Food for Thought

We are what we eat

It is widely accepted now that our western diet can have an extremely negative impact on our children's ability to function at different levels. Many children have poor diets that not only increase the risk to their physical health but also effect their behaviour, mood and learning.

Without the right nutrients it simply isn't possible for our brains and bodies to develop, to grow and to function properly.

Diets that are high in sugar, refined starches and the wrong kinds of fats, as well as artificial additives will inevitably lack essential nutrients as well as being high in calories.

Holistic Impact:

  • Physically there is an increase in
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Chrone's disease
  • Allergies and sensitivities

Emotionally:

  • Increase in mental heath problems-according to some new research, children in UK are the unhappiest in Europe.
  • Many young people are self harming and suicide is on the increase with young people reporting having these negative thoughts for a variety of reasons
  • More children are being proscribed anti-depressants some of which have side effects that create more symptoms not less.

Behaviourally:

  • Anti social behaviour is rife and for those young people who have been labelled with ADHD. often amphetamines are prescribed as the only way to control their behaviour-
  • Many people are linking brain chemistry to these aggressive behaviours and cola drinks, excessive sugars, alcohol plus a generally poor diet. A lot of these children and young people commonly have a zinc deficiency. It is amazing what an improvement can come about from a simple multi vitamin and mineral product.

Intellectually:

  • Many children have poor concentration and memory. This inevitably impacts on learning and attainment.
  • It has been shown in many studies that the use of fish oils can help the brain develop and repair some of the damage from poor nutrition

Environmentally:

  • The impact of the polluted environment can cause mild brain damage eg lead from water pipes in older houses.

We offer INSET awareness raising training for parents, teachers and children as well as professional cooks. This takes a basic look at how many common foods can be damaging and teaches about better choices that can make a big difference. Then the difficult aspect - How to engage children and young people in the process of changing their diet-not an easy one!