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We have exciting news . . .
Dr. Bob Sears and our nutrition advisor Amy Marlow are writing a book about raising a healthy baby! They'll share info about providing good nutrition to Baby, healthy lifestyle advice, how to minimize Baby's exposures to toxic chemicals, and ways to raise Baby in a more "green" and safe way. Take our 5-second survey to help us decide which tips to include in the book, and receive a free trial coupon!
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—SHAZI & JESSICA |
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 Do you know a child with a food allergy?
More than ever before the answer is probably yes. Food allergies, like other allergic diseases (e.g., eczema, asthma, seasonal allergies), appear to be on the rise.
A food allergy is a response launched by the body’s immune system against a food, causing symptoms like itchy or watery eyes, a skin rash (including a diaper rash in babies), itching in the nose or throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing, or severe stomach upset like vomiting or diarrhea. Most food allergies found in young children are caused by these 8 foods: dairy products, soy, fish, shellfish, wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, and egg whites.
About 6 to 8% of infants and toddlers have food allergies, and many of them are outgrown later in childhood. Your child is at a higher risk if either or both of her parents has a food allergy or if there is eczema, asthma, or seasonal allergies in your family history.
While there's no foolproof way to prevent food allergies, we do know of 5 steps you can take to decrease your child's risk:
Breast feed as long as possible. The immunities provided in breast milk may offer protection and delaying introduction of cow’s milk or soy proteins until your baby is older may help your child be able to handle those potential allergens.
Wait until your baby is 6 months old before introducing solid foods. Our intestinal tracts are an important part of our immune systems so waiting until the gut has had a chance to mature can avoid immune system responses to certain foods.
If your child is at risk for getting a food allergy you may want to delay introduction of potential allergens. Wait to give egg whites until your baby is one year old. Nuts, tree nuts and shellfish may be best to avoid until age two or three. Talk to your pediatrician for personalized advice on this matter.
Give your child foods that contain probiotics. These “friendly” bacteria offer protection against allergic diseases. Sources include HAPPYBELLIES cereals and yogurts containing live active cultures.
Serve him organic foods like HAPPYBABY and HAPPYBITES meals with no artificial colorings or preservatives. These chemicals can cause allergic reactions in some children.
Or find other locations near you on our site!
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Toddlers are on the go from sun up to sun down. To help them make it through, they need one to three healthy snacks in addition to their meals. Serve your child her snacks at around the same time each day, at the table whenever possible. Snacktime is a prime opportunity for getting some of the vitamins and minerals that your child needs, so try to think of snacks as mini-meals instead of as “treats.” Here are some ideas:
Fruit, cut into bite-sized pieces: apple, pear, plum, apricot, peach, nectarine, kiwi, pineapple, berries, banana, cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew melon, papaya, mango, applesauce, grapes**
Grain snacks: whole grain crackers, toasted bread with fruit preserves, pretzels, oatmeal, cold cereal (dry or with milk)
Veggie snacks: choose Baby’s favorite vegetable and let him dip in HAPPYBITES Secret Sauces, hummus, salsa, or guacamole. Try carrot sticks, red or yellow bell pepper strips, jicama slices, broccoli florets (call them “trees”)
Dairy snacks: yogurt, yogurt and fruit smoothie, cheese and crackers, cheese with apple slices (Choose low fat or nonfat dairy products for toddlers aged 2 and up)
Protein-packed snacks: hummus or black bean dip with pita triangles, crackers, or sliced veggies; ½ a peanut butter* sandwich
HAPPYBITES are now available at Whole Foods.
* potential allergen
** possible choking hazard
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| FACT!. . . A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics found that boys who ate breakfast reported being in a better mood than those who did not. They also scored higher on memory tests. Neither result was shown in the girls in the study. However, both the girls and boys reported feeling more alert after eating breakfast. Other studies have shown eating breakfast to be helpful in everything from weight management to school performance. Help your children start the day with a healthy breakfast: HAPPYBELLIES cereals with HAPPYBABY cubes are a nice meal for babies; try our HAPPYBITES breakfast pocket for your toddler or preschooler.
Source: Widenhorn-Muller K, et. al. “Influence of Having Breakfast on Cognitive Performance and Mood in 13- to 20-Year-Old High School Students: Results of a Crossover Trial.” Pediatrics. Vol 122, No 2, August 2008, pp 279-284.
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Project Peanut Butter was founded by Mark Manari, a pediatrician and professor at Washington University’s School of Medicine in St. Louis. He is saving the lives of children with a revolutionary treatment based on peanut butter. His Plumpy Nut treatment is supported by UNICEF and Doctors without Borders, and could become a worldwide standard of care.
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HAPPYBABY’s
MAMA GRAIN SHAKE
These are a favorite with kids at our cooking classes. They’re fun for kids to make—and yummy to eat.
2 cubes Mama Grain,
still frozen
1/2 banana
3 heaping Tablespoons
vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup apple juice
1 cup frozen organic
strawberries
Blend all ingredients until the desired consistency is reached. For a lower-fat breakfast/snack option, substitute the ice cream with non-fat vanilla yogurt and make a smoothie!
Yield: about 12 oz.
© HAPPYBABY 2008
Send us your favorite recipes using HAPPYBABY. If they appear in our newsletter or on our website, we will send you a special gift for baby. Also check out our Serving Suggestions and recipes online. |
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