Keeping up with the Kids: Nutrition Myths & Facts

Anyone with children knows what it’s like to feel tired! From newborn to teenager and all the ages in between, each phase of a child’s development brings new challenges and thought processes that can be plain exhausting. While we either battle with or for our youngsters, it’s just as important to remember our own health and wellbeing; not only taking time to recharge the batteries but also thinking about how we power those batteries with the right foods and drinks, helping keep you and the whole family in prime health and ready for anything.  

Vivacious Vegetables 

We can’t really go wrong with fresh produce, right? Straight away that’s one myth we’re ready to bust. While of course vegetables are some of the nutritious and wholesome foods out there and our diets need to be filled with them, eating the wrong ones at the wrong time of day is likely to make you feel sluggish when you need to get moving or keep you awake when it’s time to wind down.  

Produce like potatoes with lots of carbohydrates should be eaten in small quantities earlier in the day to make the most of the energy they can give us while not having our bodies store all the extra calories those carbs bring.  

Green vegetables such as cabbage and broccoli bring lots of fiber and the best nutrients, but they shouldn’t be the only vegetables on our plates; we need a mix of color from foods such as carrots, corn and beets so that our engines receive a good balance of vitamins and other essential elements. When you’re thinking of putting together a meal, think of an artist’s palette and the vegetables that could fill it. It’s a sure-fire way to ensure your body is energized for time with the kids, whatever they’re getting up to! 

Coffee Culture  

The drinking of coffee, and in particular the effect of caffeine, is part of an old myth; that we’ll jitter if we drink too much and be up all night afterwards, so much so that a whole industry has grown around the decaffeinated variety. While it’s true that a few people will feel these extreme effects, for the majority, coffee actually has a lot of health benefits. For example, stimulation is shipped directly to the places that need it to help us stave off tiredness. In fact, caffeine is used in hospitals to help premature babies who have been born before a certain development point.  

In his evidence-based blogs, Dr. Ruscio (DNM, DC) looks at the connection between coffee and gut health. With a wealth of medical knowledge, Dr. Ruscio’s blog provides plenty of cutting-edge information on nutrition and health. Cultivating good gut bacteria and improving bowel motility are just some of the benefits that go hand in hand with feeling healthy and energetic, so don’t feel the need to shy away from a nice hot “cup o’ joe” when your children have an active day planned. 

An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away 

Fruit is so much easier to snack on compared to vegetables thanks to their sweetness and general ability to not need cooking first; however, it’s not all as healthy for us as we might think and, of course, that’s all thanks to sugar.  

Bananas, grapes and cherries are all packed with sugar, so they need to be eaten in moderation; we think we are being healthy eating a fresh fruit salad but really, it’s likely to result in one thing we hate to see happen to our children, the dreaded sugar rush. You’ll feel like you’re ready to take on the world and then the inevitable will happen – you’ll crash!  

Thankfully, there are also many tasty fruits that aren’t so high in content. Watermelons and cherries can be swapped out for cantaloupes and raspberries, and mangoes for papaya, so all the family can enjoy low-calorie snacking without the detrimental effects that too much sugar can bring.  

Also, did you know that apples are good for your dental health? This expert dentist in Kelowna says that apples can act as natural toothbrushes. Chewing on the fruit’s fibrous texture and skin stimulate your gums, reduce cavity-causing bacteria, and increase saliva flow.

If you’ve ever been online, you will most likely have received an email or quite possibly an instant message from a friend promoting the benefits of a “juice diet”. They’ll tell you a list of great benefits and it sounds amazing but unfortunately, we’re just taking part in a modern myth. As beneficial as it sounds, these diets just aren’t sustainable. You’ll feel great at first but a hazed fatigue can set in as your body loses out on proteins and natural fats that are needed for maintaining our bones and muscles, which are a requirement when we want to tackle the day with our children in hand.  

The best thing to remember when it comes to our diet and intake is, ‘everything in moderation’. So, enjoy the food you like but in appropriate portions and you’ll keep up with the kids every day of the week! 

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