Parenthood and chicken nuggets go hand-in-hand, right? Are you even a parent if you don't have a freezer stash of them - and a pantry with Mac and cheese?

But at what cost are we feeding our children these processed items? Add in the pizzas, pb&j sandwiches, gold fish, cookies, donuts, candy, and juices, and it's a recipe for disaster. 

Yes, it's a busy world for parents these days, but serving up healthier options has more benefits than you realized. The food that your child consumes directly impacts his gut, and his gut is the second brain to the body. The gut holds 80% of the immune system and is linked to the skin, the brain, the nervous system, etc.  

Why Your Child Needs the Right Foods

Calories do not equal nutrition.  Just because your child is eating meals does not make them healthy meals.  Store bought, shelved cereal, bread, waffles, granola bars, sandwiches, cookies, crackers, French fries, etc... are all processed and filled with chemicals, artificial items, and absolutely nothing that benefits the body.  They are not just a filler though…  they are harming the body. 

These foods transform the gut from a source of nourishment to a source of toxicity.  These toxins travel through the body affecting different individuals in different ways. If the brain of the child is clogged with toxins, all of his sensory information cannot be processed properly.  This can show as ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, or just an emotional or overly strong-willed child. You may see eczema, bumps on the arms, or other rashes.  Your child may wet the bed, sleep horribly, or be overly tired. He may have a swollen gut, constipation or loose stool issues. The list of possibilities is pretty long, but it all connects to the health of the gut.

Tips to Keep the Gut Happy

• Cut the processed foods out – Read labels and skip boxed and bagged items with a shelf life longer than a week.
  
  
• No food dyes – these shouldn't be consumed.
  
  
• Stick with whole foods – Your budget will dictate what you can afford, and that's ok. Flash frozen is always a great option!
  
  
• Think Simple – Don’t spend days on Pinterest.  Stick with 5-10 meals that everyone likes and rotate them.  Simple meals taste wonderful and are significantly cheaper to prepare than elaborate ones.

Reference: http://www.westonaprice.org/childrens-health/

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