Recent Q&A's

GOOD FATS

What are ‘good’ fats? I thought low fat diets were the way to eat?

Too much of anything is not good. But, we all need fats to function. Our bodies are made up of a system of organs and organs need fat to protect them physically and to function properly. Our brain is no exception. As an organ, the brain also needs fat. Choose ‘good fats’, such as Omega-3 essential fatty acid; typically found in fish or supplemented with a strained variety (without mercury) of fish oil tablets. Omega-3 has shown to balance hormone levels, reduce cholesterol and help with many disorders, such as ADHD and Autism in children. See http://www.omega3fishoil.org/ for more info.


BREAKFAST AND KIDS

What do you do when kids kick the breakfast habit?

Breakfast has always been toted as the most important meal of the day. However, in our fast pace lifestyle, breakfast at best is a ‘fast break’. Grabbing a cup of java or rolling through the nearest drive thru for a hot butter biscuit seems to be more our speed. So how do we teach our kids to eat breakfast? Start by having more healthy and quick morning snacks around the kitchen. Fruits, yogurts and hard boiled eggs are good examples of grab and go foods for the morning. The night before try making one of the varieties of yogurt parfaits or waffles found in our book Brain Food: Recipes for success in school, sports and life.


FOOD ALLERGIES

Does my child have a food allergy?

Some allergies are inherited at birth, others are developed over time. When they are seen later in life, allergies may first start out as a sensitivity or intolerance. Severe reactions, including breathing difficulty and skin eruptions are indicative of full blown allergies. Most common sources of food associated with allergies and sensitivities are corn, dairy, wheat and nuts. Check out kidswithfoodallergies.org for related information on diagnosis of childhood allergies.



THE MORNING JOLT, COFFEE AND KIDS

Should your kids drink coffee before school?

Kids and caffeine first thing in the morning, especially in place of breakfast set kids up for memory and attention problems during class time. Drinking coffee or energy drinks without any breakfast foods which include protein go for the fast fix. The quick boost in energy in a high caffeinated and sugary drink is temporary. By the time ten o’clock rolls around, kids are dropping from their morning high and becoming irritable and unfocused. They have no food for fuel to sustain them through out the morning, and it is not lunch time yet. A little caffeine for older kids in the morning is ‘ok’ as long as it is paired with a protein rich morning snack (Example: yogurt with fruit or eggs). Just remember, kids need fuel to sustain their brain power for 3 to 4 hours at a time to be successful in school.