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Feeding Your Infant: Tips & Tricks for the First Six Months

Parenting is…
I’m going to let you “fill in the blank” with this sentence because it seems that every parent has an individual and usually quite distinct version of the “correct” answer. It does make sense for each parent to receive a different parenting experience because no child is the same. However, this in no way means that the basic process of child-rearing should be restricted to a single method. Nowadays, many new parents are faced with the dilemma of whether they should breastfeed or use baby formula. If you’re one of these parents, let me point out one small, but very monumental fact…babies are expensive. Therefore, why extend the extra money each month for synthetic baby formula when natural breast milk surpasses all products available in every single category?

It used to be commonplace for parents to feed their children natural and unprocessed foods during every stage of life. Unfortunately, we have reached a point where society has simplified food products to such an extreme level that many processed foods now contain more synthetic ingredients than they do real ingredients.

“The process of modifying cow milk for large-scale production in the 1920s represented the birth of the infant formula industry. Since then new ingredients have been added for a variety of reasons. For example, iron was added in 1959 to reduce the risk of iron deficiency in formula-fed infants (Fomon, 1993), and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) were recently added in an effort to improve infant visual and cognitive development…When considering new ingredients, manufacturers analyze every step in the production process, including materials (availability, source, and purity), processing methods, packaging, storage conditions and shelf life, methods of home preparation, and potential for misuse…These considerations continue today as manufacturers attempt to alter infant formulas to imitate human milk in either composition or performance and to address the nutritional needs of specific infant populations (e.g., those with cow-milk allergy, metabolic abnormalities, and prematurity) (Benson and Masor, 1994)” (Institute of Medicine (US); ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). For all source information, please see the end of the article for a detailed list.

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Translation: You may be consuming more chemicals on a daily basis than you are real food ingredients. Frightening, I know. For new parents, this disturbing reality is enough to spark a minor panic attack in even the least informed moms and dads. It is scary to think that all of the effort you’ve already extended may not be benefitting your child’s growth and development as much as you had previously hoped.

I get it, this is a new chapter in your life and caring for a fragile human being is no easy feat! Plus, you’re probably seriously sleep deprived so extending any extra effort in your daily routine is going to sound impossible. However, whether you are an experienced parent with multiple children or a complete novice with baby number one, your child’s nutritional standard should never be sacrificed for the sake of convenience in the kitchen. This applies to every stage of your child’s life, of course, but in this article I am going to focus specifically on the first six months of a baby’s diet regimen.

Step One: the milk phase. A hundred years ago, this phase was pretty cut and dry. Breast milk was your only option and because the female human body is well equipped to create the best quality breast milk for a new born baby, it has always remained the perfect option.

That is, until baby formula was created to bring convenience and simplicity to the average parent’s method for adequately caring for their child. Whenever I’m at the grocery store and I see a Mom or Dad purchasing this product, I cringe inside because I have read the ingredient labels for every brand. Even though the appearance of each label displays a multitude of differences, every product is composed of the same synthetically derived ingredients.

Baby formula is essentially designed to fill the void that human breast milk is supposed to satisfy. Therefore, it is filled with an impressive list of synthetically derived vitamins meant to promote healthy growth during the stage where the human body needs it most. If I didn’t know any better I would probably think, “Wow, my kid is getting some great nutrients from this stuff! Who knew powdered milk could be so beneficial?!” Obviously, this thought has never and will never enter my mind! But it has entered the minds of many other parents who are simply trying to care for their children, but are unaware of the true damage this product will cause.

Society has kept a large portion of the population in the dark on what should constitute a healthy ingredient. Newton’s Third Law states, “For every action, there is an equal opposite reaction” (The Physics Classroom). Society acted by promoting the idea that synthetically derived foods can be healthy if containing the right synthetic ingredients and we reacted by wholeheartedly believing these lies, purchasing synthetically derived foods more often than naturally derived foods, and began the depletion of our total-body health without even realizing it. I was never great at physics, but WOW did we fall for their false propaganda or what??? And now our reaction is creating an abundance of problems in every area of life, most especially our understanding of healthy and unhealthy products.

“Historically one approach to match human-milk composition is to add new ingredients (see Appendix B for the composition of formulas and human milk). This turns out to be a quixotic quest since human milk is a complex body fluid that is variable not only among individuals, but within an individual over time. In addition, it contains components, such as live cells and bioactive compounds, that either cannot be added to formulas or cannot survive a shelf life. Finally, not all human-milk constituents are essential; some, like LC-PUFAs, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and arachidonic acid (ARA), can be synthesized by term and preterm infants born at 33 weeks gestation (Uauy et al., 2000)” (Institute of Medicine (US); ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

Take, for example, our understanding of the concept of good and bad vitamins. Some people don’t realize that synthetically derived vitamins do NOT help bodily function; they act as interrupting factors because the human body is not supposed to consume synthetic vitamin sources when naturally derived sources are available. It can be the most expensive synthetic vitamin available on the market; it will not make a difference because, at the end of the day, the product was composed in a laboratory from chemicals. Once ingested, your body begins a process of sending this foreign element to a variety of different places, but it is always rejected.

“Manufacturers who wish to add some, but not all ingredients found in human milk may defeat the purpose of the added nutrients or may potentiate negative interactions. Examples include the deleterious effect on growth when eicosapentaenoic acid is added without adequate DHA (Carlson et al., 1996) and the potential negative effect of adding polyunsaturated fats and large amounts of iron without adding adequate antioxidants (Halliwell and Chirico, 1993; McCord, 1996)…For many nutrients that do not interact chemically or compete for enzymatic or receptor binding sites, the relative amounts may not be important. However in situations where there is competition for enzymes (e.g., among n-3 and n-6 PUFAs) (Brenner, 1974) or receptor binding sites in the intestine (e.g., for zinc, iron, and copper), the relative proportions may have biological significance” (Institute of Medicine (US); ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

What happens next? Well, sometimes your body just rejects it altogether through your urine, stool, sweat, pores, etc. In some cases, your body will decide to hold onto the foreigner travelling around in your system. Heavy metals are an excellent example of those bad elements that your body will accumulate instead of rejecting. I don’t know why this happens, but the accumulation of heavy metals within your cells is something that can take place for years without you even realizing that it is happening. Sooner or later though, you will begin to notice the presence of heavy metals usually in the form of an illness. Epilepsy, for example, is commonly caused by an over abundance of heavy metals. As you’ve probably already realized, you do not want to wait until later to discover if you are indeed ill. I speak from experience here and I guarantee that your moment of discovery will be neither convenient nor will it be ideal for you, because that is the way life always seems to work when it comes to the unveiling of a serious medical condition. I was fifteen years old, in the middle of my spring break, and sleeping over at a friend’s house when my first seizure took place…not exactly opportune for something like that to occur and I would say that I am very lucky I was not injured due to the circumstances.

My point here is that synthetically derived vitamins are what your baby will be consuming if you choose the formula route. Who wants the substitute product for their child if the original is available??? Don’t settle for second best.

Breast feeding or using a breast pump may require more effort than mixing a scoop of powdered formula with some water, but it is ultimately the best decision you will ever make for your child’s long-term health. For starters, during the pregnancy stage the female human body spends nine months (give or take a few weeks) preparing milk that is packed full of natural vitamins, nutrients, anti-bodies, probiotics, and other helpful elements that will help nurture a newborn baby through those first couple of months by laying a superior foundation necessary for proper function throughout his or her entire life.

Breastfeeding isn’t simply a preference for how to feed your baby, it is a crucial first step in preparing your baby’s body for the rest of his or her life. So many parents are concerned about buying the right stroller and choosing the safest toys, but the best way to protect your baby begins with the diet you choose for him or her.
I understand that certain circumstances can prevent some parents from feeding their babies milk. A dairy allergy, for example, will make any mom reach for the soy-based baby formula as quickly as she can. However, there are still better alternatives to breast milk and cow’s milk than baby formula!

In most cases, health experts will recommend a “nutrient-dense” baby formula as an ideal alternative to breast milk. However, I disagree. Baby formula will only appear to be the next best option from a superficial perspective. As long as one does not delve too deep into the foundational details of a formula product, s/he will be easily fooled by the “healthy” façade. Ignorance is not bliss in this situation, therefore, I highly recommend every parent remove their rose-colored glasses and see this product for what it truly is…a very poor substitute for breast milk.

Take the impressive list of vitamins and minerals found on nearly every canister of the majority of brands of baby formula. Potassium, Manganese, Magnesium, Calcium, Zinc, and Selenium are just a few of the names you’ll find included in this list. When derived from natural sources, these vitamins and minerals can be very beneficial for the human body. If you ask any baby formula brand if their product’s nutritional qualities have been derived from natural sources, the answer is most likely going to be “No” because synthetic sources are a heck of a whole lot cheaper and easier to attain!

The focus on quality has been lost over the years…the concern is no longer for the well-being of the consumer, it is for the well-being of the manufacturer. Even corporations that are willing to spend a bit more for a healthier, organic product still remain prone to choosing synthetic ingredients over natural ingredients.

At the end of the day, the only “green” they care about is going into their pockets instead of their product. And we, the consumer, are the ones suffering from these decisions concerning product quality. So, even though formula may be the easier choice in the moment, it will always fail to help build the crucial nutritional foundation your baby desperately needs in order to function properly as a toddler, a young adult, and (eventually) as a grown adult.

This perspective changes things a bit, doesn’t it? My hope is that it helps all of you parents out there to think twice before automatically supporting the formula industry. Truthfully, we’ve all been there, but whether you’re wearing the title of “Mom” or “Dad” (maybe both for all of the single parents out there) just put the formula canister back where you got it from and back away slowly. This is literally the best advice I can give to any parent debating using formula as an alternative to breast milk.

The unfortunate reality of those months of preparation is that things don’t always go according to the plans we make. For example, a mother’s milk may not “come in” completely, leaving any parent with a stressful dilemma: a hungry baby. And like most adults, hunger makes for a very grumpy little human being. An ideal solution for this problem in the past was a wet nurse. You could hire someone with the proper resources to come in and feed your baby for you…on paper this is a simple solution. However, babies are already expensive enough on their own and hiring a wet nurse is not an option for the majority of parents.

Plus, I feel like using another person to feed your baby takes away from the special emotional bond that will form during the time you spend personally feeding your child. Whether it is Mom breast-feeding or Dad bottle-feeding, the intimacy of these moments will have a large impact upon the type of relationship you develop with your child. It is important not to dismiss this time as a waste of your own time, nothing can be more important than the attention and time you devote to your little ones.
So, since wet nurses are too expensive an option, detract from your relationship with your child, and no longer serve as a practical option…What do you do instead to avoid baby formula?

If you’ve read my blog before than you know how much I love the natural route of just about everything, especially food. Baby food is no exception! Babies are at a crucial step in their development process during the milk phase, therefore, choosing the right breast milk substitute is incredibly important and has a lot of potential to be either beneficial or detrimental to your child’s future health.

Here’s why: Dairy products are a prominent food group that is frequently prone to synthetic additives such as hormones and antibiotics, which is why finding a healthy product at the local grocery store can be such a challenge. Sometimes we may not even realize we’re purchasing an unhealthy product.

Take the “Vitamin D Additive” found in many milk products, it’s not a beneficial characteristic at all! It’s actually a synthetic additive that, once ingested, only creates problems for the human body. Most synthetically derived ingredients have been chemically engineered in a lab rather than collected from natural sources within nature. Because of this, our bodies aren’t sure what to do with these ingredients or where to send them. There is no appropriate location for these imposter ingredients because, truth be told, no human being should ever consume this kind of garbage.

During the digestion process, these synthetic ingredients really do get lost in translation because they are essentially composed of a foreign language breed of ingredients that have no proper place of “belonging” in the body. Unfortunately, these foreign ingredients are occasionally stored in the cells of our bodies when consumed. This is only one of the many reasons why they should be avoided in every stage of life, but most especially in the early years when key development is occurring on a daily basis. You can read more about ingredients and ingredient labels here.

So how do we avoid synthetic ingredients in the foods we feed our children when the majority of products being sold by our local grocers are full to the brim with these exact ingredients? We’re living in an age when reading an ingredient label is necessary to determine the true quality of a product. Personally, I’ve reached a point where I no longer buy the majority of my dairy products from a commercial vendor. Instead, I purchase Raw Dairy Products from a private farm where every product is guaranteed to be Organic, free from all additives, and derived from grass-fed animals (a very important detail for those of you with soy allergies and looking to avoid the soy feed commonly used as the “healthier” option by many companies).

***Side Note about Soy: “Soy-based formulas were developed for infants perceived to be intolerant of cow-milk protein. The first soy formulas were commercially available in 1929 (Abt, 1965). These formulas were made with soy flour and were not well accepted by parents, who complained of loose, malodorous stools, diaper rash, and stained clothing. In the mid-1960s isolated soy protein was introduced into formulas. These formulas were much more like milk-based formulas in appearance and acceptance. However the preparation of isolated soy protein resulted in the elimination of most of the vitamin K in the soy, and a few cases of vitamin K deficiency were reported. The occurrence of nutrient deficiencies in infants fed milk-free formulas contributed to the development of federal regulations concerning the nutrient content of formulas (Fomon, 1993). Soy formulas now account for about 40 percent of formula sales in the United States…Manufacturers who wish to add some, but not all, ingredients found in human milk may defeat the purpose of the added nutrients or may potentiate negative interactions. Examples include the deleterious effect on growth when eicosapentaenoic acid is added without adequate DHA (Carlson et al., 1996) and the potential negative effect of adding polyunsaturated fats and large amounts of iron without adding adequate antioxidants (Halliwell and Chirico, 1993; McCord, 1996)” (Institute of Medicine (US); ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

If you are interested in the private farm I mentioned above, please email me directly at Katie@seizethedayblog.com for more information.
Raw dairy products are, hands down, the best alternative to natural breast milk. Raw goat’s milk is the real hidden gem in this situation. The goat’s stomach and overall digestive system are the most similar to a human being’s. Therefore, their milk is easiest to digest.

“According to the Journal of American Medicine, ‘Goat’s milk is the most complete food known.’ It contains vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, trace elements, enzymes, protein, and fatty acids that are utilized by your body with ease. In fact, your body can digest goat’s milk in just 20 minutes. It takes 2-3 hours to digest cow’s milk” (ROSEOFSHARONACRES.COM).

Researchers have actually found that people who struggle to digest cow’s milk have slim to no trouble during the digestion process when consuming goat’s milk. This same difference also applies to babies and young children, as well. Cows do have four stomachs, after all, making cow’s milk quite the challenge to digest. The best way to describe goat’s milk is as the gentle alternative. Goat’s milk is both under-rated and under-appreciated because our society is so used to considering cows as the primary source and societal “norm” for dairy products.

“Americans have been ‘culturized & advertised’ into associating milk with cows when in fact, goat milk is far more healthy for humans” (Roseofsharonacres.com).

You can never completely plan for the future in a way that will make you fully equipped for every unexpected twist and turn that is “Life.” If this was possible, maybe I would have gotten a clue a whole lot sooner when I was first diagnosed with epilepsy instead of wasting my time going down numerous rabbit trails that weren’t helpful or healthy for my long-term state of health. Hindsight is always 20/20 and I am 100% sure that although I have learned a lot from my experience with epilepsy, I also have a lot of regret in my past. Whether it is the way I handled certain situations or the approach I chose to manage the challenges I faced thanks to my health there is and always will be a part of me that wishes I did “this” or “that” differently. One of these wishes is that I tried the holistic path immediately. I constantly wonder where I would be at this point in my life if I had. I am confident in the fact that I am exactly where I am meant to be, but I also do not want to see this same regret I have acquired to be a part of your journey as a parent.

It makes sense to feed your children foods that are from-scratch, Organic, and Non-GMO. Skip the baby food aisle altogether and visit the produce section instead. In this way, you can try and become equipped for some of the challenges that are parenthood in a nutshell. Take the milk problem, for example. It is excellent to have a “Plan B” in the back of your mind so that you aren’t scrambling to handle another challenging, but totally worth it, moment of parenthood.

Goat’s milk is your alternative to formula, but what about when your baby graduates to the soft food stage? Do you turn to jarred foods that are filled with preservatives, additives, and many other synthetic ingredients? Of course not!!!!
You get to know your basic fruits and vegetables again! By steaming or boiling veggies, you can easily reach a texture that is appropriate for babies. You can safely begin this stage after your child reaches 6 months of age. Prior to 6 months, it is recommended by health experts that your baby maintain a strict diet of milk.

Creating healthy, from-scratch meals for your baby can often seem like a daunting task. However, these meals are actually going to be considerably easier than the meals you cook for the rest of your family. You are going to be cooking a lot of steamed veggies, which means meal prep is going to be a breeze! You are definitely going to want to take advantage of the perk of meal prep.
Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, steamed carrots, steamed broccoli, bananas, and many other fruits and veggies are excellent options for homemade baby food.

I would even try to coordinate meals so that you’re not making what feels like 2 separate meals. For example, try planning side dishes like mashed potatoes or steamed carrots, maybe both for a more balanced meal if you happen to be serving a main dish such as chicken or another healthy protein. Though your baby may not yet be able to chew a more solid dish like chicken, if he or she is 6 months old your little one can certainly be fed the mashed potatoes and steamed carrots (mashed). This way you only have one meal to prepare instead of two. This is hands down the best part about moving on to the soft food stage…you no longer have to feed your baby a completely separate meal.

So what are you waiting for? Simplify already! The majority of what you eat, your baby can eat too, so long as it is properly prepared. Think minimal seasonings when you’re preparing those potatoes, carrots, or any other side dish.

“Cinnamon is generally regarded as safe to give to your baby in small amounts after they turn 6 months of age. Cinnamon doesn’t commonly cause an allergic reaction in children or adults. Heavy exposure to cinnamon can cause stomach upset, skin or mouth irritation, and possibly problems with bleeding due to decreased blood clotting. But a sprinkle of cinnamon on your baby’s food probably won’t cause a problem.
If your baby appears to have an allergic reaction to foods containing cinnamon, or they appear fussy and agitated after consuming cinnamon, call your doctor right away” (Healthline.com).

Being aware of those seasonings, such as cinnamon, is imperative for your child’s health, but the good news is there are few seasonings as inflammatory as cinnamon. Usually you can just going the minimalist route and simply sprinkle a little pink Himalayan salt for flavor. Your baby will probably prefer less seasoning anyway since a newborn’s palette is undeveloped. Basically, I’m trying to promote the convenience that is this form of baby food…it will always be the ideal route because it is simple and healthy. You can make a healthy, no-fuss meal for your baby that is 100% free of synthetic additives and it can be made using real ingredients. This is clean-eating at its finest. And the earlier you introduce clean foods into your baby’s diet, the better it is for his or her ability to develop that foundation, which will serve as a key component during the critical stage of growth that is the first six months and, if we’re being really honest with ourselves, the first twelve months.

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

SOURCES:

1. Enfamil Premium Infant Formula Powder – 12.5 oz: https://www.target.com/p/enfamil-premium-infant-formula-powder-12-5-oz/-/A-12849663?sid=1958S&ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Baby+Shopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Baby&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=1013549&gclid=CjwKCAjw4sLVBRAlEiwASblR-xSmAL2MNop2_N3IiYHWl2pxOqAShHgjDO_zEJRaBVcKnQoGJAsvuhoC_gkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
2. Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/can-babies-have-cinnamon
3. Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on the Evaluation of the Addition of Ingredients New to Infant Formula. Infant Formula: Evaluating the Safety of New Ingredients. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2004. 3, Comparing Infant Formulas with Human Milk.Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK215837/
4. Livestrong: https://www.livestrong.com/article/536769-when-do-babies-stop-jar-food/
5. The Physics Classroom (Newton’s Third Law): http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/newtlaws/Lesson-4/Newton-s-Third-Law
6. Rose of Sharon Acres: https://www.roseofsharonacres.com/raw_goat_milk_benefits

Sports Drinks vs. Green Juice: Go Green or Go Home

Often times, when a person thinks of activities such as going to the gym, playing sports, running, etc. he or she thinks about the energy required to accomplish said activity. This will typically bring a person’s train of thought to the source of this desired energy.

Society tells people that getting a good night’s sleep and drinking plenty of water throughout the entire day is a good starting point for a healthy amount of energy, but it’s not enough if you truly want to excel. You also need supplementary components, something that is readily available for the consumer and also requires his or her money. Does anyone else smell something fishy? Society has to benefit somehow for their efforts, don’t they? We’re not just talking about mere suggestions for the average Joe’s state of health anymore; frankly, I think that was thrown out the window quite some time ago. We’re talking about the #1 marketing platform (society) supporting ideas that not only benefit them, but they benefit groups of corporations and businesses, as well. When I see behavior like this taking place, it automatically sends up a red flag in my mind and it also makes me question the validity behind the statements they’re feeding us. More than anything, it makes me triple-check the true quality of whatever product they want us to buy. I’ve already been the consumer who wholeheartedly trusted everything the marketing teams pushed my way. I gave these teams the benefit of the doubt and accepted what they had to say as fact.

I figured there’s no way that a corporation like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would allow anything unhealthy or potentially harmful to be put into the food I eat. I’m going to let you in on a little secret I wished someone had told me years ago…question everything when it comes to the foods you purchase. Never expect food companies to choose healthy ingredients over unhealthy ingredients for the sake of the consumer. When it comes to the consumer, we’re only a concern of theirs until we purchase their product. The same is true for those companies selling energy-related products, most especially energy drinks. Here’s a little food for thought for all of my readers…how are supposed to expect these products to be healthy when the foundation of entire company is based on a lie? If honesty isn’t a key component in the heart of the manufacturer, it certainly isn’t going to be a key component in the products they so desperately want us to purchase. My advice? Ignore that mission statement provided by the company and focus on the ingredient labels. The ingredient label is your guide to understanding the true quality of any product.

First, you need to bypass all of the false advertising so that you can get a clear perspective on the real issues. Like anything in life this is easier said than done because we’re all fooled into believing the lie created by the food and beverage industry and promoted by society…we need a boost throughout the entire activity if we are to be successful in our endeavors. Their definition of a boost? Sports drinks, electrolyte infused water, and specialty powders to add to your water. The majority of companies producing these products go one step further in their efforts to convince each potential consumer of their need for these products…advertisements that include famous athletes. If you’re playing basketball, for example, and you have goals to become a serious athlete, why wouldn’t you use the same sports drink product endorsed by LeBron James? It might up your skills out there on the court if you do the same thing he’s doing! It doesn’t hurt to at least try his strategy, right? Plus they usually taste really good! This is where things get a bit confusing for the majority of consumers because the advertisements tell you these products are beneficial and healthy, but the entire makeup of the product disagrees! Reading the ingredient label of any product created for energy enhancement is key in discovering just how detrimental every product is for your overall health. For me, I always liked the bright colors these drinks were available in! Little did I know, I was being fooled by a preposterous social norm.

I’m here to tell you that society and their biased advertisements are wrong! Fueled by profits, the food industry hammers the idea into our heads that we can only get energy from these types of synthetic sources.

Oh, really? Well if that’s true than how is it possible that I have been able to get legitimate boosts of energy from natural sources that are also completely free of synthetic ingredients? I’m not trying to rain on anyone’s parade by saying this, I know so many people who use these synthetic sources for energy when they go to the gym. There was a time when I loved electrolyte infused water and wasn’t against a sports drink slushie. However, circumstances have drastically changed in my life over the past eights and, as a result, so have my eating habits. There was a time when reading the ingredient label on anything made me feel like I was trying to understand a language I couldn’t speak. As it turns out, the complicated names we see listed kind of are in a different language. They’re in the language of chemistry and science because the majority of these ingredients aren’t grown in the ground; scientists concoct them in a laboratory. Whenever I’m researching an ingredient name, there’s a part of me that is actually afraid of what this bazaar name actually contains. If ingredients like petroleum have snuck their way into our food, it could be anything! Discovering all of the dirty little secrets is part of taking charge of your health for the better.

Let’s examine the evidence, shall we?

 

Gatorade Original Thirst Quencher Ingredient Label (Strawberry Watermelon flavor):

Water, Sucrose, Dextrose, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Salt, Sodium Citrate, Monopotassium Phosphate, Glycerol Ester of Rosin, Red 40

 

Water—Ordinarily I would consider this ingredient to be the only healthy ingredient on the entire label; however, we do not know the source of the Gatorade Company’s water. It could be pond water for all we know! The worst part is that they are not required by the FDA to supply this information to the consumer.

Sucrose—although originally obtained from sugar cane or sugar beets, this form of sugar is most commonly known as table sugar. Therefore, it has been processed, refined, and bleached white to fit the stereotypical look, feel, and taste of generic table sugar. This form of sugar can be naturally derived from fruits and vegetables, but I highly doubt that is the case for the sucrose found in Gatorade or any other sports drink. The worst part about this ingredient is the way it is digested and dispersed by your body once consumed…“The body will use glucose as its main energy source and the excess energy from fructose, if not needed, will be poured into fat synthesis, which is stimulated by the insulin released in response to glucose” (healthyeating.sfgate.com). Basically, this form of sugar is making you fat. Interesting choice of ingredient for a product intended for athletes and other active people.

Dextrose—“the name of a simple sugar that is made from corn and is chemically identical to glucose, or blood sugar. Dextrose is often used in baking products as a sweetener, and can be commonly found in items such as processed foods and corn syrup” (healthline.com). We all know processed foods and corn syrup, are especially poor choices for any person’s diet…especially those actively fighting to get in shape! You’re already fighting your body fat to get in shape; you don’t need to fight your energy drink, as well.

Citric Acid—though this ingredient may sound natural because its name includes the word, “Citric,” I’m sorry to say that isn’t even close to being naturally derived from any type of citrus fruit. It happens to be a preservative, commonly found in a variety of processed foods, especially those of a canned and jarred nature. If you’re curious about the origins of citric acid, let me shed some light… “Industrial food ingenuity has made it so that citric acid can be created from Aspergillus niger, a common black mold. Although citric acid can be obtained from lemon or pineapple juice, producing citric acid from A. niger is a far less expensive process” (ethicalfoods.com).

Natural Flavors—the biggest problem with this ingredient is the fact that it really could mean anything. The FDA isn’t asking for an explanation and, chances are, food companies aren’t exactly handing this information out on a silver platter. Hence the use of a code name for whatever the ingredient truly may be. I actively avoid this ingredient not because it could be referring to some pretty gross stuff that I’d rather not consume, including Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) (Care2.com). The ingredients covered under the umbrella name of Natural or Artificial flavors offer no benefit to consumer because they are filler ingredients. These flavors are synthetic and meant to replace those of real foods. They’re cheaper and their expiration date is abnormally long.

Salt—finally an ingredient name the consumer will recognize! Despite the familiarity, it is important to consider the source of this ingredient. If it processed and refined table salt the Gatorade company is using (this is very likely, by the way) then you will be consuming a type of salt that will only strip your body of even more nutrients than it will restore them. “Common (refined) table salt (NaCl), which most people are accustomed to is comprised of about 97.5% Sodium Chloride and 2.5% toxic chemicals…this salt is easily recognized because of its white appearance and color. It’s highly processed—dried at over 1,200 degrees, bleached and chemically cleaned, resulting in the loss of trace minerals and essential macronutrients. It becomes something the body doesn’t recognize” (lifewithgreens.com). And how are we to know whether the salt in this product is the refined, chemically altered kind or the natural, unrefined kind? You would have to call the company directly and even then I don’t know if it is possible. Here’s one thing I know, there is a recurring pattern amongst processed food companies they always choose the cheapest method possible when it comes to making their product. Refined salt is cheaper than unrefined salt, you tell me which kind they most likely used in this sports drink…

Sodium Citrate—yet another salt-related ingredient. Sodium Citrate is synthetic, it was born in a lab, and it is most often used as a preservative or flavor enhancer to foods. This particular ingredient is what adds that sour and/or salty flavor to a product, in this case a sports drink. It is very similar to Citric Acid, so similar that the two names are actually interchangeable amongst scientists. This brings us back to the black mold issue I discussed under the Citric Acid ingredient name (if you didn’t read it, I highly recommend you do!). Not to mention, this is the third ingredient containing sodium. Not great for those of you with sodium-sensitivities or sodium-related health issues.

Monopotassium Phosphate—this particular ingredient was the only ingredient I actually had issues with finding a description of the role it plays in our food. I soon discovered the reason behind my struggle…it is more commonly found in fertilizers and intended for use on plants, not humans. Apparently, it is a great source of phosphorus and potassium for plants so how on earth did it end up in a sports drink? “Monopotassium phosphate is a soluble salt used as an additive in cigarettes, fertilizer and as a fungicide and buffering agent in vaccines. The synthesized, active, end-use product is a crystalline powder containing 100% active ingredient” (novaccine.com). Clearly this ingredient is being used as some sort of additive, a preservative is most likely. Whatever role it plays in the sports drink; based upon its synthetic and chemical structure you can guarantee that it in no way benefits your body or your energy levels.

Glycerol Ester of Rosin—this oddly named ingredient acts as an emulsifier, it prevents any separation between oil and a liquid when the two have been mixed together. Once again, this ingredient is synthetic. Derivatives of Glycerol Ester Rosin, such as Glycerol ester of gum, Glycerol ester of tall oil rosin, and Glycerol ester of wood rosin have all been labeled as “On Alert” ingredients by the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand.

Red 40—the last ingredient on the label, but certainly no less innocent than its predecessors. When thinking about food coloring, I’m automatically brought back to when I was a kid on Easter Sunday and we would dye eggs. Not once am I prompted to consider what these seemingly harmless food dyes were actually made of. “Red 40 is a certified color that comes from petroleum distillates or coal tars” (healthline.com). Not only can this ingredient be incredibly toxic to its consumer, “Red 40 contains p-Cresidine, which the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says is ‘reasonably anticipated’ to be a human carcinogen” (Healthline.com), but “research shows they can also cause hyperactivity in children” (healthline.com). As if the 21 grams of sugar in the sports drink wasn’t enough to cause this kind of behavior. My next concern is the effect energy-boosting drinks such as Gatorade are having on the brain activity of its consumer.

As you’ve probably already deduced from my descriptions of each ingredient, Gatorade isn’t exactly my go-to product when I’m looking for a healthy boost of energy. The worst part about sports drinks as a whole is that they are often marketed toward children. Those cute mini-bottles Gatorade now sells are the perfect size for kids of all ages involved in sports. Whether it’s game day or just another practice session, this beverage is often distributed as a “beneficial” option for the athletes. However, the ingredient label, the 34 grams of sugar per serving, and 270 milligrams of sodium on the nutrition label of a 20 ounce bottle tend to disagree. I may not have any children just yet, but if I saw this nutrition label, I would never think to give it to them as a “healthy” snack. Apparently, I’m not alone! My cousin, who has two children ages 6 and 4, recently informed me how she avoids sports drinks like the plague because of the sugar rush it gives the kids. According to her, the kids become hyper, out of control, and just plain crazy immediately after consuming any kind of sugary sports drink. She said the amount of hyperactivity created by these types of beverages is worse than soda. The worst part is that the effect of the poor quality ingredients in Gatorade continues long after the sugar rush is over. As physics dictates, what goes up must come down, and down they all go. Their energy, their patience, and their overall ability to be kind seem to crash right along with this so-called “energy boost.” Although at this point, I think psychotic episode might be a more accurate way to describe the behavior prompted by products such as Gatorade. So you get unmanageable behavior for who knows how long and then you have grumpy kids for the rest of the day…if you are a parent reading this right now, you’re probably wondering why you ever bought your child Gatorade. Your motivation was good; it’s not your fault that this happens to be a crappy product! The best thing you can do right now is to learn from it and move on. Bottled water or fruit-infused water is always the better choice!

Speaking of fruit-infused water, when you think about increasing your energy using food and drink products, do vegetables and fruits ever come to mind? Probably not. When I think about vegetables my mind is automatically redirected to dinner where I’m used to eating a type of green veggie, such as broccoli or green beans, as a side dish or I think of salad…once again a side dish to a meal. Green vegetables have been stifled into this category over the years and as a result we have been deprived of their energy-boosting abilities!

Fruits have been stifled into more of a snack category, meant to eat alone or, depending on the fruit, to complement a meal. Once again, they’re never considered as an energy boosting food. And why should they be when society and produce companies never market these products as such??

I have two words that will blow every other marketed energy-boosting drink, food, or powder out of the water…Green Smoothie. Not the processed kind that you can buy bottled at your local grocery store. No, I’m talking fresh, organic veggies and fruits that are washed, cut and thrown into the blender then liquefied into a very healthy and very potent energy-boosting juice. Notice I said Blender and not Juicer…I’m not trying to worm my way out of paying for an expensive juicing machine and therefore choosing the cheap or less effective route. For those of you that do not already have a juicer, but happen to own a blender this news I’m about to share is going to be a Win-Win for you! Juicing machines are one of the most overrated inventions ever created! I’m not saying this because I don’t have one, but secretly really, really want one and I’m redirecting my own personal envy into this article. Unfortunately, I do own a juicer and I still consider it to be one of the most ridiculous purchases I have ever made, not to mention a huge waste of money, as well!

Here’s the thing about juicers, they liquefy anything you put into them, but discard all of the pulp from the fruits and veggies. Sure, you get a fantastic texture in your homemade juice, but you also get a product that has been completely stripped of its nutritional value. You see, the pulp is where the majority of the nutrients in fruits and vegetables are found. The skin of fruits such as apples, are packed full of vitamins! The inside is just an added bonus to the fruit, if you’re looking for nutrients; you want the skin, the pulp, basically everything that is discarded by the juicing machine. It completely defeats the purpose of trying to be healthy and consume more vitamins and minerals. If this were discussed more often we would most likely see a significant decline in the sale of juicers.

So why is the blender so much better? It doesn’t discard anything! It blends the insides of your choice of produce and the pulp so that you get the best of both worlds. You get the flavor you’re looking for and the nutrients your body desperately needs. For those of you that are texture people, try finding a blender that offers a liquefy option in addition to the blend option. Personally, whenever I make green juice I always blend everything together for one minute and then I liquefy the contents for two minutes. It always produces a perfectly liquefied product, no existing pulp, foam, or chunkiness. If this texture still isn’t fluid enough for you, liquefy it again! It doesn’t matter how long you blend the ingredients for, you’re not draining any of the vitamins or minerals; you’re simply combining the ingredients even more! Just in case you’re looking for a new blender and need a recommendation, I am currently using a model created by Breville. I also own a toaster by this company and so far their products have proven to be great quality machines! The great thing about my Breville blender is that it has a variety of options including “Blend” and “Liquefy,” which come in handy for making juice!

Like many of the other topics I have written about here on Seize the Day Blog, my inspiration behind the idea of replacing commercial energy-boosting products with fruits and veggies is personal experience. I only recently began using this method for my own energy needs. It all started when I began going to the gym regularly again. My personal trainer created a personalized meal plan for me, which included two green juices a day. He recommended drinking the first juice one hour before my workout session at the gym and the second immediately after with a little added protein powder (you can find a super simple recipe for homemade protein powder here). I didn’t give these instructions much thought; I simply followed them and hoped for the best. What I got was a complete shock! I decided to take full advantage of this all-natural charge of beneficial vitamins and nutrients via green juice twice a day so I increased my intake to everyday. Even on days I didn’t workout, I still drank my green juice at 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM. After about two weeks of consistently consuming this amount of green veggies and fruits, I noticed an interruption in my sleep pattern. Ordinarily, I sleep like a baby…just ask my sister, she’ll tell you how crazy it is that I literally fall asleep after only 10 minutes of going to bed (I like to tease her that she’s just jealous of my apparent superhuman ability, I don’t think I would be fulfilling my duties as a “big sister” if I didn’t). Once I’m asleep, I sleep all night and don’t wake up again until 7:30 AM, now that I think of it this doesn’t exactly sound like a realistic typical night sleep for a baby, but you get the picture. So it was completely out of the ordinary when I got into bed and struggled to fall asleep. In fact, I really didn’t even feel tired or ready for bed when 10:00 PM (my typical bed time) rolled around. One bad night sleep is random, two could be coincidence, but three nights of struggling to fall asleep and actually stay asleep began to concern me. Maintaining a consistent sleep pattern has always been key in preventing seizure activity for me, personally. So when this inability to fall asleep persisted I was concerned about more than the shadows beginning to form under my eyes, my overall brain health was being affected. Something had to be done before another seizure happened.

As I looked back over the past few weeks, the only two changes I had made to my daily routine were going to the gym three times a week and drinking green juice every day twice a day. Well, I figured an increase in physical activity certainly isn’t going to make it more difficult for me to sleep so it must be the green juice. I definitely wasn’t going to stop drinking it altogether! I love the way it makes me feel, not just in the gym but everywhere! You know when that feeling when your body just feels good in a way that tells you whatever you’re doing is making your entire body very happy? Well that’s how I felt! So I decided not to overreact and I began experimenting with the amount of green juice I drank on the days I didn’t workout. Instead of drinking it twice a day, I tried drinking it once a day. The first day I made this change, the effect was immediate…I had no issues going to sleep and I didn’t wake up once…Basically, my superhuman ability was back. It has been one month since I made this change and I am yet to have a bad night’s sleep. Long story short, my body loves the green juice!

As crazy as this may sound compared to society’s perspective, you really don’t need any synthetic energy-boosting products to give you an energy boost so powerful it will work all day and all night. What you seek does not lie in a chemically altered juice or powder; it lies in the produce section of your grocery store (preferably, the Organic section). We have severely underestimated the benefits of spinach, kale, chard, cucumber, green apples, kiwi, carrots, cantaloupe, honeydew, and a multitude of other fruits and veggies! Next time you’re looking for a boost of energy, I hope you choose a source that is naturally derived and doesn’t require any added ingredients to get the job done!

I’ve provided a few of my favorite personal creations I’ve made over the past two months since my return to the gym. Each is super easy and all it requires is a blender!

If you know of any yummy green juice recipes please comment below, I’m always looking for new juices to try!

Refresher Smoothie Recipe:

Ingredients:

½ bunch spinach

½ bunch kale

½ cup cucumber, sliced

½ lime, peeled

1 green apple

2 kiwis

1 Tbsp coconut oil

1 Tbsp honey

1/8 cup greek yogurt

½ cup water

Handful ice cubes

Directions:

Put all ingredients into the blender and liquefy until it reaches your preferred consistency, I usually let it run for about 2-3 min. This may sound like a long time, but it is necessary if you want a thin, liquid texture more than you do a thick, smoothie-like texture. Drink immediately.

 

Honeydew Fusion Recipe:

Ingredients:

½ honeydew, peeled, cored, & chopped

1 bunch spinach or kale

½ lime, peeled

1 kiwi

1 green apple

1/8 cup greek yogurt, unflavored

1 Tbsp coconut oil

1 Tbsp honey

Handful ice cubes

Directions:

Put all ingredients into the blender and liquefy until it reaches your preferred consistency, 2-3 min seems the best amount of time for a thin, liquid texture without any pulp. Drink immediately.

 

Not-so-green Smoothie Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 bunch spinach

2 carrots, peeled & chopped

½ cup cucumber, sliced

½ cup cantaloupe, peeled, cored, & chopped

1/8 cup greek yogurt, unflavored

1 Tbsp coconut oil

1 Tbsp honey

¼ cup water

Handful ice cubes

Directions:

Place the spinach, carrots, and cucumber into the blender and blend for approximately 1 minute. Add the cantaloupe, yogurt, coconut oil, honey, water, and ice cubes. Liquefy for 2 minutes. If the texture is still too pulpy, blend for another minute or until it reaches your desired consistency. Drink immediately.

 

If you know of any yummy green juice recipes please comment below, I’m always looking for new juices to try!

If you have any questions about the article or any of the recipes please comment below or email me at Katie@seizethedayblog.com, I’m always happy to help!

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

 

Sources:

Be Food Smart: http://www.befoodsmart.com/ingredients/citric-acid.php

Care2: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/reasons-vegans-read-labels-natural-flavorscastoreum.html

Ethical Foods: https://ethicalfoods.com/citric-acid/

Gatorade: http://www.gatorade.com/products/g-series/thirst-quencher/?jump=flow

Healthy Eating/SF Gate: http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/difference-between-sucrose-glucose-fructose-8704.html

Healthline:

-Red Dye 40: http://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/is-red-dye-40-toxic#overview1

-Dextrose: http://www.healthline.com/health/dextrose#overview1

Life With Greens: http://www.lifewithgreens.com/differences-between-refined-and-unrefined-salt

No Vaccine: http://novaccine.com/vaccine-ingredients/monopotassium-phosphate/

Prescribed for Life: https://pforlife.com/potassium-bicarbonate-natural-usp-food-grade-crystalline-powder-39-k.html

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Vitamin C Smoothie Bowl

Vitamin C Smoothie Bowl Recipe

Smoothie Bowl 1

As someone who is personally dealing with a Vitamin C deficiency, I understand how challenging it can be to get even the tiniest amount of Vitamin C (or any vitamin, for that matter) back into your body.

A good quality vitamin supplement is obviously a very good solution to my problem, but I like to give my body as much assistance as humanly possible. Therefore, I can’t think of a better starting point than my diet.

Food has a stronger impact on overall health than many people realize. It is what gives our bodies the energy and ability to function properly. I don’t know about you, but I want my body to function in a healthy manner. At this moment in time, I am still working toward this goal. I can’t say it is functioning in a “healthy” manner when I’m still having seizures and dealing with nutrient deficiencies…but the point is, I’m getting there! Partly thanks to my diet!

Smoothie bowls are an excellent source of natural vitamins, minerals, and nutrients! This Vitamin C smoothie bowl is packed full of dietary fiber, which will aid in digestion, and powerful antioxidants (like Vitamin C), which will work to keep your immune system strong year-round. Try it because it is healthy, repeat the recipe because it oh so yummy! Happy cooking and Bon Appetite!

Ingredients:

Handful of Kale & Spinach

1 large Kiwi

Handful of Almonds (chopped)

1/2 cup Plain Greek Yogurt

1 large Avocado

1/2 frozen Banana

1/3 cup frozen Mixed Berries

4 frozen whole Strawberries

Splash of Water (if necessary)

1 T Honey

Directions:

  1. Place all ingredients into blender & blend until smooth (About 2 minutes).
  2. Top with sliced strawberries and kiwi for decoration.