Oh the food we eat
About 15 days ago I started a food experiment on Espen. And really on everyone who is in our house at this moment. I cut all artificial color and most processed foods. The shopping has not been completely easy but I am mostly shopping the perimeter. The cost increase has not been noticeable because I am still a bargain shopper. The amount of time preparing and cooking has increased because there is nothing already done for me.
The outcome is amazing!! Espen is calmer. He is able to focus on play tasks for much longer. He is not running wild. He minds manners a bit more. He has clarity of mind. He can initiate very creative forms of play. He is super happy. He is just as active but in a much less frantic
He is loosing weight (mommy is not -YET). He is not eating any junk food or sugar! He is often however very upset because he wants junk. And we don't have it in the house. Shopping with him is often challenging because everywhere we go there is candy or junk with color in it. And sometimes I get exhausted just hearing the never ending pleas for that stuff! But I am really strong and I recognize that he is behaving better without it.
And what have we been eating? Meat, vegetables, fruit, milk, water. We have eaten Mac & Cheese (whole foods brand), whole wheat pasta, rice. We grill meats & chicken. We use spices with interesting flavors. We have not used dips or sauces or dressings. He gets fruit snacks, crackers and nuts. I get cheeses that are flavorful and color free. We have a house full of great food. And Espen is happy in his body and not a frantic mover!
The outcome is amazing!! Espen is calmer. He is able to focus on play tasks for much longer. He is not running wild. He minds manners a bit more. He has clarity of mind. He can initiate very creative forms of play. He is super happy. He is just as active but in a much less frantic
He is loosing weight (mommy is not -YET). He is not eating any junk food or sugar! He is often however very upset because he wants junk. And we don't have it in the house. Shopping with him is often challenging because everywhere we go there is candy or junk with color in it. And sometimes I get exhausted just hearing the never ending pleas for that stuff! But I am really strong and I recognize that he is behaving better without it.
And what have we been eating? Meat, vegetables, fruit, milk, water. We have eaten Mac & Cheese (whole foods brand), whole wheat pasta, rice. We grill meats & chicken. We use spices with interesting flavors. We have not used dips or sauces or dressings. He gets fruit snacks, crackers and nuts. I get cheeses that are flavorful and color free. We have a house full of great food. And Espen is happy in his body and not a frantic mover!
And I keep reading... about the colors, the research, the outcomes... I'm shortly becoming an "expert" on the matter! I recently came across this article... a written one from an NPR interview. (For all you NPR fans... you know I didn't hear it!) And a very handy chart is included that really does a nice job telling us about the colors & where they are commonly used. Check it out... http://www.npr.org/2011/03/30/134962888/fda-probes-link-between-food-dyes-kids-behavior#chart
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