Gustation. It’s a fun word right? It is the scientific term for “taste”. We know that there are 5 basic tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salty and unami (savory). We actually have receptors in our oral cavity (mouth) and gut to sense taste - they help tell us if we should allow a substance into our body. The human body is pretty amazing and we were born with abilities to keep ourselves safe. For example, we prefer sweet over bitter because well - breast milk is sweet and poison is bitter. See - our taste buds have helped us grow and thrive for centuries.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there are 9 million to 45 million cases of the flu each year. And with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever to do what we can to stay healthy. To fight the flu, healthcare experts suggest that everyone get an annual flu shot. In addition to following medical guidance, you can also stay healthy by eating certain immune-boosting, antioxidant-rich foods.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, The World Health Organization and The Endocrine Society are among the many medical communities that are sounding the alarm. Synthetic (made by humans) endocrine disrupting chemicals are found in everyday products - particularly in our food system. These chemicals look like our everyday hormones that allow us to grow, develop, reproduce, balance our body’s salt and water level and many more significant functions that keep us healthy. The chemicals in products look like our natural hormones and interrupt these normal signaling pathways. This is particularly important in children as they are still growing and developing rapidly - many organ systems are not even fully developed in that first decade of life.
Getting back to school is all about learning new routines, so now is a great time to develop healthier snacking habits. Packaged snack foods can be an easy, convenient choice for after school but often provide too many added calories and not enough nutrition. Snacks don't have to be complicated!
A food preference is the concept of liking certain foods over others. This is associated with many factors, most of which are learned and shaped by our experiences. We are born with some, however. For example, babies prefer sweet and fatty foods. Why? Breast Milk is sweet and high in fat! However, there are many other factors that start early in life that shape this preference that is forming in the first 2 years of your child’s life. Studies show that these early food preferences directly affect eating habits and are linked to a child’s overall health.
Learn about plant-based diets for children with Dr. Derek Kwan one of San Diego’s Top Doctors. Dr. Kwan will answer some frequently asked questions about plant-based diets, share tips on how to make healthy plant- based meals at home and quick tips for beginners.
Learn about plant-based diets for children with Dr. Derek Kwan one of San Diego’s Top Doctors. You will get a special view of some of his personal tips & tricks on how to design an appropriately planned diet, and the science behind a healthy plant-based plate.
By Nicole Harkin, MD, FACC: In honor of Heart Health Month, I’m so excited to chat heart-healthy eating tips with you! It may seem strange to think about heart health and your kiddos, but unfortunately, heart disease isn’t just for older people. Research has demonstrated that the beginnings of heart and vascular disease occur in our 20s. Almost half of all heart attacks and strokes occur in Americans aged 45 to 64 years of age. Also, rates of obesity and diabetes are on the rise in children. Here are some of my top #doctormom hacks for getting more plants into my family's mouths.
For many years, parents delayed introduction of foods in an attempt to prevent food allergy. Our understanding of allergy development has come a long way in the last two decades and the LEAP study has completely changed the way we think about early introduction of foods, particularly peanut introduction. It showed that introduction of peanuts in the first year of life was not only safe but could PREVENT peanut allergy in high risk infants. How cool is that?
Breastfeeding isn't easy. Just ask Maya Vorderstrasse (photo credit above - and we love her). It's hard! It takes a village. Manasa Mantravadi, M.D. weighs in on the powers of breast milk and the importance of encouraging moms to try it and educating them about its powerful benefits. Part of Ahimsa's mission is to encourage healthy habits from a young age. That starts in infancy - months before plates, cups or bowls are introduced!