I drastically limit refined foods, for example I replace white rice with brown / black / red rice. we don’t EVER serve sodas or sugar drinks, and contrary to what advertising tells you: packaged NATURAL fruit juices is NOT good for health – its almost like drinking a softdrink and no health benefits. Packaged orange juice has been heated up to 100 degrees and pasteurized so all vitamins die. And the vitamin C is added ascorbic acid, so they can claim high vitamin C content.
I have in last 10 years, maybe 3-4 times served them the popular commercial chocolate flavoured milk additives (you know the popular brands)- its basically low quality sugar mix to make them drink milk. And its NOT good for their health, contrary to how its advertised.
I also drastically limit milk consumption – YES, contrary to what most people are led to believe, milk is NOT that beneficial for health. Especially not the milk available in our country, and that includes the near organic milk with LESS hormones / antibiotics and additives. Even milk in its raw organic form is not as beneficial as people think. ( if you interested in this, read my blog titled milk, good or bad).
I serve at least 2 fruits per day – more than that I find impractical, the balance phytonutrient needs come from giving them natural organically sourced vitamin supplements, and fruit and vegetable concentrate vitamins.
Commercial chocolates, cookies and sweets: do you have ANY idea what goes into those: low grade rawmaterials, cheap refined oils, cheapest possible grade refined sugar. And nearly 100% of even quality popular brands chocolate contains palmoil, and palm oil butter, which is now being regulated and even forbidden to be used in many countries. Those ingredients are inexpensive, gives a œsilky taste, and most importantly has amazing shelf-life of years, but the effect of consuming those oils is pretty much the same as smoking cigarettes. Do your own research, just google œtransfatty acids and palmoil. Most sensible people would not hand a lit cigarette to a 8 year old and teach them to smoke, but the effects of feeding them convenience food (including chips / namkeens / etc that all contain those) is pretty much the same on the body.
Just because the package of biscuits have a picture of a happy child, does not mean that it’s the right thing to give your child.
I serve them quality nuts (almonds / walnuts / cashews) every day as snack – on average 5-7 nuts per day. That’s it!
Though we technically are non vegetarians we only eat non veg 3-4 times per month. This means its impossible to get enough protein even from a well balanced vegetarian diets.
We limit special treats and candies to twice, maximum three times per week (I know this still sounds like a lot, but trust me most parents, even those who would state I don’t feed my little one junk unconsciously allow pure JUNK every day for their children). We instead make it a special occasion and the children really appreciate and enjoy it. And when we go on holiday – as we often do – we often have some NO limits days when the kids can eat nearly everything they want.
Here is the amazing thing: because we have been consistent and also explained to our daughters the impact good nutrition have, they themselves have now developed such positive habits that they enjoy quality food, and treats become special. To the point where they go to a birth day party they themselves will limit their intake.
I think giving our children a good education is important and the responsibility of a good parent. But I personally believe giving our children a healthy start and at least a reasonably nutritious diet on a daily basis is equally important.
