Brenda Bradshaw is one of the authors of “The Good Food Book for Families”. It holds such valuable information for parents on eating wholesome foods. In the last few years of seeing a naturopath something that they said a number of years ago has so stuck with me and that’s, “if it doesn’t come in its own whole package you probably should avoid eating it.” Peaches are a great example. They come whole naturally and in cans so which one do you choose? Well, clearly the whole peach comes packed in its own container and is ready to go. It holds no preservatives just its own wonderful natural juices.

It is my pleasure to welcome Brenda to my blog. I’ve asked her to give us a little more information about the book and really it is a great addition to my bookshelf. Thanks so much Brenda.

I’d like to thank you for being here on the blog. I had one question for you before you begin to tell us more about the book. What was your inspiration for writing the book?

My concern for the health of our children inspired me to co-author both “The Baby’s Table” and “The Good Food Book for Families”. We are in the throws of a childhood obesity epidemic, and as a result this is the first generation not expected to live longer than their parents. It is my belief that the introduction of fast food restaurants and processed foods is in part responsible for the declining health of our children. In writing these books I wanted to take a back-to-the-basics approach to feeding. I want to teach parents how easy it can be to make delicious, nutritious home cooked meals for their families. I believe healthy eating is essential for the proper development of growing children, providing the fuel they need to reach their intellectual and physical potential.

If you are like many parents, you are trying to balance your child’s schedules and your own. Fast food and package meals have become a way of life for many busy families. While convenient this way of eating comes at a cost: Childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes are on the rise, while children are being deprived of the benefits of real food. In writing both “The Baby’s Table” and “The Good Food Book for Families” we wanted to teach parent how easy it can be to cook nutritious, delicious home cooked meals for their families.

One of the best ways to ensure your family is eating a healthy diet is to stress the importance of whole foods, that is foods that are in their natural state and have not been processed. Frozen fruits and vegetables and some whole grain breakfast cereals are examples of nutritious processed foods. However, processing often relies on the use of chemicals to make the food look better, last longer and taste better. Foods that are highly processed tend to be high in salts, sugars, fats and chemical additives with minimal nutritional value. In fact, some additives are actually harmful. Sodium benzoate and a number of commonly used food dyes have been proven to cause hyperactivity in children.

Because of this highly processed foods should not be a part of your child’s daily diet. Instead of serving a dinner of packaged chicken nuggets and fries, try a grilled chicken breast, brown rice, vegetable sticks and a glass of milk. Preparing whole foods may take a little longer but, the results will have lifelong benefits for your family’s health.

Healthy eating is all about moderation and balance. Make a concerted effort to serve nutritious whole foods on a daily basis, and don’t worry about the occasional birthday party. Eating cake and ice-cream is a wonderful part of childhood and, in moderation, can be part of a healthy diet. The nutritional choices of one day or meal can be balanced by choices made at other times. Be reassured that what you serve on a daily or even weekly basis will have a greater impact on your child’s future food choices and long-term health than any single meal. The goal is to raise children who not only understand healthy eating but also are likely to sustain these habits throughout their lifetime.

Much of above passage is excerpted from “The Good Food Book for Families” (Random House)by Brenda Bradshaw and Cheryl Mutch MD. This user friendly book contains 150 tasty, healthy recipes and great ideas for school lunches, snacks and family meals. The only book based on Canada’s new Food Guide, it also includes sidebars on topics such as allergies and the best foods for brain development.