 | Indigo Children: Nutrition and the Indigo ChildBy Dale Figtree, Ph.D.
Indigo Children: Nutrition and the Indigo Child
In today's world information about food can be very confusing. Millions of dollars are spent by food companies on advertising designed to persuade people, especially children, into wanting cheaply made foods that may taste good, but are not healthy for their bodies. More then ever before children suffer from being overweight and from having allergies, asthma, ear infections, diabetes, ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and sadly, from cancer. It is of great importance for children to understand the strong connection between what they eat and the health of their bodies. The wonderful thing about kids and teens is that they are interested in knowing how things work. I find if I can explain the connection between good food and good health, most are amazed and delighted to try new things. The earth provides food containing all the vitamins, minerals and other healthy nutrients our bodies need to be the best they can. Food closest to it's natural fresh state is the most healthful because it contains the highest amount of nutrients. For example, a fresh apple is a wonderful food containing many vitamins such as Vitamin C and Beta Carotene, and minerals such as Calcium, and Magnesium. On top of that it also contains clean water, and good fiber. The vitamins help the body burn energy and protect us from poisons like pesticides and other chemicals that affect all of us. Minerals are used to build bones and other body tissue as well as contribute to good energy levels. Fiber carries the food more quickly and effectively through the digestive track. It absorbs the environmental poisons and carries them out of the body quickly. If an apple is turned into bottled apple juice, it is usually put through a high heat process so that it will last a long time on the shelf. Unfortunately, this high heat also kills most of the vitamins. In addition, the juicing process takes all of the fiber out of the fruit, which also raises the calories per serving. So there is a big difference between eating an apple then drinking apple juice. Continued Page 3 The same is true of most breakfast cereals, bread and pasta. The original grain is full of fiber and B vitamins, which help balance brain function and moods. Unfortunately, since most of the manufactures have stripped away the basic vitamins, minerals and fiber in these products, they then add back some synthetic vitamins to make up for the depletion. These synthetic vitamins are not as potent as natural vitamins found in food. Also synthetic vitamins do not have the important combinations and balance of nutrients found in natural foods. Several popular cereals and breads now advertise that they are healthy, however, if you read the ingredients, many of these products have hidden sugars and other chemicals. For example, instead of saying sugar, they say things like high fructose corn syrup - what tricksters! Fructose, even though it is originally from fruit, still is a concentrated sugar, which can put too much glucose in the blood stream at one time, contributing to excess weight. Whole grain cereals and breads that are closest to their natural state are much higher in nutrients. Some of these are: oatmeal, 7 grain cereals, whole grain breads, and a cereal called Muesli. If you want to sweeten them, just add delicious fresh fruit. Other examples of whole grains include brown rice flour products such as brown flour rice cakes, brown cream of rice, unsweetened rice milk, whole grain rice breads and also corn products like corn tortillas, corn pasta and polenta. Most of these products can be found in health food stores. But still be cautious. If you buy these products, read the label and make sure they are only full of good ingredients with nothing chemical added - no names that you can't understand! The foods highest in vitamins, minerals, and fiber are fresh salads, vegetables and fruit. Contrary to what you may have been taught, greens are high in calcium. Look at cows - they eat green grass all day and are incredibly sturdy beasts, producing a lot of calcium in their milk. Where do they get all that calcium from if they don't drink milk? They get it from the greens they eat, which are very rich in minerals. Cow's milk is great for calves who gain 1000 pounds in a year, but for many humans it can contribute to mucus in the throat and increased colds and ear infections, as well as acne. Also, unhealthy hormones are given to cows to overwork and overproduce. These hormones may lead to cancer in people many years later. If you want to drink milk, it is healthier to drink organic milk without hormones and other chemicals, or try vegetable milk - either soy milk, almond milk or rice milk. When you change and process foods, they not only lose a lot of their nutrients, but they lose their color, texture and taste. Therefore, manufacturers add chemicals, sugar and high amounts of salt to make their product look and taste better. Chemical preservatives are also added, which make the food last unnaturally long. The problem is, a lot of these chemicals cause reactions in people, especially children. They can contribute to allergies, asthma, hyperactivity and an inability to concentrate (Attention Deficit Disorder). There are several food dyes, especially a red dye, used in American processed foods that are banned in other countries because they are suspected of being potentially carcinogenic. BHT is one of many preservatives suspected of potential health problems. In addition, many emulsifiers and texturizers are also potentially problematic. A wise way to avoid these problems is to choose foods that are closest to their natural state. Besides salads, fresh vegetable sticks, and fruits, other high nutrient foods are nuts, brown rice, eggs, vegetables lightly cooked, beans and tofu dishes. Nuts, beans and tofu dishes are a fantastic source of protein as well as fiber and minerals. Foods that tend to add weight are those foods stripped of nutrients with only "empty" calories left. Examples of these products are most cereals, breads, pastas, cookies, crackers, breakfast tarts, frozen waffles, food from cans (except beans which are fine), sugary foods, sodas and most candy. Food can be delicious and healthy at the same time. Even snacks. A few suggestions for healthy treats are homemade popcorn, guacamole or bean dip with carrot and celery sticks or baked corn chips, dried papaya or mango, and apple slices with pure peanut butter with nothing added - yummy! If you really want a soda, mix 1/2 glass of fresh orange juice with 1/2 glass of bubbly water - and you have a delicious orange soda. (Straight orange juice can be too much fruit sugar all at one time - it's better to dilute it.) Remember one more thing, anyone can say anything - words are only ideas, but if you experience something, then you know it for sure. Experiment and see the results for yourself. If you feel better, clearer, more energetic, physically fit, and are looking good, well then, you've hit the truth. Dale Figtree, Ph.D., is a Nutritionist with a private practice in Santa Barbara, CA. She has taught Western Nutrition at the Santa Barbara College of Oriental Medicine and is the author of two books, Health After Cancer, chronicling her own recovery from lymphatic cancer 25 years ago, and Eat Smart - A Guide to Good Health For Kids. She also recently produced a 60 minute nutritional video called, 'The Joy of Nutrition.' The books and video can be purchased through her website at www.DaleFigtree.Com. For more information, please visit http://www.indigonetwork.org
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See also: Indigo Children, What is Indigo
Children, Parenting Indigo Children, Adult Indigo, Indigo Children Channeling
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