Who Is In Charge Of Your Children’s Health?

kids in circleThis is a hard question for parents to answer. Why? Because the truth is sometimes hard to admit to themselves, much less anyone else.

As the parent, you set the rules, buy the food, prepare the food and schedule meal times. Or do you? Has your child or children become the General in your house? Do they dictate what they eat and when they eat? As a general rule children don’t know healthy foods from unhealthy foods. As the parent, you should know the difference and if you don’t, you have a responsibility to learn. Moms and Dads would naturally want their children to be healthy, right? As a parent you have responsibility beyond yourself.

Facts You Need to Know to Raise Healthy Children

Are you planning to have a family with children? Are you currently raising one child or more? As parents, we encounter family problems on a weekly and even daily basis. Now parents face a more serious problem (a must read). American children are facing unprecedented health challenges due to the consumption of refined and processed foods. In fact, you may be the first generation of parents that will raise children that will be less healthy and have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.

Children, while young, may not look like they have health challenges. Not all children that eat refined or processed foods are overweight. However, you may see other health problems develop. Your child may be suffering from frequent ear infections, a cold or sore throat that seems to never go away or they may have persistent sinus or upper respiratory allergies and infections or digestive issues such as stomach cramping, constipation or diarrhea. They may have behavior problems at school or they may lack the ability to concentrate during school. This can happen when the body is nutrient deficient and can’t build a strong body or build a strong immune system. One fact you can bank on, a diet consistent in refined and processed foods will put your children at a very high risk for a future filled with adverse health conditions and diseases.

The Influence of a Mother’s Health

The health of a child actually begins before conception! If a mother has been getting good nutrition and has been taking care of herself, her baby will have the best chance of being born healthy and have less risk of birth defects and future childhood and adult illness. Research has actually shown us that the health of the mother influences the health of her child all through their life even through their adult years. If you are in childbearing years, your health is very important to both you and your baby. To build a great body for you and your child, make sure you are exercising and getting great nutrition.

The nutritional needs for children are different from those for adults. As they mature and graduate into adolescence, their nutritional needs will change again. It is important to make sure children are getting great nutrition to build a healthy brain, strong muscles and strong bones. In addition, exercise and physical activity are very important for the health of your children. They need to be involved in physical activities such as soccer, baseball, gymnastics, volleyball, or after school programs at your local health club or YMCA. Make family activities a priority each week. As a family, take walks, go on picnics, explore trails, and go to your nearest playground and play together.

As parents, you must lead the way for your children; you must set the example for them. It doesn’t make sense for you to be making healthy changes for your children and not for yourself, it will not work. The best way to make sure your children are getting adequate nutrition is to feed them wholesome foods that build health. Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds are loaded with health building carbohydrates, fats, protein and powerful antioxidants and other phytonutrients. If selecting meats, choose organic free-range grass fed beef, and organic free-range turkey and chicken. (I don’t recommend eating pork.) If selecting fish, choose wild caught cold-water fish like salmon, halibut, cod, Alaskan whiting and tuna.

Brain, skeletal and muscle-building nutrients are vital for a young body. Healthy fats, including some saturated fats, are critical for brain development. The Omega families of fats are considered essential fatty acids because they are important for health and are only achieved through our diet.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Most Americans are deficient in Omega 3 fatty acids. Salmon, chia seeds, flax seeds and walnuts are excellent sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. Very good sources of these healthy fats include scallops, cauliflower, cabbage, cloves and mustard seeds. Good sources of these fats include halibut, shrimp, cod, tuna, tofu, kale, collard greens and Brussels sprouts.

Omega 6 Fatty Acids

Omega 6 fatty acids are very common in our diet and therefore are not an issue for the average person. In fact, most American’s get too much omega 6 fatty acids, which can cause inflammation. Increasing the Omega 3’s in the diet can help counter the inflammatory effects.

What foods should be avoided or limited?

How does this affect your children?

  • “Because of the increasing rates of obesity, unhealthy eating habits and physical inactivity, we may see the first generation that will be less healthy and have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.”

Source; American Heart Association http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@fc/documents/downloadable/ucm_304175.pdf

  • Childhood obesity will lead to early heart disease, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and cancers.

Source: http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/DietNutrition/22525

  • Two years ago, the American Pediatric Association recommended that children between the ages of 2 and 10 get screened for heart and cholesterol problems if they are overweight or their parents are overweight, have high cholesterol or smoke.
  • We are now seeing children under the age of 12 developing heart disease, high cholesterol and adult onset diabetes (Type II).

Scientific Proof, our children and we are getting fatter! Changed bullets to match others.

  • Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 years increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008. The prevalence of obesity among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years increased from 5.0% to 18.1%.1, 2 during this same time period.
  • Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. In a population-based sample of 5- to 17-year-olds, 70% of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.5
  • Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.3,6
  • Obese youth are more likely than youth of normal weight to become overweight or obese adults, and are therefore more at risk for associated adult health problems, including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.6  

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm

Why are we having this problem?

  • Convenience has robbed us of our health. McDonald’s or Burger King on the way home is the norm. Quick foods at home are poisoning our bodies. For example, pizza, pop tarts, sugar-coated cereals, instant flavored oatmeal, soft drinks, sugary drinks, instant grits, doughnuts, pastries, white bread, white rice, chicken nuggets, French fries, tater tots, hash browns, macaroni and cheese, meals in a bag, biscuits and jelly, drive through meals, candies, etc.…. are full of fat, sugar, calories and very little nutrition to build a healthy brain or body.
  • Lack of physical activity is increasing. Our body adapts to the demands we put on it. If we do not move, our body has no reason to give us more energy to move or to build stronger bones and muscles. Exercise is required for a healthy body.

The Nutritional Basics for a Healthy Child

A healthy diet helps children grow and learn. It also helps prevent obesity and weight-related diseases, such as diabetes. The following guidelines will help you give your child a nutritious diet:

  • Offer a minimum of 2 servings of fruits and 3 servings of vegetables a day.
  • Everyone should start the day with a nutritious breakfast.
  • Choose healthy sources of protein, such as lean meats, nut, beans, lentils and eggs.
  • Serve whole-grain breads and cereals because they are high in fiber.
  • Broil, grill or steam foods instead of frying them.
  • Avoid fast food and junk food.
  • Offer water and/or milk substitutes (almond milk) instead of sugary fruit drinks and sodas.
  • Do not give in to your child’s demands for unhealthy foods. Their whining will stop eventually, and they will eat when they get hungry, as long as YOU DO NOT GIVE INTO THEIR DEMANDS. You are the parent and must take control.

As a parent, learn about your child’s nutrient requirements. Some of them, such as the requirements for iron and calcium, change as your child ages.

Source: http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/DietNutrition/22525

How to Get You Child to Eat More Veggies

Video 1 Disguise Healthy Foods

Video 2 Food Games, Smoothies, Tricks

Video 3 Easy Ways to Get Vegetables into Your Child’s Diet

Video 4 Make Eating Healthy Fun!

Video 5 How to Handle a Picky Eater

Video 6 Veggie Pancakes

Children Resource Links

In summary, eat a bounty of nutritious foods, eliminate as many refined and processed foods as possible, stay away from fried foods, avoid foods and drinks with added sugars, play with your children often and encourage them to get outside and play with other children their age.

I wish you the very best in health and wellness,

Wally Bishop C.N.C.

Vive

The contents of this blog are not and should not be considered medical advice. This blog is for informational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. Never quit taking prescription medications unless advised to do so by your doctor.

Cholesterol Blah Blah Blah!

sugarI am so tired of seeing so many cholesterol drug advertisements on TV!  However you may be surprised to know cholesterol isn’t the enemy or the problem! In fact, cholesterol is very important for many functions in our body.

Cholesterol is actually a sterol or a modified type of steroid our body makes. Sterols are also found in plants and other animal tissues because every animal or mammal cell membrane must have cholesterol for membrane health.

Some Doctors want you to take cholesterol lowering medications even if your cholesterol isn’t high; their premise is to prevent high cholesterol. In some cases they go to extremes; a recent paper published in the American Journal of Cardiology by Dr. Darrell Francis of the Imperial College in London suggested that fast food restaurants should provide free cholesterol-lowering medications along with their cholesterol carrying cheeseburgers and fries. Why you ask? To offset the harmful health effects of these fat rich foods. I understand their frustration because people eat so unhealthy and high cholesterol is killing people through heart disease and stroke.

Your body makes 800 to 1500 mg’s of cholesterol daily. It is not an essential nutrient or fat we need to obtain from our diet. Cholesterol in your diet only comes from animal foods like milk, red meats, pork, eggs, poultry etc…. Cholesterol is not found in any plant foods, however, other sterols are and they help remove excess cholesterol from our body.

Cholesterol sure gets a lot of attention but cholesterol isn’t the evil it is made out to be. It gets the bad rap because it’s finger prints (higher amounts of LDL and lower amounts of HDL) are found in your blood.  And because it is present in levels above what is deemed a safe amount, we are taught to believe that cholesterol is the enemy and we must take drugs to lower it. This simply isn’t true unless you have a condition causing your body to make excessive amounts of cholesterol.

The types of cholesterol

To carry fats in water (which our body is about 70% of) fats must be bound to proteins because proteins are water friendly and fats are not. But really it’s not cholesterol, its VLDL, LDL or HDL. These are the acronyms for types of fat carrying protein molecules. VLDL stands for very low-density lipo (lipo means fat) protein. Then LDL would mean low-density lipo-protein and HDL means high-density lipo-protein.

Cholesterol is vital for our health and necessary for functions in the body such as to make sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), bile, cortisol and is essential for making Vitamin D in our bodies. Cholesterol is also vital for cell membrane health and very important for our brain health. Cholesterol is very important.

Why is cholesterol a problem?

Because of sugar and foods that turn to blood sugar very quickly. Higher amounts of sugar in your blood causes sores and ulcers to form in your veins and arteries. To heal them the body uses cholesterol as a patch.  This is also called plaque. The American diet is so rich in sugar foods that it causes cholesterol to stay in the blood constantly patching sores. To make it very simple to understand, its sugars and any flour based food plus food where there is little to no fiber that is causing the cholesterol problem.  Here are a few foods that will cause your body to use cholesterol in a damaging way. Lets see, cereals, sugary drinks, chain based smoothies, cola’s, pastries, candies, cookies, crackers, breads, stuffing, too much high sugar fruit and too many grains.

Reducing Cholesterol levels

If you have higher levels of cholesterol and need to reduce the levels, your NutriBullet is a great tool to help you lower the numbers. A diet rich in fiber helps remove dietary cholesterol and bile from the body.

  • Eat fiber rich foods (at least 30 grams of fiber daily)
  • 1 to 2 ounces of nuts and seeds every day
  • Exercise particularly intense intervals (get doctors approval before exercising)
  • If you smoke quit!
  • Avoid foods with added sugars
  • Avoid or highly limit the intake of fatty animal foods (red meats, pork, dairy)

Best foods to reduce cholesterol

  • Avocados
  • Leafy greens
  • Cruciferious veggies (kale, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, bok choy)
  • Omega 3 fatty acids (salmon, sardines, chia seeds, flax seeds, walnuts)
  • Rice bran and rice bran oil
  • Oranges
  • Artichokes
  • Beans, peas and lentils
  • Red yeast rice
  • Oily nuts and seeds (walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds,)
  • Flax seed and flax seed oil
  • Raw chocolate
  • Green tea
  • Whole, low glycemic grains (oats, wild rice, buckwheat, amaranth)
  • Olive oil
  • Acai berries
  • Cinnamon

Healthy Wishes

Wally Bishop C.N.C.

Integrative Nutrition Health Coach

wellnesswithwally.com

Vive Shake

The contents of this blog are not and should not be considered medical advice. This blog is for informational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. Never quit taking prescription medications unless advised to do so by your doctor.

 

 

 

 

Make Sure Your Children Have the Best Chance to be Healthy

Healthy Kids Make Happy Kids

Are you planning to have a family with children? Are you currently raising one child or even more?  As parents we encounter family problems on a weekly and even daily basis.  Now parents face a more serious problem (a must read) American children are facing unprecedented health challenges due to the consumption of refined and processed foods.  In fact you may be the first generation of parents that will raise children that will be less healthy and have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.

Children while young may not look like they have health challenges. Not all children that eat refined or processed foods are overweight.  However, you may see other health problems develop.  Your child may be suffering from frequent ear infections, a cold or sore throat that seems to never quit go away or they may have persistent  sinus or upper respiratory allergies and infections or digestive issues such as stomach cramping, constipation or diarrhea.  This can happen when the body is nutrient deficient and can’t build a strong body or build a strong immune system. One fact you can bank on, a diet consistent in refined and processed foods will put your children at a very high risk for a future filled with adverse health problems and diseases.

The Influence of a Mothers Health

The health of a child actually begins before conception!. If the mother has been getting good nutrition and was taking care of herself,  her baby has the best chance of being born healthy and has less risk of birth defects and future childhood and adult illness. If you are in child-bearing years your health is very important for both you and your baby. Research has actually shown us that the health of the mother influences her child all through their life even through their adult years. If you are in child bearing years your health is very important for both you and your baby. Make sure you are getting great nutrition and exercising to build a healthy body for you and your child.

The Nutritional Do’s and Don’t

The nutritional needs for children are different from those for adults. As they mature and pass into adolescence there nutritional needs change again.  It’s important to make sure children are getting great nutrition to build a healthy brain, strong muscles and bones. In addition, exercise and physical activity are very important for the health of your children. They need to be involved in physical activities like soccer, baseball, gymnastics, volleyball, after school programs at your local health club or YMCA.

Make family activities a priority each week. Take walks, go on picnics, explore trails with them, and go to your nearest play ground and play,

The best way to make sure they are getting adequate nutrition is to feed them wholesome foods that build health. Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds are loaded with health building carbohydrates, fats, protein and powerful antioxidants and other phytonutrients.. If selecting meats use free range turkey and chicken and wild caught cold water fish like salmon, halibut, cod, Alaskan whiting,  and tuna.

Brain, skeletal and muscle-building nutrients are vital for a young body.  Healthy fats including some saturated fats are critical for brain development. The Omega family of fats are considered essential fatty acids because they are important for health and we only get them from our diet.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Most Americans are deficient in Omega 3 fatty acids. Salmon, flax seeds and walnuts are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Very good sources of these healthy fats include scallops, cauliflower, cabbage, cloves and mustard seeds. Good sources of these fats include halibut, cod, tuna, soybeans, tofu, kale, collard greens, and Brussels sprouts.

Omega 6 Fatty Acids

Omega 6 fatty acids are very common in our diet and is not an issue for the average person.

What foods should be avoided or limited?

How does this affect your children?

  • “Because of the increasing rates of obesity, unhealthy eating habits and physical inactivity, we may see the first generation that will be less healthy and have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. “American Heart Association”
  • Childhood obesity will lead to early heart disease, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and cancers.

Source: http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/DietNutrition/22525

  • Two years ago the American Pediatric Association recommended that children between the ages of 2 and 10 get screened for heart and cholesterol problems if they are overweight or their parents are overweight, have high cholesterol or smoke.
  • We are now seeing children under the age of 12 developing heart disease, high cholesterol and adult onset diabetes (type II )

Scientific Proof, we and our children are getting fatter!

·         Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 years increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008. The prevalence of obesity among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years increased from 5.0% to 18.1%.1,2

·         Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. In a population-based sample of 5- to 17-year-olds, 70% of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.5

·         Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.3,6

·         Obese youth are more likely than youth of normal weight to become overweight or obese adults, and therefore more at risk for associated adult health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.6

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/obesity/

Why are we having this problem?

  • Convenience has robbed us of our health. McDonald’s or Burger King on the way home is the norm. Quick foods at home are poisoning our bodies.  For example, pizza, pop tarts, sugar-coated cereals, instant flavored oatmeal, instant grits, doughnuts, pastries, white bread, chicken nuggets, French fries, tater tots, hash browns, macaroni and cheese, meals in a bag, biscuits and jelly, drive through meals, candies, etc…. are full of fat, sugar, calories and very little nutrition to build a healthy  brain or body.
  • Lack of physical activity. Our body adapts to the demands put on it, if we do not move it has no reason to give us more energy to move more or to build stronger bones and muscles. Exercise is required for a healthy body.

The Nutritional Basics for a Healthy Child A healthy diet helps children grow and learn. It also helps prevent obesity and weight-related diseases, such as diabetes. The following guidelines will help you give your child a nutritious diet:

  • Offer a minimum of 2 servings of fruits and 3 servings of vegetables a day
  • Everyone should start the day with a nutritious breakfast.
  • Choose healthy sources of protein, such as lean meat, nut, beans, lintels and eggs
  • Serve whole-grain breads and cereals because they are high in fiber
  • Broil, grill or steam foods instead of frying them
  • Avoid fast food and junk food
  • Offer water and milk or mild substitutes (almond milk) instead of sugary fruit drinks and sodas
  • Do not give in to your child demands for unhealthy foods, eventually their whining will stop and they will eat when they get hungry, as long as YOU DO NOT GIVE INTO THEIR DEMANDS. You are the parent and must take control.

Learn about your child’s nutrient requirements. Some of them, such as the requirements for iron and calcium, change as your child ages.

Source: http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/DietNutrition/22525

Children Resource Links

Remember you are the parent. Do not let convenience rob your children of their health. If you put healthy food in front of them eventually when they get hungry enough they will eat. They need to know you are serious and will not give in to their demands. Be STRONG!  All it takes is planning and organizing. Talk to other parents and start a local support group to share ideas on planning and organizing to make it easier to eat healthy.

I know you love your children, now you know how serious this health issue is and you can take proper action. Most parents just don’t know what to do. Use these resources to help make your children as healthy as possible so they can look forward to a healthy and happy future.  I know you can do it.

Healthy Wishes

Wally Bishop C.N.C.

WebND

The contents of this blog is not and should not be  considered medical advice. This blog is for informational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. Never quit taking prescription medications unless advised to do so by your doctor.