Sadly, parents often think that rice cereal is the first food to introduce to a baby. Dr. David Ludwig of Children's Hospital Boston, a specialist in pediatric nutrition, says some studies suggest rice and other highly processed grain cereals actually could be among the worst foods for infants. Babies don't even produce the enzyme amylase, which is the essential enzyme for breaking down starch. The baby's small intestine basically only produces one enzyme for starch, lactase; which is for the digestion of lactose. Feeding grains too early will cause food allergies later on in life because the protein in the grains sit in the stomach too long. This will cause the baby to have acid reflux.
SO, parents desperately go to the doctor for help; most likely putting the baby on acid blockers. This is the WORST thing to do because the stomach is a very acid environment with a pH at 2 or less. Stomach acid is essential for to absorb vitamin B-12 and minerals that allow you to release hormones from the pancreas, without which can lead to development of diabetes.
Stomach acid also helps breakdown protein. When you don't have stomach acid to breakdown food, undigested proteins sit like a rock in the intestines. This slowly eats holes in your intestines and this inflammation begins a detrimental snowball effect. When you start to have holes in your intestines, food starts to leak into your bloodstream (leading to leaky gut syndrome). This is awful because the immune system goes into overdrive to kill the unknown substances in the blood...NOW we have food allergies! So if you are feeding the baby grains and cow's milk, they will most likely develop a wheat and dairy allergy...oh boy!
If you have a child or YOU are suffering from acid reflux, click HERE for natural supplements to heal your gut. Please contact me for a consult for additional help!
There has recently been a 16X increase in the use of acid reflux medicine in infants. Even though a study showed that there was no difference in infants from a placebo! When families eliminate common allergen such as dairy, soy and wheat from the baby's and breastfeeding mother's diet, by day 3 or 4 the infants no longer suffer from acid reflux. This means a total elimination! Not just the 80/20 rule. It takes a lot of commitment by the family, but it is well worth the effort.
Milk based formulas often cause allergies while soy based formulas contain growth inhibitors, mineral blocking phytic acid, and plant forms of estrogens that has adverse effects on hormonal development. Soy formula is also devoid of cholesterol which is essential for the brain (our brains are 60% cholesterol!) and nervous system.
To read more, click HERE.
If you are interested, I have an online class called "HEALTHY FAMILY." To watch this helpful class, please email me at mariamindbodyhealth@gmail.com
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup chicken or veggie broth
4 cups cauliflower, into rice
3 TBS butter or coconut oil
3 onions, sliced
1 TBS Truvia (or Just Like Brown Sugar)
1/2 cup cranberries
2/3 cup fresh sliced mushrooms
1/2 tsp orange zest
Celtic sea salt and pepper to taste
Rice: Place cauliflower flowerettes in a food processor (click HERE to find the one I love on sale for $30!). Pulse until small pieces of "rice." Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
In medium skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onions and Truvia. Saute until butter is absorbed and onions are translucent and soft. Reduce heat, and cook onions for another 20 minutes, until they are caramelized. Stir cranberries and mushrooms into the skillet. Cover, and cook 10 minutes or until berries start to swell. Add in the cauliflower rice and broth to simmer until cauliflower is tender (about 5 minutes). Stir in almonds and orange zest. Salt and pepper to taste. Makes 6 servings.
NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
Traditional Harvest Rice = 273 calories, 11g fat, 5g protein, 42 carbs, 4.4g fiber
"Healthified" Harvest Rice = 153 calories, 10g fat, 5.6g protein, 11.9 carbs, 4g fiber
