As I sit here on a rainy, windy day I thought I would take a few minutes to write a new post. My journey into nutrition has taken many twists and turns and I have found myself growing each year both in "book" knowledge and, most importantly, in "life" knowledge. Holistic nutrition is so much more than eating healthy. Instead, it concentrates on the individual with all of their weaknesses and flaws. I have learned that while each person has strengths in their constitution, there are also weaknesses in each and every client that I have come across. This weakness, or weaknesses in some people, can alter one's health and can affect other areas in the body. This weakness cannot always be "cured" but can often be helped.
After I became accredited as a GAPS Practitioner I found my practice growing by leaps and bounds. Many of my clients are children with autism and all of these children with autism are boys. Boys..... this leads me to other theories but I won't get into those here (maybe a future blog!). Through this I have realized a few things: the parents of autistic children are AMAZING. Truly AMAZING. The love that they pour out and what they will do to help their child is simply mind blowing. I often think of these parents, especially the moms (and many of them are single moms), and just think WOW. The things they go through, their dedication and the work they will do for their precious child is such a GIFT.
My true passion and love is working with these beautiful people: autistic children, children with learning disabilities, children with ADHD/ADD and with both children and adults suffering with mental illness of any sort. Because of this, I have made the decision to dedicate my practice to working with these individuals only. While I love working with all of my clients, I feel that the areas I mentioned are the ones that I would like to concentrate on for all future clients. This is my love!
Please contact me with any questions or if you would like more information! Have a blessed and wonderful day!
Gail
Showing posts with label adhd. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adhd. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
The Terror of Tartrazine
There's something that can make my youngest son a complete terror. It lurks and hides in inconspicuous spots such as ice cream and brightly colored processed foods. My son jokes about eating it but really, it makes him feel angry and gives him an out-of-control feeling. It also makes him feel ill and has even been known to cause an asthma attack. What is it? Tartrazine. It also goes by the name Yellow 5.
Tartrazine is used in yellow-colored foods such as puddings, jello, soft drinks, ice cream, cereals, candy and even some brands of spaghetti. I often wonder how many kids that are misdiagnosed with ADD, ADHD or other behavioral issues are actually sensitive to food colorings such as Tartrazine. Red #3 (Erythrosine) is another big one that is on the "safe list" but there are legitimate concerns that it can cause gene mutations, cancers or changes in brain chemistry. Since there is not enough clear evidence, the FDC keeps Red #3 on the safe list and does not have to be listed on labels except as "artificial color".
What bothers me most about the use of food colorings is that manufacturers DO have other, healthier, options. The problem is, these options are more expensive. Natural colorings that are found in beets, carrots, blueberries, etc. can and ARE used by companies in the natural food business. My favorite store, Whole Foods, will not sell any items in their stores that have artificial colorings. YES!!
My son isn't the only one in our family who is sensitive to Tartrazine. My sister experiences migraines and an overall sense of frustration after consuming it. I also have a cousin whose daughter is affected by it as well. I can't help but think that more people are affected than we realize. Of course, Tartrazine (and any food coloring) is something that we try to avoid as much as possible!
Obviously, Yellow #5 and Red #3 are not the only food colorings out there. Red #40, Blue #1, Blue #2, Green #3 and Yellow #6 are all used and, while some are considered "safe", there are definite questions about others. I hope that more and more consumers push food manufacturers to replace their artificial colorings with other suitable, healthier options.
Tartrazine is used in yellow-colored foods such as puddings, jello, soft drinks, ice cream, cereals, candy and even some brands of spaghetti. I often wonder how many kids that are misdiagnosed with ADD, ADHD or other behavioral issues are actually sensitive to food colorings such as Tartrazine. Red #3 (Erythrosine) is another big one that is on the "safe list" but there are legitimate concerns that it can cause gene mutations, cancers or changes in brain chemistry. Since there is not enough clear evidence, the FDC keeps Red #3 on the safe list and does not have to be listed on labels except as "artificial color".
What bothers me most about the use of food colorings is that manufacturers DO have other, healthier, options. The problem is, these options are more expensive. Natural colorings that are found in beets, carrots, blueberries, etc. can and ARE used by companies in the natural food business. My favorite store, Whole Foods, will not sell any items in their stores that have artificial colorings. YES!!
My son isn't the only one in our family who is sensitive to Tartrazine. My sister experiences migraines and an overall sense of frustration after consuming it. I also have a cousin whose daughter is affected by it as well. I can't help but think that more people are affected than we realize. Of course, Tartrazine (and any food coloring) is something that we try to avoid as much as possible!
Obviously, Yellow #5 and Red #3 are not the only food colorings out there. Red #40, Blue #1, Blue #2, Green #3 and Yellow #6 are all used and, while some are considered "safe", there are definite questions about others. I hope that more and more consumers push food manufacturers to replace their artificial colorings with other suitable, healthier options.
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