Health Gazelle: A Mother's Perspective on Food

A Mother's Perspective on Food

Reposted here with permission from the original author, Jody Pittner

"It seems to me that our three basic needs, for food, security and love, are so mixed and mingled and entwined that we cannot straightly think of one without the others. So it happens that when I write of hunger, I am really writing about love and the hunger for it, and warmth and the love of it and the hunger for it ... and then the warmth and richness and fine reality of hunger satisfied ... and it is all one."

-- M.F.K. Fisher, from The Art of Eating

As a mother, I hold within me the noble task of nourishing my young. From the first suckle at the breast to the first Cheerio gobbled down, our children learn to be loved and nurtured by their mothers through food. Positive experiences with food foster a sense of security and satisfaction in the infant, which translates to childhood and beyond. It is truly a gift to see the nutrition we provide to our children as a loving act. It can bring more meaning to what we do for our families and give a sense of empowerment to us in the care of a child with special needs.

One of the most powerful tools we have to help our children is in our pantries and refrigerators right now. Food quite literally becomes the human body through the amazing and constant process of cellular regeneration. IF we can begin to use food as a way of supporting our children's growth and development, we may quite literally change their bodies and the way they think and interact with food as they age. When we make healthy changes to our eating habits, we help our bodies function better and we begin to see our lives change. This is important work in a family and the single greatest investment we will ever make.

Though I am by no means a registered dietician, I began experimenting with nutrition in my life long before either of my children came along. I have found I am sensitive to dairy and wheat and feel better when I try to avoid it. I have taken caffeine out of my diet and have seen amazing changes to my cycles and hormones. I have also noticed the less sugar I eat the more energy I have. I have learned through reading and experimentation that using as much organic, natural vegetables, fruit and even meats as possible (yes, we do eat at Wendy's sometimes) reduces toxins in the body and helps on so many levels it may be impossible to calculate the benefits. It has been my experience that simply being aware of our bodies and its response to food is an important factor in health and well-being. I believe this dedication to nutrition for ourselves and our children is the single greatest gift we can give. What's more, I believe it is critical in the care of a child with cystic fibrosis.

Quite frankly, the advice I have heard, with my own ears, to fill up my child with cream, Twinkies, french fries, and basically any type of high calorie, high fat food, made me almost fall off my chair. While there is no "perfect" menu, taking the time to experiment and understand what works best for your CF child and family is a great goal. While no study can prove food adds years to our children's lives (at least not yet), better food is a bet I'm willing to take with my son's health. I just can not stand silent while this misguided advice is given, sometimes at the very first appointment with a nutritionist. How on earth can this make good sense?

Asking questions or disregarding some advice we receive does not mean not adding calories to their diets to ensure they are getting the extra calories recommended for their daily intake. What it does mean is that we begin to try other ways to add calories which better support the CF body, particularly in regards to inflammation.

When I created CF Nutrition4Life, I wanted to help others believe in their power to create meals and snacks that are both beneficial and calorie-rich, while just as healthy for the rest of the family. I wanted people to know that they not alone in this effort. We are all trying to make our way through this world and encouraging each other is what I hope happens on the site.

Though none of us can definitively (scientifically) say good health is solely due to nutrition, supplements, and the complimentary therapies we choose, as a mother, I know it help my son. Our whole family is healthier since we began eating an anti-inflammatory diet and understanding what foods help or hinder each of us. I believe this helps our son as well since we all tend to bring home less bugs.

I hope you find the site inspiring, helpful, and useful in your journey toward greater and prolonged health.

Warmly,

Jody Pittner
Editor of www.CFNutrition4Life.com

Email Michele

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