I'm a child psychologist and parent educator. My ChildSightTools® courses help parents see through kids eyes. Sign up for my weekly Newsletter!
Food can be your kids' friend
WHAT HELPS
Why I Recommend Nutrition
Hi Reader,
Hello, again!
It can take a long time -- and courage -- to call a child mental health provider. When you do, you're expecting, like, evaluation or therapy.
A nutrition referral may be the last thing you'd expect.
For me, there's a dividing line down the middle of my career - before I grasped the power of food, and after. Now I refer at least a third of my kiddos for nutritional evals.
Here are 3 basic reasons why.
Food is natural.
When young kids are having big troubles, meds may be mentioned.
Sometimes medications are really needed and really help. But they often throw off kids' metabolisms and appetites and cause side effects.
The way I see it, I'm failing to look at the whole child if I only think of the head.
Food can do things therapy can't.
The power of food is humbling.
Once I worked in vain for weeks to curb a child's aggression. A nutritional tweak made the breakthrough. That day I learned -- psychology is not enough.
Mental health interventions are "on the outside" of a child's body. Food affects the insides of cells within the body, moment to moment.
Food can be life-changing.
I used to diagnose ADHD a lot.
Now, I wonder how food changes may help before I even think about it.
The right foods for a child -- at the right times and in the right combinations -- can balance the brain and body.
Symptoms of ADHD, anxiety and depression can abate with food changes.
I have seen:
- Aggression decline, self-control rise.
- Impulsivity fall, focus build.
- Anxiety subside, falling asleep ease.
- Moodiness wane, happiness grow.
Sounds like a lot work? I hear ya. You'd prefer a root canal to making food changes. It's effortful.
So are massive ill-timed blowups, mid-day school pick-ups, ruined playdates, etc.
Food is my friend because it helps me help the kids.
Nutrition is a big component of the ChildSightTools approach. But it's not my field, so I always refer. Learn about my favorite nutritionist here.
Thanks for reading!
And remember ... Looking through your child's eyes changes everything.
Cheers!
Dr. Beth
What are your thoughts? Hit reply or email Beth@DrBethKids.com.
Let's connect! You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Got this from a friend? Get the newsletter yourself!
| Subscribe here. |
Hi, I'm Dr. Beth Onufrak!
I'm a child psychologist and parent educator. My ChildSightTools® courses help parents see through kids eyes. Sign up for my weekly Newsletter!
PARENTING PEACE Shed the Stress of Holiday Prep Hello again! Feel like you're sinking in holiday stress? This wonderful time of year can feel quite un-wonderful. Time pressure, planning, gift-getting. If you're feeling more dread than delight, you are not alone. My ChildSightTools® advice is always from the child's point of view. But this post is from yours. Why? Because your stress seeps into them ... doubling your load. Here are some ways to reduce the Stress of the Season with mantras....
GOOD DIRECTIONS 3 Ways to Help Separation Anxiety Hi there! Your little one (or one who's "getting too big for this") is clinging to you for dear life. Soaked with tears, your shirt is stuck to your neck. Fist-pulled and wrinkled, your shirt tells the tale of their desperation. Saying "You'll be fine, it'll be okay" only supercharges the tears. Have you been here? Panic and refusal may appear the same in different kids with separation anxiety. But the reasons may be worlds apart. Separation...
CHOICE POINTS So, now they hate you? Really?! Hello, again! "Did you get that newsletter?" I ask. Today's issue is among those I reach for the most. The "I Hate You" moment is common and so painful. Sharing this newsletter is the quickest way to help parents in my care. Here it is again, if you weren't with me back in April. No doubt, this is a nasty moment. Your lovey says “I hate you.” If you've already lost it, so be it! You're human. We cannot always choose our first response. But we can...