More Nutrition Trends Mom Should Know About

By now you have probably heard all about a gluten free diet. This means excluding gluten, a protein that is found in grains such as bread, pasta and cereal from your diet. This is a specialized diet for people who have celiac disease or who are allergic to gluten or have a gluten intolerance. Since the word “diet” is synonymous with losing weight, some people mistakenly think that it’s a weight-loss plan, but it isn’t intended to be that. A gluten-free diet excludes many common dietary staples so you should follow it under the supervision of a doctor or dietitian.

When it comes to your gut and your kid's guts you have also probably heard a lot about Probiotics. Probiotics promote good digestion, strengthen your immune system and protect against disease-causing “bad” bacteria. They are also handy for treating diarrhea and urinary tract infections. Certain

Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains may help reduce the duration and severity of a cold. You should consume probiotics when you take antibiotics; they will replace the good bacteria that the antibiotics have killed. There are many different strains of probiotics and each one offers a different health benefit.

Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum, for example, may help boost your immunity. There are other strains and combinations that may help prevent colds and urinary tract infections, and help with lactose intolerance. Talk to a health-care professional to determine which type will best meet your needs. Probiotics are found in yogurts and fermented products.

By now you have also probably heard about Stevia. natural sweetener that’s 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar and extracted from the stevia shrub, which is native to Paraguay. Stevia sweetens like sugar, but has no calories. Stevia has been safely used as a sweetener for hundreds of years in South America, but there aren’t any clinical studies on its safety.

Adults are best to stick to no more than 280 milligrams a day of stevia leaf powder. Liquid and spoonable stevia powders are available in health food stores. In Canada, stevia is not permitted as 
a food additive for widespread use because of the lack of research. It can be found in some natural health products that have a natural product number on them. This means they are government regulated and must list a dosage amount on the package.

Stay away from any nutrition trend that is not government regulated. It is quite simply bad for your health.

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Show Your Preschooler Who’s the Boss

If your child is hitting you, saying he hates you or telling you not to look at him you have a problem. This is how a feisty toddler uses rejection to control you.

If you have displayed any type of softness at all towards your toddler they know they can manipulate you emotionally. It is usually to get out of doing what is asked or to get their own way. It is astounding how very young children can learn this trick as well.

If you want to change behavior start by ignoring your child's statements while maintaining your usual expectation that the child must do as he or she is told. Don't discuss what the child is doing as it only reinforces the behavior. If your kid talks back to you or makes demands do not answer back. The key is to not get caught up in your child's wave of negativity. Keep your attention on directing your child back to task.

If your kid does start behaving well try to give him or her all kinds of positive attention. This is also a good time to tell the kid you love him or her. If you submit the child willed up being the boss and not you.

If your child hits you should never ever hit back. Give the kid a time out instead. In a firm but quiet voice say, 'no hitting.' Then take your kid quietly by the forearm and lead him or her to a step or a chair. Make him or her sit there for five or ten seconds more.

If your child is used to be in control of you and if you start to turn things around then be prepared for protesting. Your child will not like losing control of you. Our child will try harder to get you to submit to their will. They may tell you louder that they don't love you, they may it harder and they may scream and throw a tantrum.

You child will protest and insult you and even get violent. Do not give in. Giving in while this going on can make everything worse. If your child is screaming and yelling while in a time out then watch form a distance. Ignore it until it is settled. This can take great patience but it is worth it when the child finally behaves.

The only time you should intervene is if the kid is going to hurt him or herself in order to get attention. If this is the case it may be time to seek professional help.

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