Start Growing Healthy Children Before Getting Pregnant

When I was in my early 20's, I read Adele Davis's book, "Let's Eat Right To Keep fit." I learned from her that "you are what you eat." I also learned that our babies are what we eat while we are pregnant, and then are what they eat once they are born. If you nurse your babies, then they continue to be what you eat as long as you are nursing them. My bible during my first pregnancy over 38 years ago was "Let's Have Healthy Children," also by Adele Davis. I started to follow her guidelines way before getting pregnant, knowing that my health had a big effect on my baby's health.

There is much more information about good nutrition available today, and I want to encourage anyone who wants to have healthy children to start early in learning about and implementing a healthy way of eating. Educating yourself regarding good nutrition is a major part of good parenting. However, a good rule of thumb is, if they didn't eat it 200 years ago, don't eat it now! This means no fast food, no packaged food - including sodas, cakes and candies - no preservatives, no fruits and vegetables grown with pesticides or artificial fertilizers, or animals grown with hormones and fed food grown with pesticides. It also means no smoking or drinking. It means no caffeine. If you want healthy children, you need to put pure, clean organic food into your body before you get pregnant and continue throughout your pregnancy. Of course, then you want to continue to feed yourself and your family clean food once your children are born.

If you are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, you have a wonderful opportunity to lay a strong foundation of health for your child. Why not start now feeding yourself well and learning all you can about creating healthy children? You are going to be a parent the whole rest of your life. You can do so much to make your parenting experience a joyful one by taking responsibility for your own physical and emotional health before getting pregnant. If you have not been disciplined enough to eat well before getting pregnant, perhaps the idea of eating well for your child will be enough to motivate you.

It's not as hard as you might think. It really doesn't take much more time to eat well than to eat junk. And the payoff is huge. Not only were my three babies healthy, they were calm. They slept well and were happy children, who learned easily and did well in school. The only time they were hyperactive ? actually bouncing off walls! ? was after returning from birthday parties where they had ice cream, cake and sodas.

In my many years of counseling, I've often worked with parents who were struggling with their children's behavior problems. Of course not all behavior problems are nutritional, but you might be surprised how many problems have their cause in poor nutrition. I've often wondered why so many people are careful to put the right octane in their gas tank but put the wrong fuel into their bodies ? and then wonder why there is so much illness, learning disabilities, and so on.

I want to tell you a little story about the power of food. We had a 6 month old golden retriever puppy who was dying of irritable bowel syndrome. He had constant diarrhea and was getting thinner and thinner by the day. We had been giving him the very best quality kibble and it wasn't working. Fortunately we learned about raw food for dogs. Within two meals of raw food, he was completely healthy! Here I had been studying nutrition for so many years and it had never occurred to me that a dog's natural diet is raw food! Wow, what a lesson!

About The Author

Margaret Paul, Ph.D. is the best-selling author and co-author of eight books, including "Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By You?" She is the co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding healing process. Learn Inner Bonding now! Visit her web site for a FREE Inner Bonding course: http://www.innerbonding.com or mailto:margaret@innerbonding.com. Phone sessions available.

margaret@innerbonding.com

---

Exercising After Pregnancy

Generally most women can begin a formal exercise program within... Read More

Reducing Your Pain In Childbirth

Pain is the word most associated with labor. Women go... Read More

Will I Get Stretch Marks? If I Do, What Can I Do?

It doesn't seem possible at the outset of pregnancy, but... Read More

You Can Do Exercise During Pregnancy, but Dont Overdo It

Don't get so lazy during your pregnancy. Move your body... Read More

Pregnancy Weight Gain - The Mystery Solved

It is important that you remember that weight gain is... Read More

Successful Weight Loss After Pregnancy

How fast you lose weight will depend on a number... Read More

Life After Birth

LIFE AFTER BIRTH: THE FIRST 6 WEEKSLife after birth can... Read More

Your Role as an Expectant Father

Quite often expectant fathers get bent out of shape over... Read More

You Might Be Pregnant If

Your breasts are now twice their normal size.One of the... Read More

How to Get Your Pre-pregnancy Body Back

The second biggest question you will ask yourself as a... Read More

Is Pregnancy Changes You?

People say pregnancy is a fun and exciting time. Probably... Read More

What Would I Do Without My Doula?

By the time my husband and I finally got pregnant... Read More

Why Pregnant Women Get Stressed and Depressed?

If you are a pregnant mother or soon will be,... Read More

Coping With an Unplanned Pregnancy

Your period is late and you start to think maybe... Read More

How to Lose Weight After Pregnancy

Weight control is a prevalent concern for many women after... Read More

Pregnancy And Celiac Disease

If you have celiac disease and are well controlled because... Read More

The Myths of Fitness During Pregnancy - The Straight Facts on the ACOG Guidelines

The American College of Obstetics and Gynecology (ACOG) guidelines are... Read More

Womens Health - Pregnancy Nutrition is for All Women of Child Bearing Age

During pregnancy your nutrition needs are going to increase. Even... Read More

How Fast Will I Lose The Weight I Gained During Pregnancy?

Remember as with any weight loss and exercise program, moderation... Read More

Mommy Is Having A Baby!

Preparing for a new arrival from the beginning of your... Read More

Weight Loss After Pregnancy - The Final Word

One point can't be emphasized enough. Weight loss takes time... Read More

Pregnancy, Diabetes, and Your Feet

There are so many changes the body undergoes during pregnancy... Read More

How To Avoid Swelling When Pregnant

Edema, otherwise known as swelling, will affect almost all women... Read More

How Do I Date My Pregnancy?

Accurate dating of pregnancy is one of the most important... Read More

Pregnancy and Tanning Bed - Think Before You Tan

With summer coming near, you would love to put on... Read More

Eating Healthfully When A New Baby Arrives

A new baby can be overwhelming for the whole family.... Read More

Alcohol And Pregnancy

If you have been drinking up until the point when... Read More

Piece of Mind During Pregnancy - It is Possible with Babysheart

After four years of marriage my husband and I started... Read More

Abortions After Fetal Viability

Abortion is without a doubt one of the hottest and... Read More

The Truth About Labor and Childbirth

Labor and childbirth was an amazing, positive experience for me,... Read More

Pregnant Mothers and Starbucks

Many mothers are addicted to caffeine and cannot handle going... Read More

Pregnant? Did You Know You Can Begin Bonding as Early as 8 Weeks into Pregnancy?

Maybe someone you know has rented or purchased a fetal... Read More

Get Back Your Pre-Pregnancy Abs With Side Planks

The foundation of fitness for a mom is her abdominal... Read More