Bam-Bam was a very strong primitive child.
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Robb Wolf posted on the question of paleolithic nutrition and children. One question that I get a lot from those that are just starting out on paleo is whether they will be or are getting enough vitamins and minerals. My first answer is always, "Did you ever concern yourself with adequate vitamin and mineral intake on your diet of processed foods, grains, and sugar? So why now?"
In any case, it is a valid question and becomes even more so when the idea of children eating ancestrally comes into play. Every one wants to know if their kids will become deficient and sick because they aren't getting whole grains and milk. Robb Wolf discusses this very topic and even provides research articles. Understand that paleolithic nutrition is not necessarily low carb by nature. It is more associated with real, raw foods that come from sources that are sustainable. It is the adult that must take into consideration how much carbohydrate he/she desires to eat in order to meet their goals. Children on the other hand, carbohydrate amount is less important as long as the quality of the carbohydrate is high. Organic fruits and vegetables only but as much as they want.
Read Robb's post and make the decision for yourself. Should you be worried about the outcomes of eliminating dairy, grain, and legumes from your kids' diets? I didn't put processed foods because hopefully that is not a staple in their diets currently. You are the parent, you ultimately decide what they eat in the beginning and the shape of how their minds develop in regards to nutrition. You can't always control what they eat when they are away from you and that is all the more reason to provide a healthy nutritional environment when they are around you.
Don't make it strict as if they are adults. Make it fun and educational. Provide an environment where they're intrigued and interested in how you eat. Make them wonder. Have you ever asked a kid (yours or not) who has been to a CrossFit gym and seen everyone workout if they would like to do CrossFit Kids? They want to so bad that they will ask you over and over until it becomes a reality. Do the same for nutrition in your household. Involve them. Show them the difference. Explain to them, in their own words, why. Provide a house chock full of chopped up fruits and veggies. Always have beef, chicken, and egg snacks available such as reheat-able Rubbermaid containers with last night's left-overs, hard boiled eggs, crock potted chicken, beef jerky, etc. Provide avocado slices, roasted macadamias, sun butter, almond butter, etc. And keep all the unwanted stuff in the grocery store.
If they are used to eating a certain way, you may get a little hold-out but they'll come around. Look at Dave and his daughter. Apparently she loves egg cupcakes. I just tried them and I'm thinking, who wouldn't love these things? I introduced Damian to roasted Kale and he loves it so much. Show them how to eat a red bell pepper like an apple and I bet sooner or later they will be doing the same. They wanna copy you so provide a solid source of copying.
Kids, Paleo and Nutrient Density, by Robb Wolf
In any case, it is a valid question and becomes even more so when the idea of children eating ancestrally comes into play. Every one wants to know if their kids will become deficient and sick because they aren't getting whole grains and milk. Robb Wolf discusses this very topic and even provides research articles. Understand that paleolithic nutrition is not necessarily low carb by nature. It is more associated with real, raw foods that come from sources that are sustainable. It is the adult that must take into consideration how much carbohydrate he/she desires to eat in order to meet their goals. Children on the other hand, carbohydrate amount is less important as long as the quality of the carbohydrate is high. Organic fruits and vegetables only but as much as they want.
Read Robb's post and make the decision for yourself. Should you be worried about the outcomes of eliminating dairy, grain, and legumes from your kids' diets? I didn't put processed foods because hopefully that is not a staple in their diets currently. You are the parent, you ultimately decide what they eat in the beginning and the shape of how their minds develop in regards to nutrition. You can't always control what they eat when they are away from you and that is all the more reason to provide a healthy nutritional environment when they are around you.
Don't make it strict as if they are adults. Make it fun and educational. Provide an environment where they're intrigued and interested in how you eat. Make them wonder. Have you ever asked a kid (yours or not) who has been to a CrossFit gym and seen everyone workout if they would like to do CrossFit Kids? They want to so bad that they will ask you over and over until it becomes a reality. Do the same for nutrition in your household. Involve them. Show them the difference. Explain to them, in their own words, why. Provide a house chock full of chopped up fruits and veggies. Always have beef, chicken, and egg snacks available such as reheat-able Rubbermaid containers with last night's left-overs, hard boiled eggs, crock potted chicken, beef jerky, etc. Provide avocado slices, roasted macadamias, sun butter, almond butter, etc. And keep all the unwanted stuff in the grocery store.
If they are used to eating a certain way, you may get a little hold-out but they'll come around. Look at Dave and his daughter. Apparently she loves egg cupcakes. I just tried them and I'm thinking, who wouldn't love these things? I introduced Damian to roasted Kale and he loves it so much. Show them how to eat a red bell pepper like an apple and I bet sooner or later they will be doing the same. They wanna copy you so provide a solid source of copying.
Kids, Paleo and Nutrient Density, by Robb Wolf
1 comment:
I think the tough part is making the transition - if the house has been full of biscuits, sandwiches and the likes - it's tough explaining to a child why these are no longer available. Personally, I think it's good to have paleo introduced to children. I don't think I'd stop them from enjoying meals with their friends on birthday parties or something like that though. It's part of an education, but I wouldn't want them to miss out on important social experiences this early on in life. They'd be eating healthy 90% of the time anyway - at home.
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