4. Eliminate white sugars and food coloring from their diet
In many clinical studies, even one teaspoon of sugar has been found to significantly suppress a child’s immune system. Simple sugars compete for absorption sites with most vitamins, especially vitamin C, therefore when a child eats a large number of sweets or other sugars at the end of a nutritious meal, the body will have difficulties absorbing the important vitamins. We all know that it is very difficult to avoid sugar completely, but it is still important to do our best to reduce our children’s sugar intake. You can do this by limiting the amount of sweets your child eats, spreading out regular meal times and snacking, and using alternatives such as natural honey, date honey, chopped raisins when you want to sweeten their foods.
And avoid foods with food colorings and preservatives.
By training, I am a American Board Certified Pediatrician. But in my younger years I grew up with natural alternatives. As a mom I have tried to incorporate both for my kids and it has worked wonders. And finally, as I am studying natural & alternative medicines, I realize the beauty and wisdom of living closer to earth. Hence in my practice I integrate both...for acute ailments I follow American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation but for simple and/or chronic conditions I prefer natural alternatives.
In western training we were raised to think that "health is the absence of symptoms and problems". But eastern sensibilities has educated me that "Health is state that allows one to use the full capabilities of their body, mind and intellect. Therefore, healthy living is a balanced state of well being: physically, mentally, socially and spiritually." This implies that healing is not a "one-pill-fits-all", but a personalized experience.
