Nutrition is essential
Nutrition is essential to a child’s cognitive growth and development. When diet and health become imbalanced, milestones are not met and problematic behaviors arise. Attention Deficit/ADHD, OCD, depression, aggression, implosions, poor sleep, difficulty socializing with peers, following instructions and poor self-control may follow.
Parents may instinctively reach for a multivitamin, but many store-bought brands are insufficient offering incomplete or inadequate formulas. There is a big difference, for instance, between folic acid and methyl folate. Most multivitamins contain the former, but it is actually the latter that your body utilizes. Genetics can also affect your child’s ability to convert certain vitamins to their activated and usable forms.
The right food is also key. Some years ago, I was eating at a restaurant when I noticed a child sitting at another table wearing a plastic helmet. He was reasonably behaved and seemed fine. And then…he started eating. Within a few minutes, he began making loud noises and became aggressive. His head and arms swung wildly. I now understood the purpose of the helmet. The parents had made the connection between eating and behavior and they were prepared. There are other ways, though, to address such reactions and make dining out less challenging.
A few simple tests can help identify deficiencies or even toxic excesses that may negatively affect a child’s temperament. I have witnessed great improvements in children when proper nutritional balance is restored.
Diet though must be paired with good digestion! Children are notoriously picky eaters and many children don’t eat all the foods needed to promote diverse and beneficial gut flora. I work on digestive health with all my clients, children included. Even better, I can offer clever ways to incorporate those healthy foods into your child’s diet without encountering so much resistance!
As children grow into their teen years, puberty also affects both physical and mental development. Entrance into athletic programs increases the need for optimal nutrition, especially electrolyte replacement. AND…let’s not forget about the importance of good sleep.
Children of all ages are great responders to nutritional therapy…even better than adults! Improvement is possible and the degree of change may amaze you. Please get in touch today. No child should ever have to eat wearing a helmet.
