I am also talking about ingesting harmful and damaging chemicals and other foods that are detrimental to our bodies well being.

Cory had no idea that food could do all that!

Consuming the wrong foods can actually cause or exacerbate conditions such as: hyperactivity, anxiety, fear, anger, violent behaviors, head banging, meltdowns, frustrations, bowel dysfunctions, vomiting, red ears and/or cheeks, runny noses, night sweats, sleep disorders, eczema, focus issues, food limitations, sensory problems, walking on toes, poor eye contact, lack of or limited language, obsessions, depression and more.

Eating foods that do not mix properly within certain individual’s bodies can have injurious effects. There are many food alternatives that many people might not be aware of, which could actually improve or alter the conditions mentioned above, if changes are made.

Avoiding gluten (wheat, rye, barley and cross-contaminated oats), casein (protein in dairy) and often soy have proved to show remarkable improvements in as many as 70 percent of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Gluten is surprisingly found in many foods. Luckily, for many on a gluten free (GF) diet as of January 2006, a law was enacted in the USA stating that the top eight allergens must be listed on food labels to alert the consumer of these ingredients, whether hidden or plainly stated on the label. All of gluten is NOT part of the main eight allergens, yet wheat is one of the eight and wheat is the main culprit for those avoiding gluten. Keep in mind, those avoiding gluten must also adhere to staying away from barley (which lurks in many things and is NOT covered by this law), rye and oats that are usually cross-contaminated with wheat and thus must be avoided, unless one purchases specially marked GF oats.

The remaining seven allergens covered by the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) are often needed to be avoided by those with special needs, as their bodies cannot tolerate the proteins found in these allergens: soy, milk, crustacean shellfish, fish, eggs, peanuts, and tree nuts.

What many people do not realize is that many children with Down Syndrome can also be helped with a GFCF diet. There is a high incidence of children with Down Syndrome having Celiac Disease, an inability to properly digest gluten. Those with Celiac Disease must adhere to being gluten free 100% of the time, forever.

Children and adults with ASD, and ADD/ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) have reversed many of the above listed characteristics and traits by adhering to the Feingold Diet, which avoids additives in foods, such as: preservatives, MSG, aspartame, artificial colors/dyes and artificial flavors, anything else that is not natural and even certain natural fruits and vegetables that can cause disturbances in the body, called phenols or salicylates. The above-mentioned additives, as well as nitrites, nitrates, and high fructose corn syrup, could have detrimental effects on the body. Many children have had great success with, not only, Feingold, but also, adding a GFCF lifestyle to their daily lives.

Yeast is also a common problem for a number of people. An overgrowth of yeast is called Candida albicans. Many of the above mentioned symptoms could be attributed to yeast overgrowth from ingesting certain foods. Yeast can also cause confusion, lethargy, headaches, stomachaches, depression and more.

Avoiding gluten, casein, soy, artificial ingredients, chemicals, and yeast has also shown great success in those with mental illness, as well as gastrointestinal disorders such as: Crohn’s, Colitis, and other bowel related diseases.

***

A big nonna hug to my guest blogger Barrie Silberberg:

For much more in-depth details to everything mentioned in this article and much more, please go to Barrie Silberberg’s web site: www.puttingyourkidsfirst.com and discover more about her book: The Autism & ADHD Diet: A Step-by-Step Guide to Hope and Healing by Living Gluten Free and Casein Free (GFCF) and Other Interventions.

The Autism & ADHD Diet is available at all major bookstores, Amazon.com and many other online book retailers.

Reprinted with permission from Parenting Special Needs Magazine, Mar/Apr ‘11 Issue, Copyright [2011] by Parenting Special Needs LLC.  http://www.parentingspecialneeds.org

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Try Rannosaurus® is a growing dinosaur with a massive appetite. Unfortunately, his brain isn’t in direct proportion to his large mass. To make matters more difficult for him, he isn’t the most coordinated creature in the forest either. Try has one thing on his mind–food. His tummy’s growling is a constant source of distraction as he searches for a very special veggie. At day’s end, he surprises everyone.

Betty Baby Bite s^TM is Try’s best buddy and she’s the brains behind the dinosaur. She’s a foodie, loving the culinary arts. Betty can often be found supervising meals, while offering encouragement. She loves to interject her favorite Italian words of support: fantastico and bravo.

Betty and Try’s mealtime experiences emphasize the goodness of non-processed whole foods. Vegetable-challenged children are disarmed because Try is eager to try any new food (that’s why he’s named Try) and his favorite is the green variety (after all he’s green). Try bellows, “Green food is yummy” and “I’m so hungry I could eat a tree”!

The Forest Feast is designed as a multi-sensory experience. Recipes are included at the end of each segment, so parents can make the meals that Try and Betty enjoy with their children. In addition there are numerous whole foods activities for parents and teachers to do in conjunction with reading The Forest Feast to children. They are found on the right column of this page: The Forest Feast Teaching Helps: >Click Here.

This holiday season when you purchase The Forest Feast, the shipping is FREE. It’s also available in combo packages with additional savings:

1) Combo Pack. You’ll save when you purchase both books! The Combo Pack includes 1 copy of: Baby Bites — Transforming A Picky Eater Into A Healthy Eater, the parenting book. PLUS 1 copy of The Forest Feast — Baby Bites Mealtime Adventures. The Children’s Whole Foods Storybook. >Click Here for more information.

2) Child’s Gift Package.
It’s the perfect gift fusing fun with healthy eating, whether the child is a picky eater or not. The Child’s Gift package makes the perfect holiday or birthday gift for a pre-schooler or early elementary child. The Child’s Gift Package includes The Forest Feaststorybook; an apron with image of either Betty Baby Bites OR Try Rannosaurus; a stuffed green dino, one wooden spoon; and a green gift bag. >Click Here for more information.

My holiday wish for you:
Mangi bene, ridi spesso, ama molto. (Eat well, laugh often, love much.)

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Years ago, I attended a seminar on safety. The following tips have much of the information that was presented. Although these tips came to me in an email  transmission and I have no idea who originally sent or compiled the information. We all need a reminder now and again on how to keep ourselves and our children safe. I added the last safety tip, it’s mine. If you ever walk alone, you’ll want to take a few precautions.

Zach defends himself from an imaginary threat. Could you defend yourself from a real threat?

Think ahead to be safe:

1. The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

2. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you…and run in the opposite direction. Chances are he’s more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for your wallet/purse.

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won’t see you, but everybody else will. This may save you life.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.) DON’T DO THIS! A predator may be watching you, and this Is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, And tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, Repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your air bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat he will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body In a remote location.

5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot or parking garage:
A.) Be aware: Look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat
B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
C.) Look at the car parked on the driver’s side of your vehicle, and the passenger side… If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; and even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, preferably in a zig-zag pattern!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP…it may get you raped or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked for help into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

9) I live in the country. I love to walk outside and usually take a 2.3 mile walk. One day, I was attacked by two large dogs. At that time my husband was with me, but it got me thinking, “What would I have done if I were alone?” I’m not afraid of dogs. In fact, I love dogs, and I never thought a dog would come after me. Now, before I leave the house for a walk, often by myself, I take a few things with me.  I keep a spare house key on a keyring with pepper spray. The pepper spray might be very uncomfortable for a dog or person who might want to harm me, but it won’t do any permanent damage. My name and contact phone numbers are taped on it. That way, if I’m injured along the way, anyone helping me will know who I am and who they can call. That goes into one pocket. In the other pocket, I put my cell phone. Next to my keyring by the front door, I keep a whistle on a chain which I place around my neck as I leave the house. I hope I never have an opportunity to use any of these for self-defense or an emergency. Although, I’m prepared if I need to defend myself or call for help.

Wow, I really needed this safety update for myself. It’s easy to forget about our personal safety. We all need a reminder to be aware of our surroundings and how to defend ourselves. Forward this link on to someone you care about: a sister, a friend, your cousin, or post this link on your Facebook page: http://www.babybites.info/2009/02/05/safety-tips/

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Hiding nutrition is helpful in the short-run, but I believe the goal should be for children to learn to enjoy the various textures and flavors of whole foods. There isn’t one good reason why whole foods shouldn’t be your youngster’s Preferred Food! Now is the perfect time to start. The holidays are over and we’ve all made resolutions to become healthier in 2009.

Taste for nutritious foods can be acquired at any age. The first step is to limit sugar and junk foods. Cooking delicious wholesome meals definitely will move your picky child in the direction of healthy eating. Casseroles are a way to meld flavors of healthful foods usually refused, like spinach, so that they are acceptable. (See  Spinach and Tomato Medley.) The spinach takes on the other flavors in the dish.

Super foods can be disguised to help build super strong kids, like Joshy.

Stealth health is valuable while you’re in the initial stages of transforming your child to a healthy eater. Stealth health can be especially helpful, if your picky eater is very limited in her choices, especially when it comes to vegetables.

Whole foods are a vital part of the healthy eater equation and should be integrated from the very beginning of your child’s eating transformation. Especially during the initial steps, you’ll want to slip them into things he’s already eating.

Often it’s as simple as changing from an inferior brand of bread to a nutritionally-packed one at your grocers. It’s supercharging a breakfast fruit smoothie with flax seed oil, barley green, or powdered acia berries or vitamin C. Other times, it’s making a healthful puréed vegetable soup for the vegetable-challenged child. Once veggies are no longer recognizable (because they have been puréed in the blender) a picky child is none-the-wiser she’s eaten something healthful. One of the most fun approaches, as well as challenging, is integrating snack and dessert items (try Brownie Surprise) they aren’t only tasty, but healthful.

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The compounds are first organized by the taste receptor cells, which, when activated, stimulate taste bud cells and the neural fibers connected to them. The brain then interprets these. However, the authors say that the quality of taste can’t be separated from indulging in food just for pleasure.

“What adaptive function does a taste quality serve?” The authors conclude what an animal ingests, both in the short-term and over a lifetime, has consequences for survival. So critical is taste in this respect that people, who lose their sense of taste, such as after radiation therapy, often will not eat.

Grace says strawberries are tasty!

While we may tend to take the sense of taste for granted, relative to other senses, it turns out that it’s important for health and quality of life. Breslin and Spector ultimately reinforce the importance of teaching your children how to enjoy the various tastes and textures of whole foods! What you do now, will affect them for the rest of their lives.

Children (and adults) instinctively gravitate toward sweet tasting foods. Food producers know this and you’ll find that sugar is a common ingredient in processed foods. Because sugar consumption is so prevalent,  our children’s health has been compromised. This is hard to comprehend, but each person eats approximately 150 pounds of sugar a year. That’s about two and a half pounds of sugar every week!

You can teach your child, even a picky eater, to enjoy the taste and texture of whole foods. ( CLICK HERE to find out more about how to teach your child to love whole foods.) If you have a picky eater, who refuses to eat new foods with different tastes, it’s important to include positive auditory and tactile experiences to promote healthy eating patterns. The Baby Bite steps incorporate multi-sensory learning into mealtime experiences for the picky eater. 

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“For example, he says, even a need as basic as nutrition is compromised when money is poorly allocated or spent. The average American slurps 53 gallons of soft drinks every year, and now spends more in restaurants than in grocery stores. “Even wild monkeys have healthier diets than most Americans,” says anthropologist Katharine Milton, “partly because in our fast-paced world, the emphasis is on snack-ability, convenience, and shelf life rather than the human life.”

Americans also rank near the bottom among industrial nations in health per unit of food, spending the least for food, but the most for health care. In spite of the expenditures, we’ve fallen to 42nd place in the world for longevity. We’re also 42nd in infant mortality, but number 1 in obesity.”

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We lie most about what we eat. Because we desperately want to believe we eat a healthy diet; we comfort ourselves with lies and food myths. We believe we eat better than most of the world!

Americans are fatter than the rest of the world, but that doesn’t mean that we eat better. We can afford to eat out a lot and statistics show that people eat out at least 4 times a week. Nearly half of our food budget, that’s 46 percent, is spent on eating out-most of that at fast food restaurants. Even picky eaters will eat fast food, in fact junk foods are usually the picky eaters favorite. Depending on where you eat, eating out can be twice as expensive as cooking at home. In addition, cooking has changed from preparing whole foods to heating up or assembling processed foods.

Our eating habits are costing families more than dollars. It’s not only cheaper, but healthier to do your own cooking. You have no control of what’s in the food you purchase out. Foods in fancy restaurants and fast food restaurants have a commonality: Trans fat, sugar, and MSG.

Pictured: Zach, Angel & Joshy eating an ice cream treat.

Morgan Spurlock, producer, director, and guinea pig of Super-Size Me, shocked America by documenting his month-long fast-food binge. I had no desire to watch his movie…until last week. I thought the premise was preposterous, after all, who wouldn’t expect to gain weight after eating exclusively at McDonalds?

I couldn’t have been more wrong. Supersize-Me, actually shed light on the not-so-obvious perils of regularly eating fast foods. Spurlock became a fast-food lab rat for one month. He calls it his “month in Hell.”

A team of health advisers documented his experiment. By day 18, his whole body was in a meltdown: headaches, body aches, and lack of energy. No surprise, his cholesterol and tryglycerides skyrocketed. What’s worse, his liver began to fail. Despite this, he found himself craving the foods that he was consuming! Morgan’s health team neglected to make a couple of significant connections. They were at a loss for the cause of his headaches.

MSG is a hidden ingredient in much of McDonalds’ food, including fries. MSG is an excitotoxin, which over-stimulate brain cells to the point that they die. Many people experience headaches when this occurs. It seems likely that MSG was the cause of Morgan’s headaches. It’s a shame that Morgan’s health team missed this important connection.

They were also at a loss as to why Morgan’s liver began to fail after only eighteen days. They concluded it was because of the saturated fat he was ingesting. It was a red herring! They neglected to isolate Trans Fat from natural saturated fats. Trans Fat is manmade and can’t be properly metabolized into your body. Fast foods (as are all restaurant fried foods) are loaded with trans fat.

The government recommends that we, and especially children, don’t eat any trans fat. Since 2006, it became mandatory to list trans fat on nutrition labels. In fact, McDonalds website lists the trans fat in their foods. A small fry has 3½ grams; medium 5 grams, and a large fry 8 grams. Happy Meals, purchased for small children, fall somewhere between 4 and 5 grams of trans fat.

Trans fat can be found in most of McDonalds foods: salads, shakes, hamburgers, all fried foods including chicken McNuggets, sandwiches, cookies, biscuits, burritos, and of course their fries. Morgan was ingesting trans fat in just about every bite of food. No wonder his liver began to fail!

Most of us don’t eat exclusively at McDonalds,  but you should be able to eat at ANY restaurant for a month without your health failing —even if you put on a few pounds.

It DOES matter what we eat! Desperate parents often give in to their picky eaters, who willingly eat junk foods. CLICK HERE for Baby Bites: Transforming a Picky Eater into a Healthy Eater. The cost of eating well is measured in not only dollars, but health.

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