BOOK & HOUSEWARES NEWS
Feeding Our Kids

by Kathy Humiston, WSGC Staff

August is here already—where has the summer gone? As the days slowly begin to shorten, thoughts turn to the garden harvest…maybe one more road trip for the season…cooler days of fall coming…getting our kids ready for school. Yes, that time is fast approaching and this month I would like to highlight a few books that are specific to the younger ones in our lives.

What Are We Feeding Our Kids?
You are probably aware that many “adult” diseases are becoming more prevalent among children in this country—things like obesity, diabetes, cancer and even high blood pressure and heart disease. The type of food our kids eat has become more important than ever. What Are We Feeding Our Kids? by Michael F. Jacobson, Ph.D. discusses the nutritional needs and deficits of children, school and restaurant foods and how foods are marketed to children, and why. Food additives and pesticides are covered as well as “additives” like sugar and salt. There are dozens of suggestions for making changes in your own kitchen and when eating out and a unique system of food pyramids for anytime, sometimes and seldom foods. No matter our age, our bodies and brains are instantly impacted by everything we swallow. What Are We Feeding Our Kids? can help send your kids (or you!) back to school in health and very readable style! It is on sale during August for 15% off the publisher’s price.

The A.D.D. Nutrition Solution
As the school year approaches, attention deficit disorder can become a hot topic—A.D.D. is thought to affect more than seven percent of the world’s population, and up to 10% of U.S. school children have been diagnosed—almost 50% in some areas of the country! Treatment often consists of stimulant drugs—even for toddlers. If A.D.D. is a concern for you or a loved one, you may be interested in reading The A.D.D. Nutrition Solution by Marcia Zimmerman, C.N. This book discusses various non-drug, nutritional strategies for A.D.D. and A.D.H.D., including foods, herbs and supplements that can be helpful as well as what to avoid and why. There are many recipes and a good resource section.

Healthy Food for Healthy Kids
Healthy Food for Healthy Kids is a guide to childhood nutrition at all ages. Author Bridget Swinney, M.S., R.D. talks about food allergies, feeding your baby, food safety and more. There are lots of kid-approved recipes too. This book gives an overview of most aspects of nutrition. As with many authors, you may not agree with all of Swinney’s ideas, but there is much good information here.

Super Baby Food
For parents of the very young I suggest a look at Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron. This book is all about nutrition and vegetarian foods for children age three and under. Yaron starts the discussion at the beginning—breastfeeding and when to introduce solid foods, and covers equipment, organics, and whole foods of all kinds. There are dozens of recipes and also lists of pantry staples. There are chapters on party foods, crafts and child-safe cleaning tips. This book would make a great new baby gift!