Parents: Pack a Meal That Won’t Upset Junior’s Tummy!
I have some great advice for parents trying to manage their child’s heartburn.
When your child is at school, you have little to no control over what he or she is eating. All too often, school cafeterias churn out nutritionally-empty, calorie-dense, high-fat, fried foods. Not only does this set children on the path to obesity, but those fatty and fried foods can cause serious discomfort and pose health risks to those with GERD.
Parents: Treat GERD as seriously as you would any other digestive disorder! Any incidence of GERD leads to irritation of the esophagus. Repeated irritation and refluxing can lead to some very scary health issues (including asthma and a much higher risk of developing esophageal cancer).
The article that I’ve linked to at the bottom of this post gives some great ideas for how to pack a lunch that is unlikely to cause reflux. The suggestions - whole grains, fruits, veggies, cut out every possible bit of saturated fat - won’t only help reflux, but also help prevent weight gain. It’s a great idea to start children on the path to healthy eating as early as possible!
Something to note that the linked article failed to mention: tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, bananas, and most citrus fruits are prime culprits for causing reflux. Most likely, the health risks posed by GERD outweigh the benefits, so stick with safer, less-acidic fruits and veggies, such as apples, grapes, and strawberries.
I’d also like to point out that these tips would of course work equally well for an adult. If your only options at work are fatty or unhealthy foods, spend the extra 5 minutes in the morning to pack a lunch for yourself. Once you get into the habit, you’ll feel better and you’ll probably have a few extra dollars in your wallet!
Please share your own tips for packing a healthy, acid-free lunch!
Source: Heartburn-Free Lunches (external links will open in a new window)
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March 17th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
we don’t need packed lunches in the UK now, we’ve got Jamie Oliver! (celebrity chef who has transformed school meals).
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March 17th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
I thought cucumber is good in fighting fats?
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March 17th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
No doubt cucumbers are good for you, but since they do tend to increase acid production, it’s best to find another healthy alternative that won’t aggravate the GERD. There are so many mild fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that you can safely add to your diet instead.
March 19th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Kids today should be eating a lot more garlic and hot peppers. I only wish my mother had fed me more when I was young.
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March 19th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
March 23rd, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Thanks for contributing this post to this week’s Carnival of Family Life hosted at Beauty and Personal Grooming! Be sure to check out the other wonderful entries this week! And if you would like to host a future edition of the Carnival, you can check out the schedule here and then let me know the week you are interested in.
Have a wonderful Sunday — and Easter (if you are celebrating)!
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March 23rd, 2008 at 7:45 pm
GLUTEN IS THE RUIN OF HUMANITY or at least their bodies! That’s my opinion anyway. I am biased. The more gluten people can cut out of their kids diet, the better. The body can’t process this gooey plant substance in wheat, barley, rye (all white flour products). [Corn and rice flour products are OK — hence why Asians are so thin.] White flour is put in practically everything now as filler, thickener, and as an adhesive, it is even in soy sauce and ice cream! There are of course all the standard items of white flour: pastries, breads, pastas, pizza, and so on. Look at the ingredients. The sooner people cut out gluten products, the sooner they will lose weight and become healthier.
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