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Written by Angelle Batten, MEd, HHC   

Tags: Parenting | REAL food

Let's agree to use our common sense when it comes to taking care of our kids. 

We get bombarded with so many messages about how to care for our children.  While I consider myself a life-long learner and an information junkie when it comes to parenting, it's so easy to get lost and forget that we have common sense to guide us.

Great example:  A dad recently challenged me about buying REAL foods vs. fake foods.  "The chemicals are minimal. The stores sell them so they must be fine.  How do we even know they are a problem for our kids?  Are there any research studies to support buying REAL versions of foods?"

Well, yes, there are research studies to support the fact that REALfood is better for all of us.  But, here's the common sense part:  If all these additives and chemicals were separated out from the actual food, would you serve them to your child?

Picture yourself setting down the plate of eggs, some toast, and a bowl of blueberries in front of your 4-year old along with a glass filled with CITRIC ACID, SORBITOL, POTASSIUM AND SODIUM BICARBONATE, ASPARTAME†, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, POTASSIUM AND SODIUM CARBONATE, MAGNESIUM OXIDE, SOY LECITHIN, RED 40, BLUE 1, SODIUM BENZOATE AND BHA (PRESERVE FRESHNESS). CONTAINS: SOY. †PHENYLKETONURICS: CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE.  "Here honey, drink up!" Really?  (Those are some of the ingredients in a  Kool Aid Powdered Drink Drops in case you're wondering.)

If I wouldn't give my kids a spoonful of those chemicals with every meal or snack, why would I give my children food and drinks with those chemicals mixed in? My ‘mama bear’ wisdom assures me I don’t need a double-blind scientific research study to tell me what my own common sense already knows.  Those fake food ingredients in the foods and drinks marketed to kids are not the fuel that allows their bodies and minds to thrive and their limitless spirits shine. 

Science and research can be good but not if it's at the expense of our common sense.

Happy Monday ~ Angelle

P.S. - Check out some of the fake food ingredients in these products commonly marketed to parents and children:  Name that Product, especially the Flinstones Vitamins lots of parents buy because they're so economical. 
 

Comments  

 
0 #5 RE: Let's Agree to Use Our Common Sense — 2011-01-28 00:15
A few things jumped out at my in your comment Millie - first of all, putting oatmeal in the same catagory as cereal? Hardly comparable with today's cereals due to the overprocessed grains and excessive amounts of sugar. Comparably speaking I'm not sure you can justify calling it "a terrible breakfast". Also, why throw out 2000 calories a day? That's certainly not a one-size-fits all number. Lastly, where did she mention eating oatmeal in this post anyways? Sorry, I just think that whole food nutrition is so important and undervalued by so many people these days and any attempt to promote and educate about it should appaulded, not nit-picked apart with critism.
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0 #4 RE: Let's Agree to Use Our Common Sense — 2011-01-26 16:24
Thanks for your responses everyone! @Millie - Agree with the caveat that we can't move someone from totally fake foods to REAL, traditional foods overnight - need to give people options. And, the truth is some metabollic types can handle more carbs, even grains. Sally Fallon herself while teaching at IIN, the nutrition schoool I attended, said she probably does best with properly prepared oats with lots of good fats in the morning as opposed to other options. The key is, along with as many REAL foods as possible, to listen to your own body and tune into how to best feed it when it comes to carbs/proteins/fats. Thanks for commenting!
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-1 #3 ALL Carbs for breakfast?? — 2011-01-26 15:23
You give your version of a "Great' breakfast as the oatmeal with added ingredients. But this breakfast is still almost ALL carbs, a terrible breakfast. It is lacking in enough fat and protein to make this a healthy breakfast. Fruit, cereals, oatmeal, break...whether they are "healthier" or whole grains, do not change the fact that they are still mostly carbs. Too many carbs cause heart disease, elevated LDL's, obesity...whether they are from fruits or grains. Real food is the food humans have eaten for thousands of years; healthy saturated fats, high quality proteins and veggies..with small amounts of fruit. 2000 calories a day from real food.
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0 #2 Mom w/ Orthexia nervosa ;-) — 2011-01-25 02:16
If I had a nickle for every time I had a discussion like this.... Thankfully, more people are slowly waking up to the fact that much of our "food" is garbage. Getting away from it, unfortunately, for many, is easier said than done. The internet is a goldmine of information - hopefully if we all keep spreading the word, eventually we'll get the system cleaned up.
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0 #1 So True — 2011-01-24 15:02
"Science and research can be good but not if it's at the expense of our common sense."

I had to comment on this statement. It is so simple yet so profound. As moms, we should all remember this small nugget of wisdom whether dealing with the fake food giants, the modern medicine establishment or even our local schools. God has empowered us with common sense and the ability to make wise and healthy choices for our families. We do not need to be dependent on others (the government, doctors etc) to make those choices for us. Thanks for a great post and reminder!
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