Feeding Our Children

<p>Our children deserve better. The foods we eat starting during pregnancy can have an incredible impact on the lifelong health of a child. As the health of our children and our nation deteriorate there is a sense of urgency. How can we protect our children and families and start making better choices for a healthy future? This book answers the question: <em>What should we be feeding our children</em>?</p><p> </p><p> <em>Feeding Our Children</em> translates decades of experience in human nutrition pediatrics and gastroenterology into a definitive and comprehensive resource accessible to both parents and healthcare professionals. It draws upon the latest research and work of leading experts in pediatric nutrition and medicine to provide science-based information that dispels common dietary myths and harmful practices. This book delivers credible science that guides parents through the crucial early years of feeding a child from conception and pregnancy through school age avoiding the pitfalls that undermine children's health and programs them for disease later in life.</p><p> </p><p> This book explains in detail the impact of food on critical areas of pediatric health that have been often overlooked:</p><p> <strong><em>The microbiome</em></strong> (our probiotic intestinal bacteria)</p><p> <strong><em>Epigenetic programming</em></strong> (the ability to turn our genes on and off)</p><p> <strong><em>Child neurodevelopment</em></strong><em> </em>(growing a healthy brain).</p><p> </p><p> By teaching parents how to emphasize foods that support these key areas of health at each stage of a child's life we can help prevent a number of health conditions that could affect them throughout their lifetime.<em> </em>Each chapter focuses on a specific stage of the child's development and answers essential questions.</p><ul><li><em>What should a pregnant mother be eating?</em></li><li><em>How do we limit a child's exposure to toxic substances in our environment? </em></li><li><em>How does a breastfeeding mother's diet affect her milk? </em></li><li><em>What are the differences in infant formulas and what should a parent look for in a formula? </em></li><li><em>How should we introduce solid foods and which first foods are best? </em></li><li><em>What should we feed our toddlers to prevent nutritional deficiencies? </em></li><li><em>What is a Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) and how do we recognize them early and get help? </em></li><li><em>What foods can trigger common allergies and intolerances and what is the difference? </em></li><li><em>How does diet affect metabolism and the risk for developing future diabetes and heart disease? </em></li><li><em>How can diet affect children's brains and how can we feed them to maximize their cognitive abilities?</em></li></ul><p><br></p><p>By answering these and other questions about early childhood nutrition <em>Feeding our Children</em> empowers both parents and healthcare professionals by providing them with the resources knowledge and skills to navigate through this important phase of life with confidence.</p>