Ever wonder why a 9-month-old will put anything in her mouth and the same 19-month-old refuses to eat anything new? This activity is so common that there’s even a name for it – neophobia or “the fear of new things”.

After observing my patients go through this over and over again I had to ask myself why? And I came to the conclusion kids were actually designed that way.

In this week’s video, I describe food neophobia and why it has an important place in childhood development.

If you have a baby who is still in the “hummm, let’s see what dust-bunnies taste like” phase of life, i.e. about six months old to about the time she begins to walk, here’s some great information to help you keep her from becoming a picky eater. If your child has already entered into the food neophobia phase and has a limited palate, there are ways make changes that will help you and your child though it.

Either way, I’d love to hear your picky eater story.

My child has lots of food allergies, is it safe to give them probiotics?

Are probiotics safe for kids with food allergies? Absolutely! In fact, I especially recommend probiotics for children with allergies because some studies have shown that probiotics can lessen the immune reaction against proteins in foods.

While there’s no guarantee that probiotics will help (not all studies have demonstrated positive results), no serious adverse effects have been reported. Probiotics are very safe.

But, as you are probably learning from dealing with allergies to milk, eggs, nuts, and shellfish, it’s important to at least check the label of any product you use to look carefully for any of his allergic triggers — by their various names — that might be used in the processing or as non-active ingredients.

Should Breastfeeding Moms Take Probiotics? Can babies take them directly?

I’m a big fan of nursing moms taking probiotics because many studies have shown benefits to babies’ immune systems. Most of these studies have used a strain of probiotic called LGG (found in a product called Culturelle). It may prove that a product with more strains or higher culture counts would be even more effective.

Not only do probiotics pass through into breast milk, they can usually be given directly to babies as well for similar beneficial effects. We all used to get more beneficial bacteria in our diets before pasteurization and sterilization of food (something that can be especially important for safety when food comes from overcrowded farming operations, travels great distances, or needs to stay fresh a long time). We benefit from regular exposure to beneficial bacteria — and all the more so in certain situations, such as when a baby needs to be treated with antibiotics.

Do probiotics really make a difference in your health?

Promoting healthy, diverse gut bacteria appears able to make a big difference in keeping us healthy. That’s why I regularly recommend probiotics to my patients. Which ones do I recommend?

Here are several nice options:

• Garden of Life’s Primal Defense for Kids- a total of 16 billion CFUs of 4 species of beneficial cultures in a teaspoon of powder.
• iFlora for Kids Multi-Probiotic – a total of 8 billion CFUs of 7 species per teaspoon of powder.
• Florastor Kids – each packet contains 5 billion CFUs of a single probiotic
• Udo’s Choice Children’s Probiotic – each capsule contains a total of 4 billion CFUs of 8 strains
• Nutraelle Digestive Care – a total of 10 billion CFUs of two species in a capsule
• Good Belly – a tasty juice drink that contains 10 billion CFU’s of a single probiotic in a 2.7 ounce shot
• In-Liven Probiotic Super Food by miessence – An organic option that contains 13 species of probiotics in a powder, along with Spirulina, Rolled Oats, Brown Rice, Wheat Grain, Pearl Barley, Linseed, Kidney Beans, Mung Beans, Adzuki Beans, Red Lentils, Chick Peas, Wheat Grass, Barley Grass, Alfalfa Grass, Beetroot, Sweet Potato, String Beans, Zucchini, Cabbage, Silverbeet, Spinach, Chinese Cabbage, Asparagus, Broccoli, Malt Liquid, and Molasses.

I grew up eating very different food than my children eat. I’m not just talking about different items on the menu, but an apples-to-apples comparison of the same foods shows a substantial difference in nutrient density.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard my wife say “tomatoes just don’t taste the way they did when I was growing up”. They don’t. And they don’t have as many nutrients, either. The soil our tomatoes (and every other agricultural product) grow in is far less nutrient rich than it was even 30 years ago.

Unless you and your family are getting a solid diet of organic fruits and vegetables, vitamin supplementation has become the name of the nutrition game

In fact, a lot more than just our fruits and vegetables have changed since then.

Even something as commonplace as sunscreen changes the way our bodies experience sun (the mechanism used by our bodies to generate Vitamin D). While I agree that sunscreen is needed, it also impacts our body’s uptake of this critical nutrient.

Another example – antibiotics. They can be life saving, but they can also kill positive bacteria that our bodies need to maintain a healthy digestive system. This is another area where supplementation, in the form of pro-biotics, has gone from forward thinking to defensive maneuver.

Lower nutrient density in food, different exposure to sun, and antibiotic use are three reasons I recommend certain vitamins for kids. Watch this week’s video for details:

Life is different than it used to be. Some parts are much better. Some are worse. I’m thankful for high-quality vitamins and supplements to help make up for some of the negative changes in today’s wonderful world.

If you’ve got any questions that I didn’t cover in the video, tell me in the comments and I’ll be happy to get back to you.

For more information:

What nutrients, vitamins and minerals are on your list of “the Greene 13″?
Probiotics: Powerful Prevention
Health Check: Are Your Kids Getting Enough Vitamin D?

As research emerges demonstrating that certain dietary changes may improve the signs and symptoms of ASD, more parents are placing their children on supplements or restricting certain foods from their diets. Certain supplements have also been shown to reduce the gastrointestinal symptoms that frequently plague children with ASD.

Celebrities like Jenny McCarthy have touted the positive effects of these diets in their own experiences, adding to the popularity of the “autism diet” and other special programs intended to improve the symptoms of autism.

Special Diets Difficult to Maintain in Schools

But any parent knows that sending a child to school on a special diet is no easy feat. Those with severe allergies to peanuts have perhaps the toughest time, making it necessary to avoid not only peanut or peanut butter-containing foods—but any food that has been manufactured in a plant that has also at one time contained peanuts, baked in a kitchen in the presence of peanuts, and so forth. For this reason, many parents choose to restrict their child’s diet to foods that only they provide directly.

In the case of autism, that’s probably your best bet when it comes to school. School cafeterias serve a wide variety of foods, and if you’re restricting gluten that same “prepared in the same kitchen” effect can apply here, too. Depending on the needs of your child, expecting them to recognize when they’ve been given something that doesn’t meet their dietary restrictions could be unrealistic.

The answer, of course, is to be strict and regimented about your child’s dietary needs. It’s best to pack a lunch each day, ensuring that your child is never exposed even to the smallest amount of casein or gluten-containing foods.

Are Dietary Restrictions Safe?

But you shouldn’t just outright restrict foods from your child’s diet without first consulting with a registered dietician. Because the link between diet and autism hasn’t been thoroughly researched or proven, skeptics still say that cutting out casein and gluten could lead to nutritional deficiencies in growing children.

For this reason, working with a dietician to establish a safe and effective dietary plan specific to your child is the best course of action. A dietician can also provide advice on making school lunches work, whether that means packing your child’s lunch each day with foods that won’t spoil in a few hours without refrigeration or working with the school cafeteria to provide appropriate menu items.

If you’re working with a dietary supplement, try to dose it in the morning before school and after school to avoid adding more complexity to your child’s day. If you must provide it during school hours, establish a clear and easy routine for your child to follow in conjunction with the school nurse.

It’s possible to follow a special diet for a child with ASD, even in the school setting. It requires some extra effort on your part and working closely with the school to ensure compliance, but the results can be well worth it. Is your child following a special diet? How do you make it work during the school year?

Your kids hit the front door after school and what is the first thing out of their mouths? “I’m starving!” And it’s said with enough enthusiasm that you would think they hadn’t eaten all day. They want food and they want it fast. As tempting as it might be to shove a cookie in their direction, it’s much better if we plan on having some healthier afternoon snacks ready for our little students. Even our older students will benefit from healthier snacks. I have kids that range from elementary to college age at home and what’s good for one is good for the other.

Since kids come home so hungry, this is a good time to get them to eat healthier snacks. They are more willing to eat it. Need some ideas for healthy snacks that won’t ruin their dinner? Here are some great ideas.

• Air popped popcorn (no butter and low salt) is a great snack. You can add a little spice to it by sprinkling a little cayenne or cinnamon on it.
• Greek yogurt with cheese slices or fruit
• Apple slices with cheese slices
• Unsweetened applesauce
• Cottage cheese with fruit
• Frozen bananas with peanut butter
• Green yogurt mixed with peanut butter. Use apple slices for dipping. (This is a favorite of mine)
• Hard boiled eggs

The list is really endless. Just get creative but keep it easy and simple. Much of this can be prepared ahead of time so snacks are ready when your kids are. Keeping ourselves and our families healthy is a wonderful gift we give ourselves and them.

What kind of healthy snacks do you and your kids like? We’d love you to share your ideas with us.

If you have school age children, then you probably know all about the smashed banana or sandwich in the bottom of the lunch sack. It doesn’t take long before kids start to get tired of the same old thing. Not to mention, if you were to take a peek into many children’s lunch bags, you would find they were packed with not so healthy items. So, what’s a parent to do? Here are some great ideas for getting your kids healthy, easy lunches that will keep them excited about “what’s for lunch today.”

• Keep it fun. Kids love to dunk there food. Carrot sticks with some ranch is always a good thing. They also love to scoop their food. A tuna or chicken salad scooped up with Fritos works great. Cut their food into fun shapes with cookie cutters.

 

• Use as little processed food as possible. Lunch isn’t a time for a high carb meal. Try to balance it out with high protein and other nutrients kids need. Avoid all the store bought snacks such as cake snacks (Ding Dongs and Twinkies), fruit roll ups, cookies, etc. There’s way to much sugar in these. Instead opt for fresh fruits and vegetables, or your own homemade low-sugar treats.

 

• Leftovers- Invest in a lunch box that will let you keep food cool or warm. Leftovers is an easy, healthy and yummy lunch that can be a far cry from the same old sandwich.

 

• Is your child a pasta lover? Try a fun pasta salad (even easier if it’s leftover from a meal the night before) in their lunch box.

 

• Use a thermos to pack healthy soups and stews. Once the temps start dropping, your kiddos will really appreciate some warm soup or stew at lunch time.

 

• Really think out of the box. Hard boiled eggs (already peeled) with slices of apples and cheese, healthy popcorn makes a great snack, yogurt parfaits, baked potato with toppings, leftover pizza.

So basically, anything your child could eat for lunch at home, he could eat for lunch at school. No reason for the same old peanut butter and jelly sandwich every day. Unless of course, they happen to like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches every day.

What kind of lunches do your kids like to eat at school? Do you have any ideas you’d like to share with us? Bring them on!

We all know they say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right? Then why are approximately 8-12 percent of school age children skipping breakfast? By the time kids hit their teens, as many as 20-30 percent are skipping breakfast.

Why exactly is it so important that kids (and adults as well) eat a good breakfast before school? Well, for starters, how about these reasons?

• Eating breakfast can help improve math, reading, and standardized test scores.
• Children who eat breakfast are more likely to behave better in school than those who don’t.
• Breakfast helps children pay attention, perform problem-solving tasks, and improves memory.
• Studies have shown that children who eat breakfast on a regular basis are less likely to be overweight.
• Eating breakfast as a child is important for establishing healthy habits for later in life.
• More strength and endurance to engage in physical activity

So, what kind of breakfast is the best for our kids and what can we fix them that is fast and easy as well as nutritious? Anything high in protein and fiber will keep hunger at bay and give them the energy they need to make it to lunch. Here’s some healthy (and simple) breakfast ideas that you can quickly make.

Scrambled eggs w/ cheese –Fast, simple and high in protein.
A bowl of oatmeal- Not the instant, it’s loaded in sugar.
Oatmeal Cups to Go- Make them ahead of time and you’ve got breakfast ready in the morning.
Blueberry Oatmeal Smoothie- Throw it all in the blender and you’ve got a healthy breakfast.
Greek yogurt topped with fruit- No cooking required here at all.
Hardboiled egg and yogurt-You can even boil the eggs the night before.
Homemade Trail Mix-Make some up over the weekend and you’ll have it ready during the week.

What breakfast do you and your kids like to eat on a busy school morning? We’d love you to share your ideas!

Back to school season can be a struggle for many parents. Trying to make sure that our kids get healthy meals and snacks throughout the day can seem almost overwhelming. Why is it so important? Well, what our kids are taking into their bodies has a direct effect on their school performance. Studies show that kids who eat a balanced breakfast have higher test scores and can concentrate better and solve problems more easily in class. They can also have fewer behavioral problems. A hungry child can be a cranky child. So, what can we do to make sure our kids are getting what they need?

For starters, avoid feeding kids a breakfast low in fiber and protein, like sugary toaster pastries, sugar laden cereals, etc. I know these are easy to fix but it doesn’t do the body any good. These can lead to a midmorning energy crash. This happens when the carbs are digested and absorbed quickly, causing blood sugar levels to dive after a spike. Kids can also get headaches and cranky. Make sure you provide your children with a high-protein, high-fiber meal like eggs with whole wheat toast. This kind of meal digests more slowly, preventing hunger and keeping blood sugar levels even. This goes for adults as well. I can always tell when I’ve eaten a breakfast too high in carbs. I’m crashing by midmorning. Not a pretty site.

Here are some true but sad facts:

• American children ages 2-18 are eating 40% of their daily calories from “empty calories,” like
  sugar sweetened beverages and desserts.
• 92% of girls ages 9-18 do not get enough calcium from what they eat and drink.
• 75% of children 6-19 do not eat enough fruit every day.
• Only 13.8% of high school students eat enough vegetables every day.
• 65% of high school students skipped breakfast at least one day a week.

We as parents can make some simple changes to ensure that our kids are getting the nutrients they need to succeed in school. When you plan your weekly meal plan, go ahead and include plans for breakfast, lunches and snacks. It doesn’t take much longer and you’ll know have a game plan. If you need help, there are online menu planning services that can help you plan your breakfast, lunch and dinner menus.

Tell us some of your favorite healthy breakfast, lunch or snack ideas you make for your kids. We’d love to hear about them!

For most of us, school has either started back up again or will be starting in the next few days. That means evening homework, sports activities, band activities, etc. You know, all the things that go along with school starting back that can make our lives so hectic.

How do we maintain some sort of control over one of the most important events of the evening? That would be dinner by the way.

Here are 5 easy tips to help you put healthy dinners on the table even during the hectic school year.

1. Plan! You must plan. It really only takes a short amount of time but can save you so much time and money during the week. Without a plan, you’ll be running to the store several times a week to “just pick something up”. You’ll spend twice as much money on groceries as you would with a plan. You’ll also find yourself eating out more. Again, lots of money not to mention how unhealthy it is. If you really want to make it easy on yourself, use a meal planning service. Build A Menu, an online menu planning service, lets you plan your weekly menus, prices the ingredients for you, and gives you the recipes and a shopping list. It takes all of 5 minute to prepare a menu with a week of meals. Or, if you prefer, just sit down and make the menu plan yourself. Either way, you have to plan.

 

2. Use that slow cooker! You and your slow cooker need to become friends during the week. I’m talking real pals. Throw your meal in the slow cooker in the morning and come home in the evening to a meal. You can even put your chicken breast in the slow cooker frozen. Seriously, use that slow cooker!

 

3. Prep for meals during the week. Look at the meals you have planned and see how many call for cooked ground beef. Same goes for chicken. Go ahead and cook it all up and divide it out. If you’re using it up that week then there’s no need to freeze it. It’s ready in the fridge when you need it. Do any of your meals call for onions or bell peppers? Chop up the required amounts on the weekend so you have all the prep work done already. Basically, prepare anything ahead of time that can be. This one little tip can be such a time saver. If you have older children who can handle a knife, then this is a good job for them.

 

4. Plan a leftover night toward the end of the week. Have one night where you don’t cook. Lay out all the left overs (it’s ok if it’s a hodge podge) and let everyone fend for themselves. Or you might find you have enough to make a great stew or soup.

 

5. Check your calendar. Before you start your meal planning for the week, check and see what activities you have going on in the evenings. If you have a PTA meeting or your child has soccer practice on Monday evenings, you might want to make sure you have something quick (this is where they slow cooker comes in) to prepare on that evening. Nothing can run a good meal plan faster than finding out you don’t have time to cook what you had planned.

So, it really comes down to taking just a few minutes to plan. Make your life easier, your evenings calmer and your family healthier. You’re worth it!

Do you have any tips to share with us about meal planning now that school has started? We’d love to hear from you!

There’s been lots of news (and a good deal of misinformation) about gluten, and in particular the benefits of gluten-free products. As with fat-free, sugar-free, sodium-free, etc. almost always something highly processed is replacing what is being substituted. Many gluten-free products are no exception to this rule.

If you have celiac disease, be sure to avoid gluten. There appear to be many benefits for the rest of us who minimize our gluten intake as well. However, it’s important also ensure we’re making the right choices of what to eat when ditching gluten.

Here’s the real message: Eat whole, real food. It’s amazing how many health issues this solves. A box of gluten-free cookies is not the same thing as a plate deliciously prepared, whole food. This is true no matter who you are.

We’ve collected the following list of recipes from DrGreene.com to help you make healthy, gluten-free, whole food meal choices. If you’ve got any gluten-free recipes you’d like to add, leave a comment below!

Same goes for any questions about gluten and gluten-free, pipe in to the conversation if you’d like to know more!

Gluten-Free Recipes at DrGreene.com

• Butternut Squash Latkes to eat all year round
• For something fun, try Carrot Banana Muffins Recipe with Almond flour!
• High-protein, Glutten-free Porridge (lots of oats!)
• Outrageous coconut macaroons