin supplement given by injection into the thigh muscle. This has been used since 1961 and is the standard

The topic of this article is the abundance of commercial snacks marketed for infants and toddlers. Little ones need to have snacks, usually one or two a day. I advocate considering snacks as a mini-meal or a smaller version of the food you would serve at a meal. Here is information that may make you think twice about what you buy, and give you healthier options. Mom shopping for snacks...so many to choose from! As with many commercial and processed foods, marketing tactics co

I am following up on my recent article on edibles (food) as choking hazards, with one on non-food choking hazards. Although this article does not relate to food, it does involve the things that little ones put in their mouths, attempting to eat them, and the dangers involved. I have emphasized this many times, but all parents should be trained in infant and child CPR, to learn what to do for a choking child. Hopefully, you will never witness this situation, but knowing what t