With the holidays fast approaching and a brand new year just around the corner, now is as good a time as any to get your household on a healthy track.

Eat healthy this during the holidays without missing out.

We understand that holiday traditions are important, and that there are certain not-so-healthy dishes you and your family simply can’t live without. Good news, you don’t have to. There are many ways you can have your festive cake and eat it too. For instance, here are some helpful tips from the Mayo Clinic on how to modify traditional recipes with healthy ingredients. You can also pack in additional vitamins and nutrients by sneaking in pureed vegetables. Click here to learn how.

Another great way to ensure that you and your family stay holiday healthy is to choose organic fruits and vegetables for every dish you make. Also, if you can, make sure the meat you buy comes from an organic farm. As we covered previously, organic farming methods can make all the difference to you and your child’s health.

If you’re in the mood to start new healthy holiday traditions, check out this collection of delicious organic food recipes from Organic Authority.

Make your 2012 resolution a healthy one.

Don’t let leave these tips behind–bring them with you into the New Year! Resolve to make more informed choices about what your child eats, and create a healthy household by making organic meals at home. After all, establishing a nutritious diet early on will set your child up for a lifetime of healthy eating for many New Years to come.

From all of us at Getzwell Pediatrics, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!

Please call us at 415.826.1701 to discuss how to improve your family’s health through eating healthy and other preventive strategies we specialize in.

How does genetic engineering impact our food?

To put it plainly, genetically engineered (GE) foods, aka Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), are produced by using biotechnology to change the DNA of plants and animals by adding genes that are meant to accelerate and modify physical growth. Other ways our food becomes genetically altered is by overexposing crops to harmful pesticides and herbicides, and also by injecting animals with growth hormones.

As we pointed out last time, an obvious sign of genetic alteration is the antibiotic-resistant superbugs produced from over treating animals with antibiotics. And recent studies reveal an increase in super weeds, weeds that have grown resistant to commonly used herbicides and pesticides. In reaction, farmers are forced to use even more herbicides to combat the resistant weeds.

Extensive research reveals that harmful bacteria, chemicals and hormones are present in our food supply. Just Label It, an organization petitioning for the mandatory labeling of GE foods, estimates “…that 60%-70% of processed foods in U.S. grocery stores likely contain some GE material.”

What health risks does GE food pose to your child?

According to an excellent article in KIWI Magazine, Jeffrey Smith, author of Genetic Roulette, asserts that GMOs may greatly increase a child’s susceptibility to food allergies and autoimmune disorders because of children’s rapid growth and vulnerable immune systems. Children (compared to adults) are also likely to consume more GE foods like, corn and soy-based products, which puts them at even greater risk.

The author even touches on studies concerning babies who suffered negative reactions to breast milk. The possibility of a mother passing along GE molecules through her break milk is not a far-fetched concept, having recently reported on how what you eat greatly impacts your baby’s dietary tastes.

With ongoing research consistently drawing connections between diet and well-being, it is difficult to deny that we are only as healthy as the quality of food we put into our bodies. Additionally, the rise of superbugs and super weeds and the steep increase in childhood diagnoses like asthma, allergies and even autism makes it nearly impossible to turn a blind eye  to the potential dangers of genetically modified food.

How do you really know what you’re eating?

Maintaining a healthy diet for your child isn’t about filling them full of just any old fruits and vegetables. Knowing where your food comes from and how it is produced is critical.

The tricky thing about GMOs is that you don’t always know that you’re buying them, and the terms used on labels can be misleading. This is why organizations like Just Label It are fighting to have all GE foods labeled for accurate identification. A report from the Environmental Working Group helps to clarify some of the terms distributors use to promote sales, rather than awareness:

•            “Free range” doesn’t always mean animals were allowed to roam about freely

•            “Organic” = 95% of the ingredients are organic

•            “Made with organic ingredients” =  70% of the ingredients are organic

•            “100 percent organic” = must entirely contain organic ingredients

How can you protect your child from GMOs?

As KIWI Magazine details, there are ways you can limit your child’s exposure to GMOs.  Choose foods that are labeled as “100 percent organic”, “GMO-free”, and “USDA-certified organic.” You can also buy local; get to know organic farmers in your region to ensure you know where your food is coming from.

Overall, knowledge is the key. Stay up to date on the foods that are safe for you and your children to eat. Check out The True Food Shopper’s Guide to Avoiding GMOs published for FREE by the Center for Food Safety.

Please call us at 415.826.1701 to learn more about how to keep your child and family healthy.

But, when it comes to incorporating meat into your child’s diet, just how important is it to go with the organic option? The answer to this question is far more serious than you might think.

Conventional farming methods dangerously choose quantity over quality.

Ongoing research reveals that the methods by which animals are bred, housed, and butchered impact the quality of the meat we consume.

Adding to issues of overcrowding and inhumane treatment, conventional farming methods include pumping livestock with antibiotics and medications not just to treat disease but to spur growth.  As a result, according to this Environmental Health News report on poultry farms, overdosing animals with antibiotics leads to the production antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a.k.a. superbugs, which are turning up in packaged meats sold in our grocery stores. Infections caused by new superbugs are dangerous and very difficult to treat because they are impervious to antibiotics.

A serious occurrence of contamination occurred three years ago when tests detected Clostridium difficile, a deadly intestinal germ found in hospitals, in over 40% of meat products in three national grocery chains. Needless to say, consumers of these products unwittingly put their lives at risk.

Also, a review of Jonathan Safran Foer’s book “Eating Animals” mentions an alarming drug industry statistic claiming, “People are prescribed about three million pounds of antibiotics a year. Livestock are fed nearly twenty-eight million pounds…” These alarming figures indicate that the threat of producing and spreading superbugs is sure to increase as conventional farming methods persist.

So, exactly why are organic meats the better option for your child?

In contrast to conventional farming practices, organic farmers produce healthier, non-antibiotic resistant meat by employing methods intended to prevent disease and reduce the need for antibiotics. Examples of these practices include allowing animals to graze and feed in their natural surroundings as well as providing them a balanced organic diet, and ensuring sanitary and humane living conditions, to put it simply.

By choosing organic meats, your baby will avoid exposure to harmful, factory-produced superbugs and the risk of antibiotic resistance. Just as what you eat impacts your child’s health, the same goes for the animals you feed them. The healthier the farming method, the healthier your child will be.

At GetzWell, we’re passionate supporters of going organic as an essential way to arm your child against disease. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of an organic diet you may reach us at 415.826.1701.

We’re all familiar with the old adage ‘you are what you eat’. Well, that’s not all. New studies shed light on just how influenced your baby is by what you eat, too!

This fascinating article from NPR reveals exciting research about how what you eat during your pregnancy can help shape your baby’s taste buds and flavor preferences.

According to Julie Mennella from the Monell Chemical Senses Center, your baby consumes several ounces of amniotic fluid a day, which is flavored by the foods and beverages you ingest. She notes that at about 21 weeks, your baby can actually taste these flavors!

Garlic, vanilla, carrot, anise, and mint are just few examples of the endless flavors your baby can experience in utero.

Expand your baby’s palette before their first bite.

Not only does your baby directly benefit from the nutrients you consume, these studies also indicate that babies develop memories of the flavors they are exposed to prenatally.

As a result, babies whose mothers consume varieties of spices and herbs are likely to prefer these foods and flavors from very early ages. Developing a sophisticated palette before birth can really help set the stage for lifelong healthy eating habits.

The proof really is in the pudding.

We cannot stress enough how important a nutritious diet is to your baby’s overall health. Exposing your child to fresh produce and tasty spices before and after birth really is the first step in preventive health.

To learn more about this topic, check out our previous post on what more you can do to arm your child with a lifetime of healthy eating habits. Additionally, our greening the womb series points out the importance of healthy eating during pregnancy and how it influences your child’s life-long health.

Give us a call and let us help you choose a nutritional plan that’s fit for you and your little one– 415.826.1701.

“Eat your vegetables!” — a classic, and common plea from desperate parents to kids with turned up noses. And yet many could argue that our hectic lifestyles and the convenience of packaged foods have quieted this age-old battle.

But just how important are fresh fruits and vegetables for your child? The answer is clear and simple: CRITICALLY.

The link between diet and health is undeniable. According to this recent New York Times article, many life-threatening diseases scarily prevalent today – heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers — are entirely preventable, even reversible, with a healthy diet and exercise. Take this alarming statistic, for instance, nearly 90 percent of heart disease is lifestyle related. 90 percent!

Preventing disease is all the more reason to ensure your child eats a healthy diet, and much to your surprise, doing so doesn’t have to be an uphill battle.

Help your child develop a healthy palate from the get-go.

Did you know that introducing fresh fruits and vegetables into your baby’s diet can set him/her up with good eating habits in the future? New research from the De Montfort University has revealed that babies who start on solids of fresh home-cooked meals are more likely to consume more fruits and vegetables throughout childhood than those regularly fed packaged baby food.

As the article indicates, there is growing concern that the prevalence of pre-packaged products has interfered with children getting their recommended vegetable servings. These foods are not as rich in vitamins and nutrients, nor are they as flavorful as freshly prepared dishes.

Such is why early exposure to a variety of fresh fruits and veggies is important to your child’s health–they stand a greater chance of forming a sophisticated taste for healthier foods—which in turn can lead to healthy habits and disease prevention.

How can you get more veggies into your veggie-resistant child?

There are fun and creative ways to ensure your veggie-cautious child is getting his or her daily dose of fruits and veggies. A recent study with preschoolers revealed that with the help of a food processor, you can easily fortify some of your child’s favorite dishes with vitamins and nutrients by mixing servings of pureed vegetables. A carrot here, a cauliflower there –they’re none the wiser and you can rest easy.

What else can you do to keep your child on a healthy regimen? Eat your vegetables! Children learn by example and they’re usually interested in whatever you’re having. Taking the time to make home-cooked meals can really make all the difference for you and your family. Promoting healthy eating will grant them the greatest gift of all—lasting health.

Want to learn more about building and maintaining healthy eating habits? Give us a call and we’ll provide custom nutrition counseling for you and your baby – 415.826.1701.

What is it about breast milk that provides such a boost to babies’ health?  Researchers are still working to answer this question.  We know that newborns take approximately 6 months to develop their immune system, making them incredibly vulnerable to disease.  During the first 10 days of life, a breastfed newborn ingests colostrum, a yellowish fluid known as “first milk,” and breast milk, both of which contain more infection-fighting white cells (also known as leukocytes) per milliliter than there are in the same volume of blood.  Macrophages and neutrophils are types of white blood cells that comprise approximately 90% of the leukocytic load, and their job is to engulf and absorb harmful bacteria.  The remaining 10% of these disease-fighting cells are lymphocytes, primarily T-cells and B-cells, which identify and eliminate invaders while developing antibodies in the newborn.  These lymphocytes produce Secretory IgA, which protect the newborn against environmental exposures and interferon, an antiviral substance.  Mother’s immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM and IgD) are also found in breast milk, and they protect babies from pathogens by coating the superficial layers of the intestines and other mucosal surfaces that serve as points of entry into baby’s body.²

Gut ecology is of special interest to those in the field of functional pediatrics because a healthy gut is typically indicative of over all health.  Research has shown that approximately 75-80% of immune function originates in the gastrointestinal tract.  Breastfed babies receive beneficial bacteria from the bifidus family that produce Gram-positive bacilli in the gut flora and discourage the multiplication of pathogens.  In contrast, babies who consume cow’s milk formula develop Gram-negative (potentially pathogenic) bacilli.  We know that complex sugars in breast milk help to feed the bifidus strains of beneficial bacteria in the infant’s gut.  Just last year researchers at UC Davis revealed that these same complex sugars are not digestible and mimic the surfaces of other cells.  This surface similarity encourages viruses and bacteria to dock with the indigestible complex sugars and not the infant’s gut cells, and this allows babies to flush out viruses and bacteria from their bodies!³

Breast milk has had approximately 200 million years of mammalian evolution to develop systems to protect the most vulnerable members of the species.  GetzWell Pediatrics supports the Surgeon General’s initiative and acknowledges that whenever possible “breast is best.”  We are a Breastfeeding Friendly Business and have a host of resources available to support breastfeeding mothers.  If families are unable to breastfeed, we are also prepared to provide individualized supplement programs to best protect their children.

To learn more about the benefits of breast milk and/or breastfeeding alternatives, give us a call at 415.826.1701. We also invite you to check out our previous post on how breastfeeding reduces risk of fever after vaccines.

****

¹ http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/breastfeeding/calltoactiontosupportbreastfeeding.pdf

² Varney, Helen, et al.  Varney’s Midwifery: Fourth Edition.  Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc.  2004.

³ Wade, Nicholas.  “Breast Milk Sugars Give Infants a Protective Coat.”  New York Times.  August 2, 2010.

Barker, D.J.P. “Fetal Origins of Coronary Heart Disease.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2550226/pdf/bmj00601-0037.pdf

Giscombe, C. L. & Lobel, M. (2005). Explaining disproportionately high rates of adverse birth outcomes among African-Americans: The impact of stress, racism, and related factors in pregnancy. Psychological Bulletin, 131(5), 662-683. Retrieved from PubMed database.

Glynn, L. M., Hobel, C. J., Sandman, C. A., Schetter, C. D. (2008). Pattern of perceived stress and anxiety in pregnancy predicts preterm birth. Health Psychology, 27(1), 43-51. Retrieved from PubMed database.

PVC shower curtains:  http://www.chej.org/showercurtainreport/documents/VV%20national%20final.pdf

Paul, Anne Murphy.  Origins: How the Nine Months Before Birth Shape the Rest of Our Lives. www.anniemurphypaul.com/

Steingraber, Sandra.  Having Faith, An Ecologist’s Journey To Motherhood. www.steingraber.com

Center for Environmental Health: www.ceh.org

Making Our Milk Safe: www.safemilk.org

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: www.safecosmetics.org

Physicians for Social Responsibility[SF chapter]: www.sfbaypsr.org

Breast Cancer Fund: www.breastcancerfund.org

Pesticide Action Network: www.panna.org

Childbirth Connection: www.childbirthconnection.org

Children’s Environmental Health Network: www.cehn.org

Coalition for Improving Maternity Services: www.motherfriendly.org

Collaborative on Health and the Environment: www.healthandenvironment.org

TEDx The Endocrine Disruption Exchange: www.endocrinedisruption.com

Environmental Working Group: www.ewg.org

Healthy Child Healthy World: www.healthychild.org

Natural Resources Defense Council: www.nrdc.org/breastmilk

Science and Environmental Health Network: www.sehn.org

Sandra Steingraber: www.steingraber.com

UCSF Report: Shaping Our Legacy: www.prhe.ucsf.edu/prhe/pubs/shapingourlegacy.pdf

Women to Women Discussion on Endocrine Disruptors: www.womentowomen.com/detoxification/endocrinedisruptors.aspx

Washington Toxics Coalition’s Early Exposure Study: www.watoxics.org/publications/earliest-exposures

Dr. Mark Hyman: www.drhyman.com

Institute for Functional Medicine: www.functionalmedicine.org

** A special thanks to EcoBirth for helping to compile resource links! **

For those who have been following GetzWell’s Facebook posts, you know we have been delving more deeply into how human health is inextricably linked to the health of our food supply and the sustainability of our planet.  As Dr. Hyman tells us, “The ecology of eating — the importance of what you put on your fork — has never been more critical to our survival as a nation or as a species.”  I couldn’t agree more.

Let’s harness the power of our forks and “vote” by purchasing local, sustainable and organic food whenever possible.  The “extraordinary thing is that we have the ability to move large corporations and create social change by our collective choices,” says Dr. Hyman.

In Health,

Julia Getzelman, MD

In the short-term, kids in the kitchen are:

• More likely to try a diverse array of healthy foods, thus decreasing the risk of developing food allergies and ensuring the consumption of bioavailable vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids and other building blocks.
• Likely to feel that they are accomplishing something and contributing to their family’s well-being.
• More likely to sit down to a family meal when they helped prepare it.
• Avoiding time spent in front of the TV or computer while they’re cooking.
• Typically not eating junk food when they’re cooking a meal at home.

In the long-term,

• Learning to cook is a skill your children can use for the rest of their lives.
• Kids who learn to eat well are more likely to eat healthfully as adults, reducing their chances of developing chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
• Positive cooking experiences can help build self-confidence.
• Kids who cook with their parents and develop positive relationships and open lines of communication along the way may be less likely to abuse drugs as teenagers.

Starting with simple dishes like pasta, sandwiches, salads, or smoothies with children as young as 2-3 years of age can set the stage for success and confidence in the kitchen.

Children under 5 years of age can help:

• Spread peanut butter on bread.
• Cut banana slices with plastic knife.
• Wash and scrub fruits and vegetables.
• Wipe off the counter top.
• Tear lettuce or snap beans.
• Shake plastic bags full of different ingredients.
• Pour ingredients from pre-measured cups.
• Stir or mix ingredients.
• Whisk ingredients.
• Place food on baking sheets or trays.

Older children can grow into many tasks like:

• Cracking and separating eggs.
• Reading some recipes by themselves and inventing their own.
• Using the electric mixer.
• Stirring food over the stove (with adult supervision).
• Grating cheese.
• Cutting vegetables and fruits (with adult supervision if needed).
• Setting the table for dinner.

Dr. Nasta’s Kid-Friendly “Chicken Fingers” Recipe (without the chicken!)

Prep time 15-20 mins.  Cook time 10-12 mins.

• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 tsp unprocessed salt, divided
• 2 free range eggs, lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano and 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/4 tsp dried sage
• 1 lb extra firm organic/non-GMO tofu, drained and patted dry
• 2 tbs olive oil

parent + child: Gather 3 medium size bowls and put them on the counter.

child: Measure the flour and 1/4 tsp of the salt.  Mix together in one of the bowls.

parent + child: Crack the eggs into the second bowl and then whisk gently.

child: Measure the bread crumbs, cheese, basil, thyme, oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, and sage in the third bowl and mix.

parent + child: Slice tofu into 8 rectangles by cutting the block into 4 equal pieces and then cutting each piece in half.

parent + child: Roll each piece of tofu in the flour, then coat them with egg, and finally cover them with the bread crumb mixture.  Set aside on a separate plate.

parent: Heat a large saute pan or skillet over low-medium heat.  Add the olive oil, then place each piece of tofu in the pan.  Flip after 4-5 minutes.

child: Prepare for the cooked tofu fingers by putting a paper towel on a plate.

parent: When tofu fingers are crispy, place on the paper towel.  Serve hot, with marinara dipping sauce!

Our collective consciousness appears to be shifting towards the acknowledgment that our green choices matter, for ourselves and the generations that follow. As integrative pediatricians focused on supporting and optimizing children’s health, we at GetzWell Pediatrics believe that green affirmations and their legacies are not only integral to the well-being of our world but also inextricably linked to the ultimate life-giving and life-sustaining environment — the womb.

Greening the Womb is a scientific and relational exploration of environmental factors that may influence fertility and conception as well as the gestational and perinatal periods of a baby’s development and may also impact a child’s long term health and wellness. Greening the Womb examines the influences of nutrition, toxic exposures, maternal well-being, prenatal and perinatal psychology as well as epigenetics in order to make recommendations that may help children achieve optimal health.

If you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, even a few small changes can have a significant impact on your child and the planet. Here are some tips to get you started:

The Power of Your Plate

• Eat as much organic food as possible and only organic meat, eggs and dairy.  This cuts down on pesticide exposure and also the amount of petroleum used in agriculture.
• When you cannot afford organic produce or it’s unavailable in your community, use the “Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce” to influence your purchases and minimize exposures.  This is available at www.foodnews.org.
• Omega-3 fatty acids are important for babies’ brain development, which is more rapid in utero than at any other time in your child’s life.  It’s challenging to get adequate amounts of omega-3s from fish, as many fish contain mercury and PCBs, which pregnant woman should avoid.  A highly purified fish oil supplement is the safest way to ensure sufficient intake.
• Avoid canned goods, as cans are lined with BPA, a known endocrine disruptor.
• Adequate vitamin D, either in the form of safe sunlight or a supplement, is important for a healthy pregnancy.  Low vitamin D levels during pregnancy have been associated with intrauterine growth retardation, premature labor and hypertension, all of which increase the risk of low birth weight which has been associated with obesity and Type 2 diabetes. 1 Low maternal vitamin D levels have also been associated with a greater risk of c-sections. 2
• Probiotics (the “bacteria of life”) which live in our intestinal tracts and offer much protection in the form of digestive and immune health may help prevent allergies and asthma in our children. 3
• Choose a water filter (like Brita) to provide purer drinking water and make sure to drink before you are thirsty.

Greening Your Home

• To reduce exposure to toxins, commit to using cleaning products that are free of chemicals such as bleach, petroleum products, phosphates, pthalates, dyes, etc.
• Leave windows cracked or open whenever possible. Studies have found that levels of several ‘organics’ average 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors  (from volatile organic compounds originating from paint, carpet, wood stains, varnishes, plastics, building materials, etc.).
• Replace PVC shower curtains. (As many as 100 toxic chemicals associated with adverse health effects are released into the air from PVC vinyl shower curtains.)  Consumers should avoid vinyl shower curtains and instead choose curtains made of cotton, polyester, or nylon. 4
• Choose low or no VOC paint when renovating.

Skin and Personal Care Products

• Use the Environmental Working Group’s cosmetic safety database to inform your choices of products, www.cosmeticsdatabase.com.
• Read labels: avoid products with ingredients that you can’t pronounce as well as parabens, “fragrance,” sodium laurel sulfate, triclosan.
• Minimize use of dark hair dyes, many of which contain coal tar, linked to cancer.
• Reduce or stop use of nail polish (which routinely contains ingredients linked to birth defects) and only apply in a well-ventilated room.

1. Early Human Dev. 2009 Apr; 85(4): 231-4; Epidemiology. 2009 Sep; 20(5): 720-6;  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Dec 23.

2. J Clin Endocrin Metab. 2008 Dec 23; J Clin Endocrin Metab. 2009 Mar; 94 (3): 940-5.

3. Clinical Pediatrics. 2006; 45(5): 405-410; Journal of Nutrition. 2005; 51: 1487-1493.

4. Envir Health Perspectives. 2003; 111: 1783-1785.