I recently received this question from a mom who needed help planning for healthy feeding for her toddler while their family was traveling and staying in hotels overseas. It is a common challenge among parents to find nutritious foods while on the go, so I thought I would share in case you are planning one more trip during the last few days of summer or brainstorming easy preschool and day care snacks.

“We are searching for ideas for feeding our little one while staying in hotel rooms during our time in abroad. We know that it is going to be hard to do much in the way of food preparation. Any advice or suggestions for feeding him while on the go?” Read the rest »

Fiber is very healthy and went somewhat missing in the modern first world diet with the onset of mass food production, processing and the fast food rage.

Food companies and the media have since picked up on a large body of scientific research indicating fiber protects us against chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, certain cancers and gastrointestinal disorders.

So what do you need to know about fiber to raise a healthy family? Here’s the Fiber 411. Read the rest »

Breast milk or formula is still the staple for your baby’s diet in the first year. There is no scientific proof of which food is best to serve first to babies. Cultures across the world prepare various traditional recipes for their babies’ first feeding. In general, first foods are easy to digest and preferably a good source of iron. Read the rest »

Since 1998, the USDA has mandated enriched grain products be fortified with 140ug of folic acid/100g of the food. Why? Because FOLATE or FOLIC ACID is involved in cell division, DNA (genetic expression) and amino acid synthesis. Available folate is critical in the first trimester and even prior to conception to prevent neural tube defects which are birth defects where the brain, spinal cord and their protective membranes do not develop properly, resulting in disability or even death. Folate also supports a healthy placental lining and helps to lower risk for preeclampsia and high blood pressure. Read the rest »

Since its conception 9000 years ago, cow milk production has drastically changed. In the early 1900’s, scientists began experimenting with ways in increase milk supply without having to increase numbers of dairy cows. They began artificially selecting to breed cows that provided more milk, feeding them grain diets, exposing them to light longer, giving them oral or subcutaneous injections of anabolic hormones, and increasing use of antibiotics. Read the rest »

First, let me preface this subject by a statement that all medical professionals and researchers can agree upon: ANY fruit and vegetable is better than none, regardless of whether it is organic. The vitamins and minerals in fresh, frozen, dried, or canned produce are essential to human life. Protein in plant-based foods, meats, poultry and fish is the building block of our genetic and physiological make up. But are organic foods a better choice? The easy answer is yes, especially for infants and young children. Read the rest »

You know that Americans don’t eat well. You know that childhood obesity and diabetes are national problems. You know that healthy eating doesn’t mean bland, boring food. You know that you want your child to be healthy and fit. But do you know what the best foods are for mental development for an 18 month old? Do you know where to keep up to date with the latest dietary research? If you answered ‘yes’ to the first four questions and ‘no’ to the last two, you’re not alone. Fortunately, though, you are not out of luck thanks to Christina Schmidt. Read the rest »