Over the years of treating many clients children and spending time in Kindergartens, playgroups and school with my own children I regularly hear parents discussing their children’s health or behavioural issues they have with their children…
Do these sound familiar to you?
“MY CHILD HAS PROBLEMS WITH BEDWETTING”
“MY CHILD HAS PROBLEMS WITH ECZEMA”
“MY CHILD HAS PROBLEMS WITH ASTHMA”
“MY CHILD HAS LEARNING DIFFICULTIES”
“MY CHILD STRUGGLES WITH SITTING STILL OR PAYING ATTENTION”
“MY CHILD DISPLAY’S REGULAR DEFIANT BEHAVIOUR”
“MY CHILD MISBEHAVE’S REGULARLY”
“MY CHILD SUFFERS FROM HYPERACTIVITY”
“MY CHILD HAS DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS SUCH AS DIARRHOEA AND/OR CONSTIPATION”
It may not be their fault. It might actually be the fault of the artificial colours, flavours and preservatives in their diet. There is a body of evidence suggesting learning and behavioural disorders can be exacerbated by artificial additives in food. Many parents of children with learning or behaviour issues suspect that their child is reacting to something in their diet, but are confused about where to start. The best place to start is to become informed about which additives are best avoided.
The Southampton study which examined the effect of artificial additives on “normal” children found that as many as 70% have a behavioural reaction once they consume a food containing these additives. A quick search of Google Scholar will give you many results displaying the evidence that children’s behaviour is affected by artificial additives and their withdrawal leads to improved behaviour outcomes.
Here is a list of additives which are best avoided:
COLOURS: 102, 104, 110, 122, 123, 124, 127, 129, 132, 133, 142, 143, 151, 155, natural colour 160b (annatto)
PRESERVATIVES: Sorbates 200-203 Benzoates 210-219 Sulphites 220-228 Nitrates, Nitrites 249-252 Propionates 280-283
SYNTHETIC ANTIOXIDANTS: Gallates 310-312 TBHQ, BHA, BHT 319-321
FLAVOUR ENHANCERS: Glutamates incl MSG 620-625 Ribonucleotides 627, 631, 635 Hydrolysed Vegetable Protein (HVP)
ALL ARTIFICIAL FLAVOURS
Unfortunately with most children, additives are an all-or-nothing. One additive exposure can take up to 3 days for the child to stop reacting to. 100% avoidance is key to seeing improvements.
If you feel that you need support with making the transition to additive-free living, I have an additive-free mentoring service available where I support you through your additive-free journey – clean out your pantry, fridge, and freezer and go shopping with you. Help you design meal planners based on your family’s dietary requirements and preferences. Then am available to answer all the questions that arise for the next month.
Please feel free to contact me at naturopathiclifecoach@gmail.com to discuss this further. As I am a qualified Naturopath, private health rebates may apply.
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