As a parent, the decisions you need to make can feel overwhelming and endless. Should you go with standard preschool, or is Montessori a better option? Is your pediatrician a good fit for your child, or do you need to shop around? Luckily, when it comes to feeding your little one, some decisions are easy. You know that you want your kiddo to eat food as close to the way nature intended as possible, without loading their systems with preservatives or artificial flavorings. It’s clear that organic food for kids is the way to go.
Since a child’s body is so much smaller than that of an adult, they’re exposed to higher levels of toxic chemicals than an adult when they eat conventionally produced foods. Pair that with the fact that their immune system is still developing, and it’s easy to realize that babies are incredibly vulnerable to pesticides and other chemicals. Babies and young children are also more likely than adults to eat a larger amount of certain foods that are typically loaded with pesticides, such as apples, grapes, strawberries, and carrots. Studies show that a child’s body is not fully capable of metabolizing toxins until age seven, when their liver begins to mature. Heavy exposure to pesticides before this age can be especially dangerous.
When fruits and vegetables are grown organically, they’re forced to fight off bugs and disease on their own, without the help of chemicals. This changes the nutritional makeup of the plant. Organic fruits and vegetables have higher levels of vitamin C and antioxidants than conventionally grown produce. Organic farms tend to stress crop rotation, which means that they do not over farm their soil. Crop rotation allows soil to recoup minerals it loses during growing seasons. This means that soils do not become depleted of nutrients as they do in conventional farming practices. When soils are nutrient rich, foods are nutrient rich as well.
For moms and dads, there’s nothing that’s more heartbreaking than a sick child. Even worse? When the antibiotics that the pediatrician gives your kiddo don’t do the job. This unfortunate scenario is happening more and more often. Conventionally produced meats in the United States often come from animals who have been given antibiotics in order to speed their growth ward off diseases likely to come as a result of their living conditions. When children eat meats from animals who have been fed a steady supply of antibiotics, the child ingests the antibiotics as well. This can lead to their body becoming resistant to the antibiotics they get from the doctor when they’re sick, resulting in longer recovery time and higher doses of medicine.
Studies have shown that children born to women who work in conventional agriculture and are exposed to pesticides during their pregnancies tend to have lower IQ scores. It’s important that we as a society demand safer working conditions for farm workers. The best way to vote? With your money.
You already know that your kids deserve the best in life- food is no exception. When you choose Yummy Spoonfuls, you’re choosing the best. Meeting your kid’s nutritional needs in a delicious way isn’t always easy, and you’re doing a great job!
