Have A Happy, HEALTHFUL, Fun and Safe Halloween!

All year we try help our children choose health-promoting food... more antioxidants, more Vitamin D, less HFCS, no trans fats, and on and on.  We read labels and cook so we can eat family meals.  We look for deep reds and dark greens to provide vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.  We steam, we bake, and we don't fry. Then why do we abandon all our efforts on Halloween? 

Before we think about WHAT we can do instead of having candy, candy and more candy, let us find motivation for making change from research about food colorings and refined added sugars.  Research published in the Lancet, a British medical journal, in recent years indicated that food colorings and the food additive sodium benzoate led to an increase in hyperactive behavior in both preschoolers and school age children.  Most food with added colors generally are NOT essential (or necessary in any way) for health. This includes candy-especially vibrant colored candy such as lollipops, Starbursts, Skittles, M&Ms, etc  (It’s amazing to think how many different candy kids will accept and how few veggies some are willing to accept- many the same color!)  This year as you begin to purchase your halloween costumes and decoration, rethink what you can give out as "treats"... kids LOVE non-food items as much as candy!  (see side bar for ideas) or more healthful choices like pretzels or graham crackers. 

Research regarding sugar and hyperactivity has never been conclusive.  The most solid research suggests that the issue is the relationship of sugar (carbohydrate)  to protein in the diet.  Too many carbs and not enough protein leads to hyperactivity.  But even if you pile on the chicken, beans, eggs or peanut butter before Trick-or-Treating, you will not reduce the health risks of sugar.

The American Heart Association, a very conservative, mainstream non-profit organization recently recommended no more than 6 teaspoons a day of added sugar.  A lollipop has two teaspoons of sugar; Reese's, Snickers, Kit Kat all have 2 ½ teaspoons; 3 teaspoons in a Milky Way or Junior Mint.  

A little bit doesn't hurt, or does it? Remember that chronic disease starts in childhood and it is not just Halloween night but the weeks after, followed by the December holidays, Valentine's Day and then Easter! Excessive sugar intake is related to obesity (between 30-40% of our American kids are obese) and all of the weight related disorders such as cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.  Even skinny kids eating an excess sugar are at risk for heart disease as sugar increases triglycerides and may also increase blood pressure.  And we can't forget sugar's contribution to dental caries.

So let's redefine what Halloween “treats” are and find some satisfying alternatives that keep us and our kids healthy.  Remember you are your kids most influential role model.  Be a good one! 

Alternative Halloween "Treats":

-Pencils, erasers, crayons

 -Memo pads, coloring books

-Individual packs of pretzels, animal cookies, dried fruit, gum

-Rings, necklaces, bracelets

-Individual packs of Playdough

-Little cars, plastic animals 

-Bubbles

Remember, there are a lot of children with food allergies and other medical issues that prevent them from being able to eat candy, so offering non-food goodies allows everyone to take part in this fun day!

Be Well, Be NutritionWise

Nicole Meadow, MPN, RD, CSP, CLC

visit me on facebook at www.facebook.com/nutritionwise

ReCall ReCalls

This year has seen recalls of trusted brands- Johnson and Johnson (Benydryl) and Abbott (Similac). We have had eggs recalled, spinach recalled, peanut butter recalled and meat recalled.

Many of the recalls are for poor manufacturing practices leading to bacterial contamination. Others are for products with unlabeled allergens. Many are for dietary supplements with scary sounding non-dietary ingredients ("6-Etioallochol-1,4-Diene-3,17-Dione, also known as ATD, an aromatase inhibitor").

How do you stay on top of all them? Try what I do, subscribe to the FDA recalls. I get an email once a day with product recalls. This is one way that you will hear about all recalls without relying on the news. This is especially important if you have kids with allergies as those labeling recalls don't make it to the press.

Go to http://www.fda.gov/ and look to the right and you will find where to subscribe to email alerts.

How do you minimize your risk?
1. Avoid bagged salads. These veggies have a lot of handling prior to bagging and then those plastic bags work like little incubators to allow any bacteria to grow. Organic may limit pesticide exposure but it will not limit bacteria exposure.
2. Avoid sprouts in containers. These are favorites of bacteria. Sprout your own , super-easy. Get a jar, a piece of screen or cheesecloth. Put in a tablespoons of alfalfa seeds or beans (check your natural foods stores, many sell these for sprouting). Secure the cheesecloth or screen. Pour in some water, rinse daily and watch them grow.
3. Use a different cutting board for produce and meats/fish/chicken. Get those silicone boards in different colors and reserve boards for each type of food. Make sure to wash your hands after touching raw meat and use a different knife for raw meat, cooked meat and produce.
4. Eat only well cooked eggs. The days of eating raw cookie dough are over. If you need to use raw eggs in a recipe such as Aoli sauce, there are pasteurized eggs available in the refrigerator section at many markets.
5. Avoid raw milk. Raw milk may be a wonderful food with many magical properties but in our society today, it can also be a poison. Raw milk is from cows on farms and usually there is more than one cow. So just like in preschool, a couple of kids leads to infections, so is true with milk. More cows, more risk. Then the transport may allow for those bacteria to grow so by the time that milk touches your lips, it may be full of undesirables. As with eggs, you want raw eggs, buy a chicken you want raw milk buy a cow (or goat).
6. "Natural" or "Organic" does not protect you. Remember the recent peanut butter recall? That included products from Little Debbie cookies to organic and natural energy bars found at stores like Whole Foods. Unpasteurized organic juices also pose risks.
7. Refrigerate foods that need refrigeration. Don't leave foods out, bacteria love warm and moist.

-Patricia

Gluten free play....

There is controversy regarding the need for children with allergies to wheat (gluten) or with Celiac disease to avoid skin contact with these allergens (the substance that causes the reaction). Common medical thought is often that it is okay to have playdough, lotion or shampoo with allergens as these are not eaten. Well, for those of us with kids or working with kids, we know that anything can be eaten, purposely or accidently (puradently?). We also have all seen kids develop rashes from milk-based or wheat-enhanced shampoos and lotions.

There are many shampoo and lotions WITHOUT allergens, read the labels and avoid those. What to do then when presented with play dough? Make your own.

Here is a recipe adapted from Cooks.com for cornstarch/baking soda play dough.

Hints for natural food colors are listed at the bottom and how great would it be to eat beets and then dye your play dough purple.

2 cups baking soda mixed with 1 cup cornstarch in a saucepan

1 1/2 cup warm water * (see below for scent and color)

Add water to the cornstarch/baking soda. Mix until smooth, then gradually bring to a boil over medium heat, mixing all of the time. Remove from heat and put on a board. When cool, knead smooth. Store in a covered containe

* Color and scent : Add a few drops of food coloring to the water. Want it "natural",

use dark brewed tea instead of water, add beet juice (steam up some beets and

use the water). For scent, use spices such as pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon.

Try liquid extracts like peppermint, vanilla or lemon. Use unsweetened Kool Aid or

Sugar free gelatin to both color and scent.

Patricia

Easter Baskets for Special Diets

First a disclaimer.....see past blogs about sugar and behavior and sugar and heart disease... (and lets not forget tooth decay).

Sometimes, though, candy is going to be in the picture so what do you do when you need a candy that is gluten free or casein free or dye free or soy free or (fill in the blank) free?

This website, http://www.naturalcandystore.com/category/special-diets

allows you to search for candies that meet specific dietary criteria. In addition to candy they also have toppings and baking supplies (sprinkles!). After you search, you can view the ingredients before you place your order.

While filling your basket (or party bag or whatever) think about other special items to toss in OTHER than candy. Playdough, whistles, balls, a "coupon" for an outing, bubbles, seeds or little plants for spring planting (try sweet peas, for an easy veggie to grow).

Adding an orange, kiwi or little apple can even make the fruit look more appetizing (humor me!)

Enjoy the spring!

-Patricia

Allergies: It is all upside down.

Our hypothesis is that by introducing the food into the diet early on, the body will see it as normal and won't become allergic to it. We're questioning a fundamental preconception," -Graham Roberts, MD, pediatric allergist at King's College London.

The annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology is occurring right now and research is being presented that challenges early feeding recommendations. About two years ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics tossed out the notion that holding back on introducing specific foods will prevent allergies. Although that recommendation was made, most pediatricians are still telling parents to wait until 2-5 years of age to introduce common allergens such as nuts, fish or even eggs. But according to recent research, holding back on these foods may actually increase the risk of allergies.

What to do when your 9 month old is staring at that peanut butter Ritz Bitz? At this point, the answer seems to be pretty controversial. Ask your allergist or pediatrician what s/he thinks about this research.

-Patricia

"Free" Holiday Ideas - TWO

Gluten Free can be tough this time a year, especially for kids. Eating before you go to parties may be one way to make sure you have a safe meal but is not much fun AND once there is food in sight, you (or your child) is probably going to want to eat again.

Bringing some easily bagged snacks such as crackers, cheese, veggies or fruits can help but when everyone else is eating a meal, don't you want one too?
Solution: Orgran makes individual cans of GF pasta with tomato sauce. Pop top lid single serving can is great for taking to parties, putting in the lunch box or storing with the earthquake supplies.
Orgran is often carried by smaller, independent natural foods stores or can be ordered online at the traditional GF sites or Amazon.

-Patricia

What our kids with food allergies WANT us to know!

Courtesy of www.allergymoms.com, here are some ways that we can help our kids who have food allergies feel like everyone else, despite their special dietary needs. Enjoy!

*(You can download a nice copy of this article on their website)


10 Things Children with Food Allergies Want You to Know
By Gina Clowes

1. I long to be included. I would like to look, act and eat like everyone else. I’d like to buy my lunch and sit wherever I want. I know I can’t, but I am so happy inside when someone cares enough to provide a safe potato chip, cookie or Popsicle for me. It’s nice when I can have something similar to what others are eating but I love it when I can eat the same thing as everyone else. Whenever it’s possible, please think to include me!

2. I’m scared I could die from my food allergies. I’ve heard my parents and teachers mention “life-threatening” food allergies and I remember having some reactions where I felt very sick and really scared. I could see how frightened my parents were too. Sometimes, I could use a little reassurance that I will be okay.

3. I feel like I’m the only one sometimes. If you have a support group or another way to arrange for me to meet other children who have food allergies, I would really like to know that I am not the only kid who has food allergies. Having another friend with food allergies in my classroom or at lunch time helps too.

4. I get confused when grown-ups offer me food. I know I’m supposed to be polite and listen to grown-ups, but my parents have told me I am only supposed to take food from them. When you offer me food or especially candy, I’d like to take it but I’m not sure about what I am supposed to do.

5. I get itchy spots sometimes when grown-ups kiss me after they’ve eaten something I’m allergic to. I get itchy spots when your dog licks me too. I’m not quite brave enough to tell you this so I’m hoping you will remember that if you have just eaten something that I’m allergic to, I may get hives if you kiss me soon afterward.

6. I’m embarrassed when people fuss over what I’m eating. I know I have to eat my own safe food, but it’s easier for me when I’m not singled out. Sometimes, it’s embarrassing when grown-ups ask lots of questions. I love to fit in more than anything.

7. I hear all adult conversations about my food allergies. My ears perk up when I hear grown-ups mention my name or food allergies, so don’t pity me or act terrified because then I get scared. Food allergies are just one part of me. Let me overhear you talk about all the other wonderful things about me!

8.Sometimes I’m sad about having food allergies. It’s hard to be the only kid in class not having a cupcake and eating something different from my box of “safe treats” especially when there are about 20 other birthdays in my class. I know it’s not the end of the world, but from my perspective, it’s tough at times.

9. I’m watching you—Mom and Dad! You may think that I’m too little to notice, but I see that you went back home to get my Epi-Pen® when you forgot it. I see that you read the ingredients on the Smarties every time. You are my role models and I am learning how to manage my food allergies from you!

10. I will do about as well as you do. My parents “can-do” attitude will help me cope with the challenges of living with allergies and ensure that food allergies don’t stop me from being everything I was meant to be!

Food Allergies with Style

Managing your child’s food allergies involves not only food but a list of other things including medical ID bracelets, medication carriers and emergency plans/phone numbers. We try to do everything that we can to make our kids feel included by bringing foods that are like their friends but then, what about that bracelet or bag they have to carry? Are they wearing it when we aren’t with them? Do they have emergency phone numbers or information in case something happens?

Never fear… there are several online resources, like www.stickyj.com, that offer a wide variety of very fashionable medical ID bracelets (think leather, watches and beaded bracelets) or www.laurenshope.com (glow in the dark and mood straps). With all of the cool styles offered, your child will actually WANT to wear it (and their friends will probably want one too). My son has his eye on the camo wristband... I think it will be my next purchase!

In all seriousness, medical ID bracelets and portable self-injectable epinephrine and other medications are essential and can save your child’s life. Always remember to educate others about your child’s allergies, teach them how to avoid exposures and what to due in the event of an accidental exposure/ingestion.

Additional resources:
www.medicalidstore.com
http://www.petitebaublesboutique.com/
www.vitalid.ca
http://www.americanmedical-id.com
http://lifetag-alert.stores.yahoo.net/
http://www.n-styleid.com/
http://www.creativemedicalid.com/
www.foodallergy.org

The next Food Allergy Support Group Meeting will be on Saturday February 21st at 10am... it's free! Email for more details info@nicolemeadow.com