Last month, a fantastic NPR podcast highlighted the problem with plastic which I will summarize here: “According to a 2017 research article, more than 40% of all plastic made is packaging, which is used only once or twice before being thrown away. According to a recent analysis examining global plastic waste generation between 2010 and 2016, the United States was responsible for more plastic trash than any country in the world. That’s millions and millions of tons of plastic waste. Per capita, that boils down to nearly 300 pounds of plastic trash per person(!) per year. It’s estimated that only about 9% of plastic waste generated in the U.S. is recycled. The rest ends up in landfills, incinerators, and, unfortunately, marine environments such as rivers and oceans. And there, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, it will remain for hundreds of years.”

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.  

As the pandemic continues to improve and families are slowly navigating the transition to "normalcy", Dr. Manasa Matravadi brings great tips on how to get together again safely. 

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.

I used to have moments where I had no idea what I was going to feed my family for dinner, and it was so easy to pick up something through the Drive-Thru or serve my family cereal for dinner.  But with a little bit of planning on the front end, it will make your life a lot easier when cooking a meal each day throughout the week.  Meal planning has numerous benefits, including eating healthier, saving time, and saving money.  I break down the whole process in three main steps: meal planning, grocery shopping, and meal prepping.  Here are several tips to help you save time when meal planning and grocery shopping.

And just like that your little bundle is six months old. Hopefully by now your baby is (eh-hem) sleeping through the night and you’re TOTALLY rested. Something like that, right?

Honestly, I remember when people told me that time flies with children. I thought they must have had temporary memory loss related to the newborn period. But, after that fog had lifted from the first few months, I too realized that upon blinking, your children grow up at the speed of light. This means new adventures for you and your baby!

As parents, we all want our children to be healthy. But, as adults, it's important to recognize that a healthy planet is important for healthy kids. We only have one Earth and it's our job to protect it for the generations of kids ahead. Our children learn from us and are capable of understanding so much at even the youngest of ages! Set examples, have discussions and work together with your kids to be a team that champions sustainability efforts.

Pediatricians play a key role in preventing medical problems in children as much as they do in treating them. It is the reason for those frequent visits with your pediatrician in the first few years when growth and development are crucial. Identifying issues early on allows intervention and improves outcomes for a child’s long term health. As a pediatrician myself, I have two main jobs: take care of children and educate parents. 

By Matthew Feltrop : What is (and particularly what isn’t) on children’s plates in the United States is prime evidence of the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Right before the current health crisis hit, childhood food insecurity affected a staggering 15 million children. Without the consistency of school meals, as well as many households losing income, that number has grown to about 18 million. Widespread childhood nutrition programs have proven essential to increasing both food security and health outcomes for children.