Hi M., your question is one that is becoming all too familiar. And the responses below...well sorry ladies, many are not accurate.
We live in a time when obesity is on the rise and we should be concerned. Juvenile Diabetes is now an actual disease (it didn't even exist a few short years ago). Our food source is being compromised and our activity levels are decreasing. Couple all that with the stress and anxiety that we are bombarded with on a daily basis and we have a recipe for disaster.
Toxicity, deficiency, obesity, stress, inflammation, they all are sadly a part of our daily lives...and even more sad is our children are now being affected. The World Health Organization stated a few year back that this is our saddest time in history. They predict that based on where we are today with our ill-health, our children are not expected to live the life expectancy we have. That is heart wrenching.
Being concerned for your child's well being is crucial, but please add you to the mix and anyone else you care about. Here's a couple of things to think about:
1. Diet is ANYTHING someone puts in their mouth, so YES, put you and your child on a healthy diet.
2. Our quality of life is digressing. Our air, our water, our soils, they are being more and more contaminated every day.
3. Our food supply is being manufactured, not grown.
4. The amount of preservatives and pesticides and herbicides in our food is alarming, and our bodies just can't handle it.
5. Stress is rampant, we are pushed to our limits physically and mentally every day.
So what do we as parents do? We step up and PARENT our kids.
1. We educate them on the importance of food education. And that means, WE have to get a food education. A REAL education.
2. Talk to your grandparents, find out what they used to eat, how they used to live, and get back to the basics. My grandmother says, "if they advertise it on TV, it can't be good for you."
3. Supplement your food with the highest quality of nutritional supplements available. It's not about price, don't buy because it was "the most expensive on the shelf" but because you did your research and you talked to other families who have taken these steps.
4. Eat local, buy fresh and prepare your own when possible. My health coach told me once...if I buy fast food, expect a fast life. WOW that really hit home!
5. Get moving. Walk, skip, dance, hula hoop, swim, bike, whatever, but do a little bit each day, get to a point where it is a bit difficult to carry on a conversation. That is a good benchmark of a level to achieve.
6. Eat well 3-5 times a day. Every body needs a balance of proteins, fats, and carbs every day. Choose the healthiest ones for you and your family.
7. Drink water...and ONLY water. Flavour it with fruit and veggies (we like to take over ripe fruit and blend it, make ice cubes then add them to our water bottles.)
8. Sleep, at lest 8 hours every night. Without the right amount of sleep your body can't repair itself.
9. Do not eat 2-3 hours before bed, your body needs to be in rest mode during sleep, not digestion mode.
10. Have fun! Enjoy life. Enjoy the time when your daughter is little, they grow up so fast. And if you model fun, a healthy lifestyle and less stress, well she will live that too.
M., my family and I started on this wellness journey just over 9 years ago. We were forced into it...I got sick and I HAD to make changes. I am now super passionate about helping other families change their lives so that they do not have to hit rock bottom before changes happen.
I am here if you have any questions.
B.