health article

Many people are firm believers that cow’s milk is the “perfect food” and you will never
be able to change their minds. But parents need to educate themselves about milk
allergies and lactose intolerances with their children in mind to be forewarned. One main
reason why cow’s milk isn’t that great for you is that it was made for cows, not humans.
Secondly, if you are not consuming magnesium along with cow milk, you are not
benefiting from the calcium.  Thirdly, if you consume something with iron in it, your
body also cannot uptake calcium at all.  So, red meat and a glass of milk, is not a great
idea.

The reaction of the immune system to milk proteins and milk products is a milk allergy.
These are signs and symptoms that will appear while the child is an infant.  This affects
the digestive system along with skin and airways.  Milk allergies can be life threatening to
infants if not recognized and something done about it.  Infants who develop milk allergies
are usually put on soy milk by the family doctor.

Lactose intolerance shows up a couple of years later and is caused by the body not being
able to break down the milk sugar lactose.  This affects the digestion only, and causes
symptoms such as bloating, gas and loose bowels. This occurs only after drinking milk or
eating dairy products.  This is not a serious intolerance and many people can still drink
milk or dairy products in small amounts and not really feel any symptoms.

If a child or adult is found to be milk-allergic, it is best to know that not all “milk-free”
labels are misleading, and they still can have milk protein in it.  Some of the soy cheesesthat are labeled as milk free can still have some milk in it, so read the labels very
carefully.

Many nondairy foods can be substituted for milk or milk products. Be aware, however,
that just because a food is labeled "nondairy," it does not necessarily mean that it is milk
free. Even a "milk-free" label can be misleading. For example, some soy cheeses claim to
be milk free but may still contain milk protein. That's why it's always important to read all
food labels when you have a milk-allergic child.

Even if we are not sick and look healthy, we may not be getting enough adequate
nutrition.  We can improve our state of health by simply knowing what nutrition we need.
Nutrition is about what the food is all about, the amount we need, its function, and the
basic materials we need for our body in order for it to continue on with its daily activities.
 By knowing how to take care of our body through nutrition, we can maintain its high
performance levels instead of being unable to because of the low levels.

When we eat meals, it is important to understand that we should not mix raw food with
cooked food, as this will produce acid in the stomach. This acid does not mix well with
the raw food and will create indigestion. Another thing to think about is when eating raw
fruits and vegetables, we should try to stay with organic foods due to the amount of
pesticides that are usually on the non-organic foods.

Foods in different categories that are mixed together can cause an imbalance in the body.
For example: when we eat a meal high in both fats and simple carbohydrates, we become
tired and exhausted while we develop muddled thinking. The reason is our tissue is not
receiving enough oxygen.  Carbohydrates are simple and complex: simple carbohydrates
should be totally eliminated while complex ones are very beneficial for us. Fresh fruitsand vegetables produce elimination while vitamin D milk and cheese counter it. When we
send mixed messages to our body because of our lack of knowledge about its nutrition, it
causes disorder and disease.

When we go for periods of time in-between meals, the body becomes very active and
more alert when food is not consumed.  It is believed that three hours or more is adequate
between meals before another meal should be eaten. 

There are certain types of foods that are eliminated by the body quicker than others. These
are unprocessed foods containing adequate fiber in foods such as fresh fruits, freshvegetables, and whole grains. If these types of food would be consumed more, bodily
conditions of diseases, constipation and other bowel complications would be avoided. 

When foods types like beans, peas, green vegetables, fresh fruits of all types, whole grain
breads, and cereals are eaten, an easily managed mass of residue is easily passed through
the intestines. The time frame of 72 hours or less is normal for the remains of the
consumed foods to pass through the bowels with elimination of four to six hours for
extremely healthy people. This short time span is easier on the gastrointestinal tract than
the consumption of white flour and sugar foods that are low fiber residue.

The body becomes more active and alert when the body does not consume food for a
period of time.  It is believed that three hours or more is adequate between meals before
another meal should be eaten.  Of course, this varies on the type of meal that is eaten,
what types of food, and how much is eaten.

It is also a natural tendency of the human body to rest while it is digesting food: ten
minutes before consuming a meal and half-an-hour after consuming the meal is thought
to be the most beneficial.  The largest meal of the day should be eaten around noon as the
body’s physiological capacities are at their peak during this time.  This would be a
problem in today’s world as after the meal, lying down for about half-an-hour may
present a problem.  So, many individuals eat their largest meal after work or at the end of
the day when they can relax at leisure.

Most parents would worry that if they keep their children from eating those fatty foods
that they love, and only offer vegetables, that the children will starve, or have nutritional
deficiencies.  These parents feel that the kids will just not eat the food.  If you think about
it this way, how much nutrients are they receiving from the fatty, processed foods now?

If their diet consists of French fries, mashed potatoes, apple sauce, chocolate pudding,
and maybe chicken fingers, how could it be worse if you only offer fruits and vegetables?
Sure, maybe they will demand to have the foods they like, and not eat. 

They willeventually get hungry and if you keep offering fruits and vegetables and do not give in,you will see that they will begin to enjoy it, especially if they see everyone else in thefamily eating healthier.
Incorporate bean soups, such as yummy lentil soup and if that doesn’t work make your
lentil soup into a “lentil burger”.  You may have to gradually change their eating styles.
Try making fresh bean and/or vegetable soups with some cheese sprinkled on it.  Make
sure it is tasty, and not too spicy.  Make homemade pancakes with wheat and only
sweeten it with pure raw honey.  Make fruit shakes and throw in a carrot or romaine
lettuce. Make tasty salads with homemade dressings….and also make faces out of the
tomatoes and cucumbers and carrots.  Make tasty salmon and have them try it. 

There are so many possibilities and recipes that you can try.  Do not give up on your child
because they have shown a dislike for a vegetable or fruit.  Just eat it around them and
watch them ask you for a piece.  Keep offering it to them at dinnertime and ask them to
eat a couple of bites. 

If children eat plenty of fruits and green leafy vegetables, they are also getting their
calcium requirements.  But you could also include some almond milk or rice milk if you
want.
The focus is to keep introducing them to new foods so that they develop a taste for natural
foods that we as humans were meant to eat.

Every mother wants the best for her child.  You want your child to look healthy, grow
proportionately, feel energized and have a great immune system.  So, why do most
parents in America feed their children junk food by the time they start eating table food?
Why do most restaurants serve French fries or macaroni and cheese for side orders and
not steamed broccoli?  It is really a sad situation to watch young children who are obese.

Even schools offer peanut butter and jelly or ice cream for lunch. 
To ensure that your child is eating correctly you must feed them plenty of fruits and
vegetables.  But the trick is to make it delicious and fun.  For instance, for breakfast,
arrange a platter of fruit, oranges, grapefruit, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, they will
love it!  Make faces out of the fruit.  Have them drink only water and no sugar 100% fruit
juice that you juice yourself.  Get them used to eating vegetables that are uncooked.
Whenever they get hungry, offer small baby carrots, or celery, they will grow to love the
taste just the way it is.  You can introduce a new vegetable each week and learn how to
hide it into your food.  For instance, chop up Portobello mushrooms in a chopper and add
it to your pasta sauce and watch them gobble it up, barely noticing the mushrooms.  Make
blanched broccoli (plain) and eat that for dinner.  If they see you eating healthy, they will
learn early on to eat that way.  Do not let them eat packaged foods, such as macaroni and
cheese, or fried chicken fingers, or anything fried for that matter.  Make sure that they eat
vegetables at every meal and be careful when you go out to eat. 

Offer natural desserts that you have made at home, such as homemade sorbet, or fruit
smoothie, or peach cobbler pie (all natural).  Stay away from cakes, cookies, etc that have
preservatives and other unnatural flavorings.  Make it yourself and offer it occasionally.
You will find that they watch you and what you eat and if you incorporate a much
healthier menu, so will they. 

The best part of raising your children to learn to love fruits and vegetables is that you will
notice that they will turn down junk food when you are not around.  At that point you will
know that you have done your part in raising healthy adults.