Today I want to talk about the unnatural growth that occurs in many children as a direct result of the intake of antibiotics, steroids, and chemicals that are ingested through our modern food supply.
Too fast…too soon?!
I have been observing this phenomenon over the last ten years. At first I was quite shocked to encounter seven year olds with not only prepubescent signs, such as an over-developed body, but also with the attitudes of preteens! This is not a new phenomenon and has already been widely documented in many medical journals, such as MedlinePlus and The New England Journal of Medicine. However, if I was a mother, I’d be quite disturbed by this because the known long-term effects of such rapid growth in young girls and boys is alarming. Puberty, by the way, starts for girls on average in between ages 8 – 13, and in boys between ages 9 – 14.
An article from WebMD states that, “Many experts say that, on average, puberty is starting earlier in the U.S. than it did in the past. The average age of menstruation has stayed roughly the same. Yet studies suggest that early signs — like breast development — are happening a year earlier than they did decades ago.” One of the reasons for this rapid growth in girls is an increase in obesity – hence accelerating the growth of the fatty tissues of the breasts. This, I’m afraid, will put these young ladies at a greater risk for breast cancer and other types of cancers down the line. This has been confirmed by the experts already!
Here are just a few other known side effects:
-
Eating disorders
-
Depression and Anxiety
-
Substance use and abuse
-
Self-harm
-
Overall poorer mental health
-
Young pregnancy
What surprised me, while doing the research for this post, is that there’s not a whole lot of talk about a dietary approach as a form of prevention of these issues! Dr. Greene does talk about it in the second article down below. However, there needs to be more talk about diet in regards to these issues! The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) addresses the issue of healthy kids on a plant-based diet by saying, “Children raised on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes grow up to be slimmer and healthier and even live longer than their meat-eating friends,” while “children who acquire a taste for chicken nuggets, roast beef, and French fries today are the cancer patients, heart patients, and diabetes patients of tomorrow.” However, as important as it is to look at what the child is eating, we must also address what they are drinking. From a young age, I was personally addicted to soda. As much as I hate to admit it, I drank a lot of it and my parents didn’t stop me! I wish they had offered me other alternatives such as water with cucumber or orange slices. Another issue, I’ve touched many times before is the problem with dairy! Dr. McDougall writes,
“Cows milk is often polluted with other harmful microorganisms as well, such as those that cause salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, and a number of viral infections. Some of the more sinister viruses found in cow’s milk are bovine leukemia and bovine AIDS viruses. Over half of the dairy cows in this country are infected with these viruses. The leukemia viruses are transmittable under laboratory conditions to other species, like chimpanzees, who then develop leukemia. The incidence of human leukemia worldwide is in direct proportion to the amount of dairy products consumed.”
Dr. Benjamin Spock
Dr. Spock, the world famous pediatrician, even gives this advice, “We now know that there are harmful effects of a meaty diet…Children can get plenty of protein and iron from vegetable, beans, and other plant foods that avoid fat and cholesterol that are in animal products.” About dairy foods, he has this to say, “I no longer recommend dairy products after the age of two years. Other calcium sources offer many advantages that dairy products do not have.”
I know from friends with children that switching to a plant-based diet is indeed not only possible, but something that the whole family comes to greatly enjoy! Sure, it might take a bit of adjustment at first, but that’s the same thing with anything that may be new! Growing children need vitamins B12 and calcium. These can be find in many fortified plant milks, such as oat or almond milk. Calcium can be found in green vegetables, such as kale, mustard greens, beans, peas, lentils, sweet potatoes, collards, and Swiss chard. Iron is another crucial component of a healthy child’s development and can be found in black beans, lima beans, red kidney beans, broccoli, spinach, potatoes, split peas, rice, kale, walnuts, raisins, and sesame seeds. The best way for iron absorption (also for adults) is to pair with fruits high in vitamin C. PCRM recommends a higher fat intake for younger children in the form of nuts, avocados, soybeans, and oatmeal!
Healthy Eating Begins at Home!
Preparing a homemade school lunch and snacks every day for your child does not have to be all that difficult, while at the same time making one for yourself! Here are some lunch ideas:
-
Hummus sandwich on whole-wheat bread with lettuce and tomato, apple juice, and orange wedges
-
Veggie wrap with hummus, lettuce, and carrot. Apple slices and pretzels.
-
Veggie soup, whole-grain crackers, carrot sticks, and a banana.
Snack suggestions:
-
Hummus and crackers
-
Trail mix
-
Strawberries and almond milk
-
Banana and Graham crackers
-
Fruit Salad
