Did you see this in the Guardian (UK Newspaper) at the end of 2005? This piece of research could have implications for some of the changes you might want to make sooner rather than later to your own childrens diet.

"...Researchers at the University of Liverpool examined the toxic effects on nerve cells in the laboratory of using a combination of four common food additives - aspartame, monosodium glutamate (MSG) and the artificial colourings brilliant blue and quinoline yellow. The findings of their two-year study were published last week in the journal Toxicological Sciences.

The Liverpool team reported that when mouse nerve cells were exposed to MSG and brilliant blue or aspartame and quinoline yellow in laboratory conditions, combined in concentrations that theoretically reflect the compound that enters the bloodstream after a typical children's snack and drink, the additives stopped the nerve cells growing and interfered with proper signalling systems..."
(source: The Guardian, Wednesday December 21, 2005)

Many packet snack foods - crisps, processed cheese, pot noodles, etc., etc., contain MSG, and these widely used colors and aspartame are common in many fizzy pop drinks, colas, slush puppies, etc., etc.

Both MSG and aspartame are aso acknowledged as being 'excito-toxins' - which means they have the effect of stimulating (or exciting) cancer cells making them more mobile - and leading to faster spread and metastasizing (when cells from a tumor detach and travel around the body, going on to start new tumours in other organs).

Children develop dietary habits and preferences thanks to the influence of their peers (friends at school, for instance), and most importantly through the example set, and the typical dietary practices, of their family. So Mums and Dads carry a great burden of responsibility for ensuring that their childrens diets are adequate and sensible - setting them up for a healthy life ahead.

So do your kids a favor and choose safer alternative snacks - Get synthetic chemicals out of their diet...and out of their lives as much as possible, in all the ways you can find. This means that your childrens diet is just one area to look to to reduce chemical exposures... In fact make sure to take a look, also, at our acrylamide article as that will have a bearing on some of the things your kids might like! Check out the first of the "Raw Food" diet items we will be featuring - which includes an interesting video interview with one of today's leading advocates for eating more 'raw foods' - David Wolfe

GO TO: Top of 'Childrens Diet' page