I like the fact that new studies come out regularly to prove that food is medicine. For the longest time, I followed Dr. Andrew Weil and I do believe he is on target in much of what he says, however after meeting him and his 20 foot tall ego, I tend to follow him less. I received an email today about an article he wrote basically saying that there’s a new study out that shows Healthier Diets means Emotionally Healthier Kids.
I was thinking about this yesterday at Whole Foods, overhearing a mom hear her kid wanting Cliff Bars asking if he likes them, to which he replied: “I love them”. I was thinking but did not say: “Of course he loves them. Check the sugar content, mom”. The smarter part of me just smiled and walked by. (Just smile and wave folks, just smile and wave).
We can say: “Well, it’s better than straight sugar or junk food” when it actually is just another form of junk food. And if we don’t step up and control and advise our kids, we are really hurting not helping.
Here’s the study:
The healthier kids’ diets, the less likely they are to have emotional problems and the better their self-esteem is likely to be. These findings come from a Swedish study that looked at 7,675 children ages 2 to 9 living in eight European countries. Adhering to a healthy diet that contains fruits and vegetables and limits intake of refined sugars and fat was associated with fewer emotional problems, better relationships with other children and higher self-esteem, the researchers reported.
Study leader Louise Arvidsson of Sweden’s University of Gothenburg noted that the findings suggest that adopting a healthy diet can improve wellbeing in children independent of the childrens’ socioeconomic status or body weight. When the study began, the researchers asked parents to report on how often each week their children consumed foods from a list of 43 items. The children’s wellbeing was assessed on the basis of parents’ reports on validated questionnaires regarding the youngsters’ self esteem, relationship with their parents, and emotional and peer problems. However, because the study was an observational one, it isn’t possible to conclude that the kids’ diet is what made them happy.
It doesn’t take a study to know that kids eating sugar are looking for satisfaction that perhaps they are missing in their lives. And it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that children go bizerk when given sugar. For those it doesn’t make crazy… it certainly does not help them remain calm. That’s not even counting in the inflammation it’s creating in their systems.
As mothers with young children, we are always looking for quick and easy, where the kid isn’t fighting you. I think what I am saying here is: It’s worth the fight to do right by your child. It all starts with you. Set the example and see what happens!
Healthy Happy Eating,
