| Converting "Conventional" Kids to Organic |
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Thoughts of adamant, vocal objections and never-ending tantrums may enter your mind at the idea of changing your toddler or preschooler's diet to an organic regime. This might cause you to rethink the benefits of avoiding conventionally grown and processed foods. Or, you may wish to wait until your children are a little older before making the switch. However, armed with some medical tips and a little parental savvy, your child can enjoy the taste of a healthier, more natural diet and reap benefits that will last a lifetime.
It's Never Too Late to Start
Sound impossible? Actually, the timing has never been better. "Very young children develop dietary patterns that will last a lifetime," says Dr. Alan Greene, pediatrician and clinical faculty member at Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, Calif., and founder and CEO of DrGreene.com.
Often referred to as "metabolic imprinting," food cravings and eating habits are well established during the preschool years. Replacing conventionally processed foods with organic products will set your child up for lifelong success. The family table is paramount. "The search for family identity is strong during the preschool years," says Dr. Greene. "Studies have shown that children model similar tastes molded from witnessing adult eating habits." And waiting until children are older will not necessarily make the switch to organics any easier.
It's All about Conditioning
Dr. Andrea Pennington, former medical director of Discovery Health and founder of the Pennington Institute of Health in Silver Spring, Md., describes the challenges parents face in converting young children to organics. "Fast food and snack products are more plentiful today than ever before," she says. "A kaleidoscope of red, orange and yellow colors used in marketing stimulates hunger in the brain, and these products flood our grocer's shelves and restaurants." Children become conditioned to crave these foods, forming habits that will strengthen as they grow older.Start small, Dr. Pennington advises. Substitute foods on a case-by-case basis instead of implementing a complete overhaul of your child's diet. "This will surely lead to disaster," she says. "Gradually introduce organic versions of their favorite foods such as vegetable-based pastas. Provide plenty of organic fruits and vegetables, especially when you're on the go." Organic peanut butter can be easily substituted for conventional versions.
Children are unable to differentiate between the appearance of an organic fruit and a conventional one, so fruits and vegetables can be an effortless switch. Be mindful of children younger than 3 for whom foods such as whole grapes can pose a choking hazard. "Toddlers love to smear and touch things," says Dr. Pennington. "Tactile sensation is part of their learning experience. Oranges are a great choice. The segments allow young children to squish them, teeth on them and savor the delicious juice." Beth Sitz, a mom of two from Frederick, Md., has gradually weaned her children from conventional foods. "We used to eat frosted cereals every day," says Sitz. "And then I started reading about the artificial ingredients in processed foods and the pesticides and chemicals used on conventionally grown produce." She began selecting organic foods at her local Whole Foods Market. To make the initial transition easier, she started with unsweetened, puffed rice cereal and naturally-flavored fruit cereals sweetened with a dollop of organic honey. Sitz's family now consumes a majority of organic foods, although she has faced some barriers along the way when visiting friends and relatives. "There are many challenges," says Dr. Greene. "Start by creating a home environment that will ease the change. For one, minimize your child's exposure to television commercials. Take control of the constant marketing bombardment and play DVDs or watch public television." Organic food is less about marketing and more about the quality of the taste and the product.
Education is Key
"When shopping with your children, avoid certain aisles or shop at the natural food grocers or farmers markets, where conventional products simply aren't available," advises Dr. Greene. Dr. Pennington suggests involving children in the shopping and meal preparation process. "Education is key," she says. "Educate them as to why organic foods are better for them." For example, invite your children to help you prepare an organic trail mix.
"Emphasize that food is fuel, and note the positive aspects of organic foods," says Dr. Pennington. "Avoid simply stating that the other foods are 'bad' and explain to your child why the natural foods are a better choice." Use examples tots can relate to, such as "Popeye eats spinach to stay strong" or "Bugs Bunny's carrots make him see better and run faster." Consistency is critical, so expect a long haul during the transition process. "Avoid the trap of succumbing to your child's insistence for conventionally processed foods," says Dr. Greene. Sweets and goodies should be used sparingly.
A Little Bit of Creativity and Patience
Dr. Greene emphasizes that young children must try new foods at least six to nine times before developing a taste for them. "It takes a great deal of patience and consistency to introduce new foods in a manner that the child will eventually, and happily, accept," he says. "Encourage your child to sample small bits of different foods." Don't consider the transition a failure if they temporarily backslide.Employ creative tactics. "Make funny faces with fruits and veggies," says Dr. Pennington. "You can disguise the flavors as well," adds Dr. Greene. "Combine organic oranges and carrots in a muffin, for example, and decrease the amount of oranges gradually, while increasing the carrot content."
Organic on the Road
Problematic issues will nonetheless arise, as they did with Sitz. Dr. Greene advises selecting restaurants that offer nutritional, natural foods on their children's menus.
Stephanie McGovern, a Maryland mom of four, cautions to avoid opting for something "quick." "I carry apple slices and raisins whenever we leave the house," she says. She purchases many quick and easy to prepare products at her local co-op. "I focus on the educational aspect with my own children to avoid the temptation of outside influences," says McGovern. "My 7-year-old can read, and she is aware that corn syrup is not something our family consumes. We discuss preservatives and chemicals and I make them aware of the risks." In addition, McGovern offers vegan and organic menus when hosting her children's birthday parties, and guests love it. "We have many tastier alternatives and choices because of the rise in the natural food industry," she says. So prepare yourself, and your children, as you embark on this somewhat perilous, but highly beneficial, journey toward providing a healthier future and a lifetime of well-being. By applying the principles of patience, consistency and enjoyable and easy-to-prepare food substitutions, you needn't fear switching your conventionally bred preschoolers to organics.
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