Pantry Detoxification

Dear Parents:

We know that you want the best for your child. One area that is extremely important to a child’s development is nutrition. However, we are at war with the food industry marketing unhealthy foods to our children. Children are marketed to constantly through television advertising. Parents only have the opportunity to market healthy food a few times per day. Very few children eat the 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables recommended daily. Our children are becoming more and more malnourished and their future health is being impacted.

We would like to help provide you with some solutions to help you win this war. Now remember, this is not a race. It takes at least 3 months to develop a new habit. These changes in lifestyle will provide the foundation for a lifetime of good habits.

Go through your pantry and refrigerator and identify all of the foods/beverages that contain high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils. If it’s something that is not a big staple in your child’s or your diet, then throw it out and make a mental note to not buy it again. If it is, then use what you have and the next time you go to the market, try and find a healthier alternative. Trader Joe’s has numerous crackers and chips that do not contain these ingredients. If the items are fruit snacks & fruit leathers, substitute fresh fruit. If it’s soda, then try sparkling water or diluted 100% juice. If your child or spouse do not like the substitution, keep trying but inform them that what they were previously eating was hurting their intelligence and athletic ability. If you have questions or comments please feel free to e-mail Regina at regina@desertwomenshealth.com.