Feed Your Children Well
A primal lifestyle is not just for grownups, it’s just as important for children. The little people we love, raise and influence are as vulnerable to the “toxins” of modern life as we are. Kids are resilient, no question! But, resiliency doesn’t protect them from the long-term consequences of poor nutrition and a “plugged-in” lifestyle. We are seeing more behavior problems, allergies and obesity issues in children today than ever before. They deserve better than this and we have the ability to arm them with good health!
What do children need to live well, be happy and enjoy quality of life?
Nutrition
Just like adults, our children’s cells GROW, LIVE and THRIVE as a result of the nutrients they eat, and it’s arguably even more critical that they receive those proper nutrients given how fast they are growing and the development they are undergoing!
The foods that should be emphasized on your kids’ plates include:
- Meat (ideally 100% grass-fed), fowl (ideally pasture-raised), fish (ideally wild-caught), eggs (preferably pasture-raised)
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Nuts, seeds and healthful oils (olive, coconut, avocado, nut)
The foods that should be greatly reduced or eliminated when possible include:
- Grains
- Legumes
- Dairy
- Sugar and processed foods
Your children are incredibly impressionable. Even if they appear to put up a fight when you offer advice, they are listening and evaluating inside. One of the best things you can do for your children is educate them on what “real food” is. Expose them to the differences in “real food” verses “factory food” and where “real food” comes from. Get your kids involved and make food fun!
Outside Play
Sadly, outside play is becoming a lost art for many children. Video games, TV, iPods and texting are replacing time exploring Mother Nature and doing what kids are meant to do – use their imaginations and PLAY! Outside play is their exercise, their opportunity to touch the Earth and connect with nature. Encourage this!
Clean Air
Much of the focus with primal living is about reducing the “toxins” or chemicals in the food we eat. But, it’s also important to reduce the toxins in our air and on our skin. These chemicals also find their way into our body and can have damaging effects. We certainly can’t prevent all such evils, but we can make certain choices in our own homes. Using safer cleaning products and choosing more natural skin and hair care products for our children, and us, is a step in the right direction.
Love and Support!
Adopting a lifestyle that is different from mainstream can be confusing and unsettling for young ones at times. Be there to guide, discuss and support your kids through their questions and concerns. It’s a process. Keep it a positive one.
Sleep
The importance of sleep and your child’s health is no secret! They NEED sleep for good behavior, cognitive growth and physical development. A primal approach can help achieve quality sleep as proper nutrition (reduced sugar, reduced chemical additives, reduced fillers, and increased nutrient density), outside play (small natural doses of vitamin D, exercise, imaginative play and reduced time with electronics), clean air (less household toxins and fewer chemicals to breathe in), and love and support all positively influence your child’s ability to sleep well.
Raising “Primal Kids” can be very rewarding, but it also comes with many challenges. Some of these challenges will be discussed in the posts linked below. Check back for updates as well as tips, ideas and recipes to make the transition easier and to help maintain your “primal kids” lifestyle. The goal is not perfection! The goal is education and arming your kiddos with quality tools to help them to eventually make their own decisions.
