Published November 28, 2007 in the North Island Weekender

National Child Day is perhaps a time to reflect on the health of your children and plan for the coming year what goals you may have for his or her care including education, recreation, safety and health. So in addition to conventional medical wisdom, naturopathic wisdom is also worth planning for.

It is well documented that the diets of children in North America are high in processed foods and this has a direct impact on the performance of children’s brains and bodies. Optimal brain nutrition for children means more and better information processing and assimilation, improved learning capacity and enjoyment of learning. If there is child hunger defined by inadequate nutrient intake during the early years, progressive handicaps and impairments may result which can remain throughout life. By robbing children of their natural human potential, under-nutrition results in lost knowledge, brainpower, and productivity for the nation.

What may not be well known is that just a marginal nutritional boost results in an increase of the IQ of children 7.2 points after taking a quality multivitamin/mineral supplement for just 8 months! In another review of 13 clinical trials, the benefits of nutrients on children’s intelligence were evaluated, and those supplemented performed better on average regardless of location, age, gender, race, formula or research team composition. The mean net gain in nonverbal IQ was 9.8 points in these 13 studies. What this means is that in spite of a poor diet, supplementing children with the basics is very warranted, debunking the myth that in a so called balanced diet we can get all of the required nutrients. For the average family in North America, by the time food gets the table it is highly processed, cooked and or frozen to such an extent that many nutrients are missing.

With all the news on the TV these days regarding childhood obesity you know already what foods are causing the problems for children, the question is what to do about it.

1. Whole grains: several servings per day: this does not mean white rice or white bread. Try brown basmati rice which is still very flavorful and contains the rice bran. Silver Hills bread is the best sprouted wheat bread on the market in my opinion although I really encourage families to try the new delicious rice bread recipe that is on my website that works well in a bread machine!

2. Fruit: 1-2 servings per day. This does not include canned fruit but could include frozen fruit. Try Europe’s Best brand for delicious frozen fruit that works great as snacks or put into a blended smoothie. Cut up apples, raisins and pomegranates (having the children help you peal them under water is a good education) are some simple suggestions. Remember that grapes and strawberries have the highest amounts of pesticides applied to them, unless they are organic.

3. Vegetables: 3 ½ cup servings per day: this can include potatoes but not French fries. Try cucumbers, baby carrots, celery, salads all with their favorite dressings. Many people have no idea how a real carrot tastes! Try Pattison Farm vegetables whenever you can!

4. Breakfast cereals: These are not classified as whole grains because they are so processed, unless you are serving hot cereal. I emphasize eggs for breakfast for children as protein will stick with them longer. Some children will also like a Greens First and protein powder smoothie which may be made into popsicles! Choose cereals that are wheat free and with minimal or no sugar added (puffed rice or hemp granola).

5. Avoid sugary waters and juices and try green tea and herbal teas hot or cold. The Japanese train their children to the taste of bitter by getting them to drink green tea at a young age.

6. Protein: Instead of tuna salad sandwiches try sockeye salmon which is lower in mercury or free range chicken salad or egg salad sandwiches. Almonds make a great snack to keep in the car.

Introduce a new food 10 times and by the tenth time the child will have adapted a taste for it. Have them start the meal with one mouthful of the new food and then they can have the rest of their meal. Training taste buds at an early age is critical!

General supplements that most children benefit from include: a multivitamin/mineral chewable or liquid, a chewable or liquid calcium and magnesium supplement taken at bedtime for better sleeping, one tablespoon of cod liver oil for the DHA brain rich essential fats and vitamin D, and a good probiotic (acidophilus) for the immune system. All of the above will help prevent ear infections, asthma, stomach aches, eczema, dry skin, dry hair, excessive thirst, frequent urination, sleep problems, anxiety, ADHD, temper tantrums and other behavioral disorders. This is explained in more detail in the book “Brighter Mind” by Kyl Smith D.C.

The other most important aspect of health care for children is pre- conception care or the health of BOTH parents 4 months before conception. But that is for another article!