Balancing Act: Nurturing Children’s Health Amidst Change

Parents around the world have developed a deeper understanding of the holistic nature of our childrens’ health and wellbeing. It’s been a long period of uncertainty, restrictions on the things they love, less time spent building up immunity to the usual colds and flus and, just like many adults, less exercise and a more forgiving approach to nutrition.

All of this takes its toll over time. We weren’t aware how long the restrictions would last, which makes this year’s back to school season the ideal time to put optimal health at the top of the agenda.

Nutrition

Nutrition is more important than ever, and opting for a whole foods diet that is low in sugar and processed foods is key. Processed foods are filled with excess sugar, preservatives, and other additives. They often contain lower quality oils such as canola, peanut, soy and sunflower that can contribute to inflammation when cooked at high temperatures.

A diet high in processed or “boxed” foods can all wreak havoc on children’s gut microbiome, overall health and immune system resilience, and may even contribute to the development of food sensitivities and allergies.

Kid-Friendly Healthy Eating

We recommend focussing on the following guidelines for a kid friendly, nutrient dense whole foods diet:

A Whole Foods Diet:

Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, making sure to include greens, broccoli, cauliflower and berries

Reduce processed meats and substitute with legumes such as lentils, chickpeas and beans

Include wild fish, free range chicken, and grass fed meat. Swap refined sugars for maple syrup, blackstrap molasses, honey and/or healthy alternatives such as stevia or monk fruit powder

Eliminate refined (white) grains altogether, opting for whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat, rye and sprouted whole grain bread. Stick to fermented dairy such as yoghurt or kefir.

Replace table salt with sea salt which contains more minerals and no additives.

Whole Food Snack Ideas:

Carrots, celery, snap peas or cucumber with bean dip, hummus or baba ghanoush

Pitted, halved olives

Fresh fruit

Air-popped popcorn

Vegetable based or whole grain crackers (look out for sweet potato crackers as a yummy option)

Seeds, nuts and their butters (check for no sugar, no additives)

Homemade baked goods made with whole grains and sweetened with unrefined sweeteners

If your child is a picky eater, be patient while transitioning to a whole foods diet. Start small and serve new foods along with your kid’s favorites. Stick with it and continue to serve the healthier choices until they become a natural part of your kid’s routine, and don’t forget that modeled behavior is learned faster (ie eat your veggies too!)

Mental Health

The ongoing stress, uncertainty and grief created by the Covid 19 pandemic, political instability and global warming has weighed heavily on families across the globe. The American Psychological Association reports that more than 80% of adults have reported emotions associated with prolonged stress. The most common were feelings of anxiety (47%), sadness (44%) and anger (39%). 67% respondents reported that the number of issues America is facing is overwhelming to them.

This stress has inevitably been passed on to our children: from living with parents dealing with unprecedented stressors, the effects of financial instability, adapting to distancing rules at school and the realities of remote learning, social isolation and the uncertainty of the future.

What Does Childhood Anxiety Look Like?

It’s not always easy to recognize the signs of anxiety in children. Some kids are able to express their own stress and uncertainty, others aren’t.

Here are some red flags to pay attention to:

Changes in mood that are unusual for your child

Increased fussiness or irritability

Frequent conflict or tantrums

Excessive shyness

Excessive worry

Changes in eating patterns: eating much more or much less

Rapid heart rate

Difficulties falling and staying asleep at night

Stomach aches and digestive issues

Trembling or shaking

Headaches

Lethargy

Compulsive behavior

Refusing to socialize

Extreme thinking or concluding the worst will happen

There are many approaches that can be used to address your kids anxiety, however, it’s important to do so without reinforcing it. Being cognizant of your own anxiety; teaching your child breathing techniques to help reduce anxiety, focus on the moment and bring the body back into balance; validating their feelings; practicing gratitude together and exploring the good things that happen are all helpful habits. If more help is needed, do not hesitate to talk to a licensed mental health practitioner.

Sleep

Good sleep hygiene will help kids get ready to go back to school and adapt to a more structured day. Sleep is especially important for kids as it supports growth, health (including mental health) and physical development, with kids between the ages of 6–13 requiring 9–11 hours of sleep per night to maintain the behaviours needed to learn and excel academically. Parents can support their children by maintaining consistent bedtimes so that they get the rest that they need.

Optimizing Bedtime

To help your child get a better night’s sleep, we recommend:

Going to be at the same time every night

Keeping the bedroom quiet, cool and dark

No snacks 2 hours before bedtime

No screen time (TV, internet) for at least one hour before bed

Creating a relaxing nightly routine, for example a warm bath, reading, journaling and/or practicing gratitude

Immunity

Alongside the return to in-person school comes our old friend, cold and flu season. And having spent so much time isolating ourselves from one another, the likelihood of catching every little cold that comes along is higher.

Natural Support for a Developing Immune System

Luckily, there are some natural measures you can take to help kids stay healthy, reduce the chance of developing a cold and, most importantly, increase their body’s resilience when the inevitable germs do spread in class.

We recommend:

Letting kids play in the dirt to build up their natural antibodies

Providing a nutrient dense whole foods diet

Ensuring they get enough sleep

Keeping children away from second-hand smoke, artificial fragrances and chemicals

A daily fall/winter supplement regimen that includes probiotics, zinc and vitamin D to promote a healthy microbiome and support immune function

Lemon balm or camomile “sleepy tea” for children with persistent difficulty sleeping

Should your child develop a cold, start administering echinacea, zinc, and vitamin C and vitamin d right away. Natural elderberry syrup is helpful to reduce the severity of cold and flu symptoms and get your child feeling themselves faster.

Exercise

Exercise has benefits that go way beyond strengthening the body. It reduces anxiety, increases self confidence and helps children to sleep more soundly at night. It’s imperative to kids’ long term physical health and has been linked to increased cognitive abilities, immune function, bone density, and cardiovascular health. A habit of daily exercise reduces the long term risk of developing chronic diseases in one’s lifetime.

At Least One Hour a Day

Children need at least one hour of moderate exercise daily to reap its benefits.

If your child is reluctant to get the exercise they need, the following may help:

Lead by example. Kids are more apt to exercise if they see their parents do the same.

Limit TV and screen time for the entire family

Choose activities that your child enjoys and don’t feel you have to go for a “one-size fits all” approach

Participate with them. From playing tag to group sports to joining a community recreation centre together there are loads of options

Eyesight

Seeing clearly is something we may take for granted most years, but the increased screen time kids have been subjected to due to remote learning and social distancing measures has recently been linked to an increase in short-sightedness in children. A 2021 Chinese study pointed to “Near work,” aka watching TV, reading, and using digital devices as the determining factor increasing instances of poor eyesight in children.

Get Outside

The same study indicates outdoor activities may play an important role in counteracting the potential negative effects of screentime, protecting children’s still-developing eyesight. So get out there when you can! Make it a priority to ensure your kids spend time outdoors doing anything other than “near work”.

Supporting Resilience

It’s no secret that our kids are dealing with more this year than they are used to, but we can help them to be more resilient in all the ways they need to be. If you would like a more custom approach to helping your child make the most of this year, book an appointment with me.

Together we can take an in-depth look at your child’s health and wellbeing, and develop a back-to-school plan including diet, lifestyle and supplements that will have them feeling, sleeping and performing their very best.

References

Bethune, Sophie APA: U.S. Adults Report Highest Stress Level Since Early Days of the COVID-19 Pandemic

www .apa .org/news/press/releases/2021/02/adults-stress-pandemic

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Diaz A, Berger R, Valiente C, et al. Children’s Sleep and Academic Achievement: The Moderating Role of Effortful Control. Int J Behav Dev. 2017;41(2):275-284. doi:10.1177/0165025416635284

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Solomonian, Leslie. Physical Activity in Children & Youth: Benefits, Barriers, and Recommendations https: //ndnr. com/pediatrics/physical-activity-in-children-youth/

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Wang J, Li Y, Musch DC, et al. Progression of Myopia in School-Aged Children After COVID-19 Home Confinement. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2021;139(3):293–300. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2020.6239

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