Lately my niece who is just out of high school has been asking me all sorts of questions about ingredient labels, which crackers to buy, and how I choose which restaurants to eat at, and I've been loving it. She said, “My parents say I'm starting to sound like you.” I'm pretty sure it wasn't a compliment, ha! 🙂
I keep telling her that the way she has become interested in what she puts into her body will not only help her stay healthy and keep her body looking great as she ages, but it will also help her have babies someday that are easier to raise!
Granted, that may not mean much to her now. But I stress to her that babies born from moms who take care of their bodies and know what to eat before, during and after pregnancy, as well as what to feed their babies after they're born, are usually blessed with children who have milder dispositions, no digestive or other health problems, no troubles with learning, and it can even prevent the need for braces!
Don't believe me? Just get a copy of this book on feeding babies: Nourished Beginnings Baby Food: Nutrient-Dense Recipes for Infants, Toddlers and Beyond Inspired by Ancient Wisdom and Traditional Foods
It's true, I've seen it with my own eyes with our kids. Our first three were pretty good babies, yes, but wow, I've always said that our youngest wins the prize. He wakes up happy, he goes to bed happy, he learns easily, he gets over things quickly. It's still too early to tell if our diet has been good enough to avoid braces (we probably still have too many compromise foods in the mix), so we'll have to wait and see about that. But if not, everything else has made it all worth it anyway. And it's not like the nutritious foods we eat are a hardship. We eat plenty of delicious traditional full-fat foods, naturally raised produce, pastured meats and dairy, and yes, a little cod liver oil thrown in for good measure.
Food Is THAT Powerful.
If you cleaned up your diet after having some of your kids like we did, do you notice any differences “before” and “after”? Let us know in the comments!
More you might like:
- Know some friends who are pregnant? Here's the best week-by-week book for pregnancy by Genevieve (a.k.a. Mama Natural): Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth
karen says
I would say to Erica that the reason her first son doesn’t need braces is because he was born first. I’ve read (but have no website to site right this second) that a woman’s body gives all it’s best stuff to the first born.
Erica says
Although I love many of the ideas/advice I read on here I think it is irresponsible to claim that diet is responsible for the need for braces. While diet places a significant role in the health of teeth, I think genetic plays a much larger role in how straight they are. I had a horrible diet growing up, my teeth are perfectly straight. My older son has perfectly straight teeth, my younger son inherited my moms crowded teeth and will need braces. They have the same diet. Maybe this is not what you’re refering to but as much as I love the “real food” way, I cringe when I read outlandish claims, it can’t cure everything.
KitchenKop says
There are always exceptions, for sure, but have you read the book by Dr. Weston Price called, “Nutrition and Physical Degeneration”? You’ll be convinced at how important the diet is for bone structure/jaw development.
Kelly
Jenny says
Can anyone out there help with infant eczema? My four month old granddaughter has just recently gotten it despite a water birth, nursing, no vaccinations ( thank God )! It is pretty severe. She is taking a high quality probiotic/prebiotic, flax oil, and being slathered down with organic extra
virgin coconut oil. It seems to be maybe slowly healing. Unfortunately she is, also teething with a tooth almost ready to break thru. Her parents are trying to avoid any prescription or over the counter drugs or lotions. Help please if anyone has suggestions. I have to say I agree with what this article said. Up
until now she has been a very happy, content baby. Personally, since I watch her several days a week, I want that baby back!
KitchenKop says
Jenny, I’ll put this up on Facebook right now, so hopefully you’ll get some good ideas of what to try over there!
https://www.facebook.com/KellytheKitchenKop/posts/10150987832416262
Kelly
Kat says
I had a wonderful neighbor who loaned me her book’ “Let’s Have Healthy Children” by Adelle Davis, 30 years ago when my first born was suffering with severe colic. What a difference that made. His colic was gone in 2 days. I have used that book ever since. Much of the advice in her book still holds true. Now, thankfully there are so many more resources available. The bottom line: nutrition is key.
Leah says
Heather like yourself is a truly amazing and informative woman. I know I did a good job with my first pregnancy. It wasnt planned so I hadnt prepped my body accordingly but I followed my gut and skipped mainstream recommendations and fed wholesome foods from the garden. She still has some minor gut issues but is really extremely healthy. Homebirthed and non vaccinated! Baby number two again wasnt planned but very much wanted and due to my wholesome diet the pregnancy, birth, and now the baby are so much calmer. dare I say easier. I am still breastfeeding both at 9mo and 32 mo despite supply issues in the beginning. Thank you WAPF nutrition guidelines for correcting that! Did I mention I was dx with MS before all this and this lifestyle has kept me free of symptoms for almost 5 yrs now. I tell everyone food is the cure to all the ails you. Come on over and let me fix you a bowl of soup with a big glass of Milk!
ValerieH says
I wish I had someone give me such advice at that age. I wish I had gotten Nourishing Traditions when it came out in 1999. I was pregnant with my first child. I might not have been able to find a farmer back then, but I would have chosen better first foods.