Some of our children are spurting and sputtering – with allergies, asthma, eczema, poor immunity, acne, obesity and more. Their gas tanks are being filled with fake foods that are not meant to give them the fuel they need to be healthy.

Much of your child’s food is no longer food. Just because it made it to a grocery store shelf doesn’t mean we should feed it to our children (or ourselves for that matter). Along with being overly processed, there are so many additives, that while it may have carbohydrates and proteins, it no longer has the vital nutrients – minerals, enzymes, phytonutrients – that build a healthy body. On top of that, our children are not learning to sit down, chew food and eat slowly so that their bodies can actually break down and assimilate the nutrients in the food.  Our children are being overfed and undernourished.

"An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure.” ~Benjamin Franklin We probably all remember Benjamin Franklin’s quote: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Scientists now say 80% or more of illnesses are attributed to lifestyle factors like diet and exercise. Research also shows that removing artificial ingredients and sugars from children’s diets can improve achievement and behavior. All parents want healthy, successful, well-behaved children. Feeding your child for health, success and good behavior doesn’t have to break your budget.

First, prioritize your family’s health. You do this by making a conscious decision to improve your family’s diet. Realize that sometimes REAL food costs more, but that you are paying extra for more nutrient-dense food and fewer toxic chemicals. When you are making your child’s and your family’s health a top priority you will be motivated to look for ways to be able to purchase higher quality foods. And, with some planning, you might actually be able to feed your family REAL foods for less than processed foods. (Click link below to see how one mom does just that when shopping for her family.)

You know it is important to feed your child REAL food. Once you’ve decided to make it a priority, use these tips to help you make it more affordable for your family. Your child’s health is worth it!

2. Buy in bulk when you can and cook double batches so you can have a second meal or snack all ready for you on an extra busy day.

3. Buy high quality meat, but eat less of it. Plant foods are less expensive and loading up on them will improve your child’s health. The bulk of what your child eats should be high quality animal products, eggs, and dairy; fruits and vegetables; nuts, seeds and legumes.  

4. Buy local eggs, dairy, poultry and meats. Foods grown locally, especially if they are organic, will have a higher nutritional value because they are fresher and haven’t been trucked or flown hundreds or thousands of miles to get to your table. Your child will benefit from the boost in nutrition and so will the local economy. As an example, here in Michigan, if every Michigan family spent $10.00 per week on Michigan-based products, we would return $35 million to the Michigan economy each week. Visit Local Harvest to find farms near you.

5. Stop paying for convenience. Stop buying individually packaged foods. Buy cheese in blocks and take a few minutes to slice it yourself instead of buying string cheese singles. Buy the 32 oz. yogurt instead of the 6-pack of yogurt. Make your own applesauce in your food processor instead of paying twice as much for a jar of store-bought. Use your own single-serve reusable containers for snacks and lunches. Shop the perimeter of the store and avoid the packaged food aisles as much as possible. A few minutes of your time can save you money. 

6. Recycle leftovers – wrap them up in a whole grain wrap, throw them in a stew or on top of a pizza crust. Have your child help you get creative and make sure to eat all leftovers so food doesn’t go wasted.

7. Make a big batch of soup, stew or chili each week, incorporating lots of plant foods. Add in a different vegetable, bean owhole grain on days two and three for a whole new and inexpensive meal!

8. Take the time to find coupons. Many health food grocery stores will accept coupons from their competitors too, so be sure to ask at your local healthy grocery store.

Keep in mind that feeding our children REAL food is one of the most important responsibilities we have as moms. It is a foundational parenting choice that impacts every other area of their lives. We know it matters and our kids (and our future grandkids) are counting on us to fill their tanks with good fuel.