Tag Archives: eating healthy

Child Safety, Discipline, SYN Digital Enrollment Director

Children’s Health: Learning more about the Effects of Concussions

Chris Holgreaves, guest contributor

We have all probably seen our fair share of cartoons. You know the ones in which the main character has some kind of head injury and stars magically float around their heads? Well sadly, real life doesn’t treat children in the same way as this. The side effects of a nasty “bonk” on the head aren’t always as easy to notice as in your favorite cartoon.

Of course, the above might is likely to be fairly amusing in a cartoon; however when it happens for real your young one will probably take a different view. Being knocked out or even feeling dazed for a moment or two can be symptoms of a concussion.

If you are worried about the effects of concussions then this blog post is definitely for you. Here we will be taking a closer look at just what to expect.

Just what is a Concussion?

It would probably make sense to try to understand a little more about what makes a bang on the head a concussion.

The simplest way to think about things is that a concussion occurs when there is a temporary change to the way that the brain operates. Sudden movements or indeed jarring are the most likely reasons for this to occur in children.

In normal conditions the soft tissue of the brain is protected by the blood and spinal fluid that surrounds it. However, when the head receives a blow it can sometimes have the effect of the brain knocking against the bony surface of the skull.

Many concussions only last a relatively short time. But, it should be noted that some can stick around for days, weeks or even longer. Even the shortest of concussions can still be serious.

Warning Signs

Concussion can manifest itself in many different ways. Some of these will include:

  • Vomiting
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Attention difficulties
  • Confusion
  • Headache

The list above isn’t extensive and there are likely to be other possible symptoms. The important thing is to keep a really close eye on your child in the immediate aftermath of a bang to the head. Rest is another key part of the recovery from a concussion.

Rest is Vital

All head injuries will take an element of time to heal; therefore a period of rest is vital. Of course, this isn’t always easy to achieve.

The hardest part is that aside from the noticeable effects that your child might be experiencing there could be other things going on that aren’t seen. Trying to persuade a fanatical sports fan not to take to the football field for a week or so might not be the easiest of tasks. However, nonetheless it is vitally important that rest is administered.

As well as a rest from sporting or physical activities you should also help your child to avoid completing cognitive activities. This means a break from schooling or other academic activities.

Medical Treatment

Doctors are highly skilled when it comes to dealing with and treating head injuries. With this in mind it is essential that you get your child checked out as soon as possible. Very often a few short questions skilfully posed to the patient will allow the doctor a greater understanding of the situation.

In some cases the doctor will ask what seem like routine questions which serve to test the child’s memory functions. Additionally some might even prescribe an element of physical exertion to see how the brain reacts after a work-out.

More precise information can be found by using specialist equipment. One of the best known types is of course a CAT scanner. This machine has the power to take a 3 dimensional x-ray of the brain and can create a wealth of usable information.

Patient Follow-Up

Even after the all clear is given it is usual for a follow up to be scheduled. Only after this time will the doctor be satisfied that there is no lasting damage caused.

One big worry from a concussion is that the child goes out and repeats the injury. This is especially serious if it is happens during the initial healing process. For this reason the doctor will be keen to reinforce the value of making sure the patient gets plenty of rest.

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Prior to becoming a professional writer, your author (Chris Holgreaves) worked in a children’s care unit for his local hospital. He recommends the involvement of a specialist case manager wherever possible, especially when dealing with children’s head injuries.

Child Fitness, Child Health, SYN Digital Enrollment Director

Best Foods To Achieve Optimal Oral Health

Bailey Martin, guest contributor

You already know there are many requirements for maintaining great oral health.  Things like brushing twice per day, flossing and rinsing are some of the common regimens one must follow everyday to keep their mouth and teeth as healthy as possible. You may have also heard that certain foods can sacrifice your oral health.  But, what about foods and drinks that can actually improve it? Read on for tips on improving the dental health of both yourself and your family at meal and snack times.

 

Water. Let’s start with the most obvious.  With every remedy to a condition, water is generally always recommended. child-nutrition Water is also an indispensable part of an oral health regimen because it can be as effective as mouthwash at swishing away particles and residue lodged in teeth. Water also aids in keeping your gums hydrated which stimulates saliva production–the best defense against bacteria.

 

Cheese.  Because cheese is high in phosphate and calcium, it helps to balance the pH in your mouth. This helps to kill bacteria and preserve tooth enamel which also prevents cavities as well as gum disease.

Kiwi.  Kiwi contains the highest amount of Vitamin C among all fruits, which is vital to preserving the condition of your gums. When you lack Vitamin C, the collagen in your gums breaks down and they become tender and more susceptible to the bacteria which is responsible for causing periodontal disease.  Eat lots of kiwi (and other fruits high in Vitamin C) and you’ll be doing your mouth a big favor.

Celery.  Because celery is an extremely crunchy, mainly water-based vegetable, chewing it produces saliva, neutralizing the bacteria that causes cavities. It’s also a naturally abrasive food that massages gums & cleans between your teeth.  It removes debris from the teeth which, therefore, reduces plaque formation.

Onions.  Onions are armed with powerful antibacterial sulfur compounds, making them terrific for dental health. They are strongest and most beneficial when eaten fresh and raw. Try chewing raw onions for two minutes a day, three times per week.  This is said to kill the germs which cause bacteria and tooth decay. Onions also have healing properties which can help prevent certain oral infections.  Too bad they don’t do as much for your breath as they do for your overall dental health.

Green Tea.  If you are looking for the ultimate weapon against oral health blunders, green tea is one of the best choices. First of all, green tea is an anti-inflammatory meaning it is great at controlling periodontal (gum) disease.  Research has also shown that when individuals with precancerous mouth lesions consumed green tea, it helped to slow the progression of oral cancer. Finally, green tea kills the germs that causes bad breath and also prevents cavities and tooth loss.

Dairy.  Dairy products (without added sugar) have the potential to help your teeth in a number of different ways. It can help to stimulate saliva production, while the calcium replaces minerals leached from the teeth.  They provide your body with the right amount of nutrients needed to rebuild your teeth, keep them strong and also keep your mouth and gums healthy. Dairy products also buffer a portion of the acid formed when sugar traces are present in your mouth.  This helps strengthen teeth and forms a protective barrier.

 

Try incorporating a few, or all, of these teeth-friendly items into your family’s diet and see your oral health take a turn for the better.  Dental health is crucial to overall health and making subtle changes in your diet can really make a difference and prevent future health concerns. In addition, starting your children on a healthy path early can really impact their well-being from the start.

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Bailey Martin blogs for Bassett Creek Dental, a Minneapolis dentist providing preventative, surgical and cosmetic dental procedures for both adults and children.

Child Fitness, Child Health, Child Obesity, SYN Digital Enrollment Director

Developing Good Eating Habits at Home

Ervin Moore, guest contributor

Many mothers may wonder why their children are rejecting the food given to them every meal – breakfast, lunch and dinner. A growing concern among parents has been unlikely develop about the good eating habits of  young children. These concerns are based on the reality that eating the right foods at the right time is essential to a child’s overall health. But as most mothers see, more and more children do not have good eating habits.

Children are really choosy when it comes to eating their meals. They usually prefer to eat sweet foods like chocolates & candies and do not care if it has a nutritional value or not. Of course they’re children. They doesn’t know the right food to eat and don’t understand what is nutritional value either.

 

Consider timing of meals

A child may think that having good eating habits is a daily chore that they have to fulfill. This makes young children think that just by eating at a time they want is enough to make them healthy and strong. For mothers, they always want their children to always eat nutritious foods in every meal but they often reject it. As a mother, what will you do to a situation like this?

In some cases, parents may get tired of having to tell their children to eat promptly during mealtime. They may resort to giving “bribes” – candies, sweets and other unhealthy foods – to make their children eat during mealtime or to avoid their young ones throwing tantrums. Although doing this from time to time may not be a big deal, it would be not advisable to “bribe” young children to eat every meal. Such a move would turn into a habit, and a child would have a disposition of refusing to eat during meals, unless his qualms and demands are met. Should this happen, a child would have a bad eating habit, and eventually, this would affect his or her overall health and well-being.

 

Enforcing good habits

So, how can parents help their children develop good eating habits?

Parents should have the whole family eat meals together as often as possible. This should instil onto children that eating the right food on the right time does not have to be a chore or a burden. Likewise, meals should be made pleasant as much as possible. It should not be a time for scolding young ones or making arguments with other members of the family. Mealtimes filled with unnecessary arguments and scolding would just turn away children and make them lose their appetite. Mealtimes should be a period where family members could freely interact with each other. Such meals would create a relaxed environment for children to create and develop good eating habits.

 

Get them involved in what they eat

Likewise, parents could involve their children in buying food and ingredients as well as preparing meals. Doing these offers several advantages. First, children do appreciate the fact that they were being factored in when preparing meals for the whole family. Also, children who have helped in preparing family meals are more likely to enjoy the food they had a hand in preparing. Parents could also gain hints on the food preferences of their children if they involve them such activities.

Parents could also help their children develop good eating habits by planning the snacks. One of the main reasons why some children don’t have the appetite to eat timely meals is because they have been snacking out of time. Getting a good snack is advisable but it should not come at a time when a scheduled meal is on the way. This will spoil children’s appetite during meal times. Thus, it would help if parents do schedule and plan family snacks.

These are just some the ways by which parents could help their children have good eating habits. Children on their own are not capable of knowing what eating practices are good for them, and most of the time they end up doing what is detrimental for them. Parents really need to step up efforts to guide and train their children to have good eating habits. Home is not only a place to get a good rest and a good place to live, but also a place to have a good meal.

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About the Author

Ervin Moore is freelance writer/editor that specializes in creating art history essays and related compositions. Learned in the Harvard system of referencing, the author has been writing and editing academic papers for a couple of years.

Child Health, Motivation, Self-Esteem, SYN Digital Enrollment Director

Persuasion and Motivation For Our Kids

Everyone needs some motivation from time to time and when it comes to getting a child to do something, it can be difficult to say the least. Younger children don’t realize that what we try to get them to do is actually in their best interests and by the time they hit adolescence, they have their own priorities. So what can we do to encourage them to do something?

We can achieve this by first asking our kids to do something instead of ordering them to do what we want. “Could you please clear the kitchen table?” Next we explain why we’re asking them by setting our request into context. “We are done eating and need the dirty dishes put in the dishwasher so they can get cleaned.” Present them with options, not threats. “You could either do it now, or when you’ve finished your dessert.” If they have not agreed to help you by this point, confirm their non-compliance. “So you don’t want to clear the table?” If they still refuse, now is the time to take appropriate action. Explain to them that you can help them and the job will go quicker that way. Or if they are really misbehaving, a time out or other repercussions may result.

There is no fool-proof way to motivate our children into acting or performing a certain way, but by reasonably guiding them towards a desired outcome you can avoid starting off with an argument.

 

 

Child Fitness, Child Health, SYN Digital Enrollment Director

Make A Healthy And Quick Breakfast For Kids

We’ve all been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It gives us energy, improves brain function, and primes our metabolism for the day. But children can be hard to please when it comes to giving them the nutrition they need. That’s why  it’s important that we make a tasty, healthy, and quick breakfast for kids.

I know what you’re thinking. “Sure that sounds good now, but my kids never have the time for breakfast.” I can relate, which is why I’ve compiled a list of fast and healthy breakfast foods for kids on the go.

Plain yogurt is high in fiber and has good bacteria that helps aid digestion but quite frankly, tastes like sour cream. Adding honey, granola, nuts and fruit to the mix will make it much more kid friendly while also adding other vitamins and nutrients that your kids can eat while getting ready for the day.

Scrambled eggs are a great source of protein and can be made in minutes. One way to make them more wholesome is to add a splash of milk and some low-fat shredded cheese. This makes for a creamy egg that has both protein and calcium. No time to sit at the table and eat? Heat a soft tortilla shell, dice some bell peppers into the eggs, then spread the eggs and peppers into the shell. Top with some fresh salsa (at least that’s what I do) and you’ve got eggs on the go.

Fruit smoothies are easy to whip up, and because you are making them, you can eliminate the sugars and preservatives found in store bought drinks. Cut up your kids favorite fruits and blend them with low-fat milk or juice and you’ve got a sippable breakfast that kids can even help make.

Another quick breakfast for kids is oatmeal. Like plain yogurt, is boring on it’s own but has fiber and “sticks to your ribs” as my mom always says. Try adding fruits (blueberries, apples, bananas, strawberries) honey, cinnamon, or a dash of maple syrup. It’s quick, filling, and healthy.

There are also plenty of healthy cold cereals that are quick and nutritious. Just be sure to avoid the overly sweetened chocolate, “fruit flavored” and marshmallow varieties.

Preparing breakfast the night before can always help too. Cut up a fruit salad, bake some homemade bread (banana, cranberry/orange, and zucchini all taste great) or make and freeze pancakes that are just as fast as store bought brands while also being healthier provided you go easy on the butter and syrup.

Breakfast is indeed the the most important meal of the day. It gets us going and keeps your kids full at school so they can better concentrate on learning. The best news is that a quick breakfast for kids doesn’t take up your whole morning or leave them with only unhealthy options.

Try some ideas out and let us know what you think! Better yet, share your ideas for healthy on-the-go breakfast ideas.

Child Fitness, Child Health, Child Nutrition, Fitness, SYN Digital Enrollment Director

Big Game Tomorrow? Eat Right Tonight

What are you doing the night before a big sporting event? If you want to perform at your best level tomorrow, the food you eat tonight can have a positive impact tomorrow.

It’s called carb-loading, and it’s the best way to make sure your body has the reserve of energy that will be needed. It’s the physiological reason that high school swim teams hold spaghetti-feeds the night before a meet.

Here’s why: The body stores carbohydrates in the short term as glycogen, which, with exercise, is converted to energy-giving glucose. An athlete may consume up to 1,000 calories on a meal consisting of spaghetti with sauce (one that has little or no meat), two dinner rolls, a salad and apple juice.

Going with a tested-and-true favorite like spaghetti is wise, because most athletes like to have a meal that holds no surprises, like stomach upset.

Dessert is just fine, even chocolate. But stay away from fatty indulgences, such as whipped cream. Sherbet and gelato are good choices, because they have a higher carbohydrate content than ice cream.

After a heavy meal like this you might get a little sleepy, which is also a good thing. Making sure you’re well rested, with at least 8 hours of sleep, will also help sharpen your competitive edge.

Child Health, Child Nutrition, Child Obesity, SYN Digital Enrollment Director

A Healthy Breakfast to Start the Day

As concerned parents it’s important that we look for breakfast cereals that are low in sugar but still contain at least 5 grams of fiber in one serving.

Eating a healthy breakfast is particularly important if your child is overweight or has trouble keeping their weight under control. No matter how rushed you and your children may be each morning, or even if your kids aren’t usually hungry in the morning, then you need to make breakfast a grab-and-go event. Offer foods that travel easily such as yogurt and trail mix or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole grain bread.

Kids and teens who skip breakfast are not only at risk for developing a weight problem, skipping this meal also leaves kids and teens tired and irritable during the day… and hungry. Studies have shown that children who don’t eat breakfast perform poorly under stressful conditions in school like taking tests, learning new concepts and peer pressure. And the hungrier they are, the more likely your kids are to reach for high calorie foods that aren’t very good for them.

Child Health, Child Obesity, SYN Digital Enrollment Director

Fix a Healthy Snack for Your Children

I don’t know why, but let’s say for some reason you went for that bag of potato chips instead of the carrots and hummus as your snack. All is not lost if you can find the time to burn off some of those extra calories with some additional activity. Just by spending a half an hour on the basketball or tennis court you could burn approximately 275 calories. You see, snacking in itself isn’t bad for us, as long as we’re mindful about what snacks we choose and how much of them eat.

As a rule of thumb, try to eat snacks that are low in fat, sugar and sodium. If you’ve been in the dark about how big a snack should be then you should know that about 100 calories is the norm. Doesn’t sound like much does it? Don’t worry, when you’re snacking on healthy food, 100 calories is more food than you think. For example, two Oreo cookies are about 100 calories. Twenty Lay’s potato chips (a serving size) add up to 150 calories. But healthy snacks that fit into the 100-calorie snack size include 1 cup of blueberries, a medium-sized banana, or a cup of carrots with 2 tablespoons of hummus for dipping.

Take the time to teach your kids to combine food groups in their snacks; this will add to a snack’s health factor. Protein and carbohydrates are a good pairing, think cheese and crackers, yogurt and fruit, because these types of combinations are filling enough to hold you over until your next meal.