IN BRIEF

• The Facts:

  The chemical ingredients found in instant potatoes and instant stuffing mixes affect the nervous system and often make brain fog and hyperactivity worse. They are loaded with preservatives such as sodium bisulfate, BHA/BHT, and MSG.

• Reflect On:

  What are you planning on eating/ serving this Thanksgiving? Are there healthier (but still tasty) alternatives to some of what you plan on eating?

As a mother, award-winning author and licensed psychotherapist, I advise parents to prepare homemade recipes this Thanksgiving. When treating moody, hyper, anxious, sleepless and unfocused children, it is imperative to improve nutritional status and avoid chemicals. Although appearing easier, convenient holiday foods can derail plans for a pleasant holiday get-together.

This is because processed foods contains preservatives, artificial food dyes, and neurotoxic chemicals which can cause bad behaviour.

The Ills of Instant Foods

My book titled, Healing Without Hurting reveals that instant foods are loaded with food additives, which cause and aggravate ADD/ADHD and behavioural symptoms. The chemical ingredients found in instant potatoes and instant stuffing mixes affect the nervous system and often make brain fog and hyperactivity worse. They are loaded with preservatives such as sodium bisulfate, BHA/BHT, and MSG. They also contain hydrogenated “GMO” soybean oil and corn syrup, maltodextrin (sometimes wheat-derived, causing concern for people with gluten intolerance), and dairy. Instant mashed potatoes and stuffing also include high sodium content and artificial flavours.

Well known Food Babe blogger Vani Hari agrees. Her blog post about the chemical horrors in classic Thanksgiving meals discusses the harmful effects of Sodium Bisulfite, BHA, and many of the other preservatives found in Betty Crocker’s Creamy Butter Potatoes and Hungry Jack’s Mashed Potatoes.  She writes, “No one should be consuming BHA. It is linked to cancer, fertility issues and kidney problems. It is also considered a carcinogen by U.S. Health and Human Services. Yet the FDA still allows it in our food.”

As we can see, trying to save time and money is backfiring on us in a huge way. Our health is at risk.  Not only causing mental health issues, but many diseases as well.

The Problem Continues

We then turn to potentially dangerous medication to address our symptoms. Medication that contains even more chemicals. This only adds to our toxic burden, which causes more symptoms. Thus, the vicious cycle continues. Therefore,  it is important that we leap out of the confides of conventional thinking and begin exploring other options. We must learn the benefits of healthy eating, nutritional balancing, Eastern Medicine practices like acupuncture, juicing, and plant medicine.

In fact, most people don’t realize that all medications are derived from plants, trees, stems, roots and leaves. Scientists recreate nature in a lab, add chemicals and call it medication – hence the side-effects. It is time we return to tradition.

The Solution

It is time to begin buying whole food ingredients and cooking healthy meals instead of relying on boxed food. Let’s start this Thanksgiving!

I challenge everyone that was planning on opening a box this Thanksgiving, to check out these easy homemade recipes instead. And, I also encourage everyone to read my book if they’d like to develop healthier practices for the home.

Learn more about my family’s healing journey (including everything that has worked for me and many of my clients) in my book Healing Without Hurting. And if you’re looking for more personalized solutions and support, Dr. Brad Ellisor and I have launched a new Private Group geared to giving you the personal attention and answers you need, you can access that group here.