Why Fresh Food is Best! Part I

Babies deserve the best of everything that can be offered. The first year of life is the most critical for a child, particularly from a nutritional standpoint. Since parents are primarily responsible for their baby’s health, it is extremely important for them to understand Allergies and the unique nutritional requirements of infants & children.

During this period, an infant experiences the most rapid growth and development period in their entire lifetime. Nutrition is critical at this time, as the baby’s diet must support this rapid growth rate by getting adequate Phytonutrients and Complete Nutrition.

For at least the first year of life, Breast Milk is essential for a babies complete nutrition to be met. Nursing moms are giving their baby essential phytonutrients through their own diet and breast milk.

Some women have been told that their baby is allergic to their milk, when 99% of the time they were actually allergic to the food mommy was eating while pregnant & breastfeeding, as opposed to the breast milk itself.  If a mommy removes the top allergens from her own diet, chances are, the baby will begin to tolerate her milk, colic will stop and eczema and rashes will likely disappear.  If not, it is important to have baby checked for inborn genetic errors.

If you have adopted your baby or have some other reason why breast milk is not available, please consider making homemade Coconut Milk Formula, instead of synthetic store bought formula. Please see my recipes page.

The most common allergies in babies are dairy, eggs, citrus, gluten, soy and nuts.  Allergies are common in babies who have parents or relatives with allergies, so if you or a close relative has food allergies, skin disorders, auto-immune diseases,  environmental or pet allergies, please observe your baby closely and do an elimination diet.

According to BabyCentre Medical Advisory Board and The Department of Health, although many people start feeding babies food at 4 months of age, the majority of baby’s digestive systems are immature and may not be ready for solid foods. Babies usually still lack digestive enzymes and early solid foods may actually induce allergies.  In addition, if they get food poisoning or a food born illness, their immune system may not be ready to handle it, especially if they are a preemie baby.

*Unless your baby has started losing weight and seems very very hungry after a good good milk feeding, then consider waiting until 6months before adding solid foods.  Age 6-8 months old may be a more appropriate time to start introducing foods, ONE FOOD AT A TIME- ONE WEEK AT A TIME!  It is essential that you don’t get too excited and give your baby another food, drink, oil, herb or spice, without truly observing him/her for a week.

A great Starter Food is Avocado. Avoacado is a complete protein and has a mild taste. Simply mash a tiny sliver of Avocado… Wait 3 days, Observe for the following symptoms:

• rash, hives, diarrhea, pain, vomiting, hiccups, constipation
• personality changes, drastic mood swings, colic
• If no reaction, proceed with 2 more slivers of Avocado, wait 3 more days.

Do this ELIMINATION DIET WITH EVERY SINGLE FOOD AND DRINK YOU INTRODUCE TO YOUR INFANT or CHILD.  If you do this with every food and drink you give your child, then you will most likely save your baby the pain of being poked and you the heartache, time & money of having to go to the doctor and have his blood tested. This method increases the likelihood of you just figuring it out yourself.

Many Doctors & Allergist forget to tell you:

• Allergies can present as a psychological/behavioral reaction
• ADHD, Tantrums, Brain Fog, Psychosis, can be food related.
• Some allergies do not appear for days
• Skin Disorders like Eczema & Psoriasis are Food Allergies.
• Many allergies do not show up on standard allergy testing.
• Some allergies do not show up unless they are repeatedly eaten

According to a study by Aristo Vojdani, based on clinical presentation and antibody response, immune-mediated adverse reactions to foods can be divided into immediate and delayed hypersensitivity reactions.

Vojdani stated that immediate reactions to food antigens are IgE-mediated and dependent on activation of mast cells in specific tissues, including the skin, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal, mucosal, and cardiovascular system.  Vojdani concluded that the delayed immune reaction to food antigens are mediated by IgG, IgA and IgM. Unlike the immediate effects of IgE-mediated allergy, the IgG, IgM and IgA-mediated food allergy and intolerance reactions can take several days to appear.

Vojdani also reported that levels of IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies in the blood can be measured against different food antigens for demonstration of delayed food allergy and intolerance reactions.

If you suspect a child or anyone in your life has allergies, make sure you stand up and advocate for your right to have a complete allergy panel of the most accurate testing, such as, IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE and also DNA testing for Microdeletions and MTHFR polymorphisms that may impact what a person should eat.

Why is Fresh Food Best? From a Nutritional & Whole Food Vitamin standpoint, store bought food, does not even begin to compare to real fresh food.

• Harmful Ingredients banned in many countries are still used in the U.S.
• Store Food has additives & preservatives not always listed on labels.
• Organic Label does not always mean 100% Organic.
• Synthetic ingredients allow Processed Food to sit on shelves for years.
• Child may be allergic to additives & preservatives, not the actual food.
• Nutrients are pretty dead by the time they are processed & put in a jar.
• Baby kidneys & liver have a hard time metabolizing these preservatives.
• Food processing includes thermal & non-thermal treatments,
• Food Processing has a different effect on a Child’s Allergen Reactions.

Home-cooked meals and fresh Yummy Yummy Baby food has the real Phytonutrients your child’s brain and body requires and will thrive on!

• If it’s impossible to prepare meals, please choose organic baby foods.
• Organic store bought food still contains additives & preservatives!
• Freeze a portion of family meals you cook in glass containers for baby.
• Make sure to feed your baby & loved ones, every color of the rainbow.
• Go easy on meat protein, there are many ways to give your baby protein.

Meat is only one source of Protein!  Remember, ounce for ounce and calorie for calorie, Broccoli and Kale provide more Protein than Porterhouse Steak!

I will be sharing more kid-friendly foods in the future, but here are a few simple Yummy Yummy Baby Recipes:

Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Bananas, Coconut Butter, Cinnamon!

1. Cut & Slice veggies, Steam 8-12 minutes (medium heat)
2. Mash Veggies & Bananas all together
3. Mix with Coconut Butter or Coconut Oil
4. Mix in a dash of Cinnamon
5. Remember to TEST EACH FOOD INGREDIENT first, one at a time.
6. Buy only Organic Ingredients for Baby Food

Here is a toddler version she can eat with her fingers. Great thing is, you can make this as a side dish for your own meal!

Yummy Yummy Baby Breakfast:

1. Coconut Yogurt (Homemade or Store bought)
2. Honey Dew Melon
3. Strawberries
4. Persimmon
5. Sliced Walnuts (Wait one year)
6. Sliced Bananas
7. For an infant- Puree all together (except nuts)

Have fun, go very very slowly with each food and remember it takes only a couple of minutes to prepare.

You will spend more time & money taking care of a sick or allergenic child, so put the time in at the front end to prepare your baby a Real Fresh Organic Yummy Yummy Baby meal!

Stay Healthy & Happy ~ Dr. Dee