Read the label or opt for fresh
Children need to eat more as they grow but, some foods are not essential in a child’s diet as they are generally quite high in calories, saturated fat, added sugar, fructose and/or salt and food additives like preservatives, colours and flavours. Eating these foods can lead to weight gain or nasty side effects.
Making more food from scratch is the best thing you can do to reduce your family’s intake of salt, sugar and potentially harmful chemicals, some of which have been banned in certain parts of the world. Potential foods to limit or avoid include: shop bought biscuits and cakes, processed meats and sausages, ice creams and chocolate, store bought burgers, pizza, fried food and salty snacks as well as cordials and soft drinks.
It’s also important to read labels. Watch for red,cherry, tartrazine or any yellow-orange food colourings usually found in lollipops, soft drinks, soups, some yogurt, jam, chewing gum, ice-cream and jelly/jams. Research has shown that in some children intake of these colourings can lead to: aggressive behaviour, learning and concentration difficulties, behavioral problems, depression, headaches, insomnia, asthma, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea as well as suspected Musco-skeletal and neuro-toxicity. Butylated hydroxyanisole and hydroxytoluene can be found in butter/ oil blends, edible oils (may not be listed on packaging), milk powder, dried instant mashed potato and bubble gum has been shown to cause things like: dermatitis, fatigue, liver, skin, kidney and neurotoxity, migrane, learning difficulties, depression along with aggressive behaviour and asthma. And aspartame and saccharin, the artificial sweeteners are also said to have numerous side effects.
