Green Child Magazine Spring 2014 | Page 75

Nicole removed products with artificial ingredients from the family’s diet. She and her husband bought less processed foods and prepared more at home. “I received a call from his homeroom teacher praising John’s behavior; he was doing much better following directions and not interrupting. We had never received feedback like that. The only thing we changed was our food.” Following a fad diet on a whim could have negative consequences for your child’s growth and functioning. “It’s important to understand the impact fads have on your own food choices,” Allison Beadle, MS, RD, LD told the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics members at the 2013 Food and Nutrition Conference. “They are often shrouded in emotions and are heavily marketed.” If your family already follows a healthy diet and they aren’t experiencing adverse symptoms associated with eating, altering their diet is not worth the headache or additional expense just because it’s what everyone else is doing. Yet there are also situations where it might be appropriate. If gastrointestinal issues are present or your child is struggling with behavior and focus, it may be worth a trial on a special diet, temporarily omitting the problem food to see if you notice improvements. If you aren’t sure whether your child is intolerant or truly allergic to a certain food, seek out testing from an allergist. Guidance from a dietitian may also be helpful to ensure he receives adequate nutrition to support his growth. Introducing WellBelly™ by WellFuture™ makers of VacciShield™ Give your baby better belly biotics with WellBelly ■ Naturally resto restores digestive balan balance ■ Suppor Supports healthy immune system ■ On Only contains probiotics well tolerated by infants & kids tol ™ www.wellfuture.com 75