Living and eating healthy should not be a hard thing. I know from experience that with the right plan and mindset, kids can be taught to love the right foods.
My kids have never had an imperfect food their entire lives. They are totally healthy. It is almost funny to see a 5- and a 6-year-old with ripped 6-pack abs and little muscles.
Most people don’t even realize it is possible for kids to be this healthy! But it is. The truth is that we don’t inhibit their bodies by feeding them poisons.
Focus on Substitution
So what if you ARE feeding them bad foods? You’re not a bad parent for feeding them Cheetos or milk or processed foods. You just haven’t had the right tools to do otherwise.
Luckily, it can be simple to change these habits, but only if you are committed.
One way to get started is to start substituting. Your kids may be used to certain foods, but I promise that you can find ways to make healthy foods taste just as good, if not better, than the bad stuff.
I can tell you a million different ways to substitute things! For example, If they like cheese you can add cheese to their broccoli to get them to eat it. We even have nacho cheese recipes that are anti-inflammatory!
Anti-Inflammatory is Key
I have hundreds of recipes, tips, and stories I can share to help you feel prepared to cook and eat the right anti-inflammatory foods with your kids, no matter what they eat now.
The difference between my program and others is that at the Epigenetics Healing Center, you don’t just get a list — you get a support system and a resource to set you up for success.
Top Anti-Inflammatory Foods:
On a basic level, try to incorporate some these anti-inflammatory foods into you and your family’s diet whenever possible. *Note: this is not an exhaustive list.
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Whole grains
- Ginger
- Nuts
- Beans
- Berries
- Avocado
- Pineapple
- Garlic
- Salmon & Oily Fish
- Beets
- Apples
- Cherries
- Olive Oil
- Green tea
3 Quick Substitution Tips
- Swap Out The Dairy
Don’t you think it is a little weird that we consume so much of another animal’s infant food? We are the only species on the planet that does this. Dairy is well known to cause inflammation, and many of us can’t even digest it at all (AKA lactose intolerance). Luckily, this day in age there are so many dairy alternatives available at the grocery store — like nut milks, for example.
- Substitute fruit for refined sugar
I’m sure you know that sugar is damaging to your kids’ health. It spikes insulin levels and causes them to produce excessive amounts of inflammatory chemicals. Go with fruit over a sugary snack, ideally an anti-inflammatory variety like berries or pineapple.
- Choose water over all else
Proper hydration supports everything in the body, from our skin to our digestion to our energy levels. Marketing teams do a great job of attracting children to artificial drinks like sodas or sugary juices with labels and colors. Try to resist. I promise you, even the small benefits they get from fruit juice vitamins are not worth the excessive sugars they are taking in.
Nutritional Counseling at the Epigenetics Healing Center
What does nutritional counseling have to do with chronic disease? The goal of functional medicine is to help clients achieve total health and balance with their body. As part of that goal, we provide specific recommendations on what your body needs to not express the disease.
Feeding children with a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet from an early age can prevent them from developing debilitating chronic conditions in the first place.
So where can you begin?
The task of a complete diet overhaul for you and your entire family may seem too daunting to even consider. You may be thinking, “Oh no, I can’t do that. My kids would never go for that.” Trust us, they will. You just need to have a plan.
Plans hold power. We’ll make sure you fully understand and commit to yours, and we’ll be there to help you over humps and obstacles along the way. We offer total support and guidance on your journey, both in-person and remotely.
Schedule a Consultation for Nutritional Counseling
I promise that you can make absolutely anti-inflammatory meals taste incredible. I do it every day — and my kids love it!
Don’t wait for your children to get sick to start caring about their health. Start now. Contact us and we can help you through the whole process.
Are you ready to restore your life?
Dr. Jay Goodbinder ND DC DABCI is a doctor in Kansas City, MO who serves patients in the surrounding Kansas City areas, cities across the United States, and in several countries around the world.