We are constantly exposed to foreign bodies from the environment, with the respiratory system, digestive system and skin all providing a barrier to protect us from the outside world. Ordinarily, the immune system does an amazing job detecting these foreign bodies and neutralising them so that they do not cause harm to our body. However, for some kids, their immune system has an abnormal response that causes unwanted symptoms. When this happens we refer to these substances as ‘allergens’. Fortunately, with targeted treatment, the allergic process can be modified, helping your child to become less reactive to substances they have always...

If you want to substitute traditional white flour in your favourite recipes, the following guide will help you. Please note, it's not always easy to swap around flour alternatives. In some recipes you may need a little more liquid. If the mixture needs thickening, you may need to add addition starch such as cornstarch, arrowroot powder or tapioca. Have fun experimenting with your recipes and use the following as a loose guideline.   For every 1 cup of white flour, substitute with the following...

Here is an easy way to substitute eggs if your child is allergic or needs to avoid them. Please note, if a recipe requires more than two eggs, these substitutes will not be as effective.   CHIA SEEDS 1 tablespoon (15ml) chia seeds + 4 tablespoons (60ml) water = 1 egg Allow to rest for 10 minutes   GROUND FLAXSEEDS 1 tablespoon (15ml) ground flaxseeds + 3 tablespoons = 1 egg Allow to rest for 10 minutes   Banana 1/2 medium banana = 1 egg   Applesauce 1/4 cup (60ml) unsweetened apple sauce = 1 egg   Naturopathy Can Help With the Following Childhood Conditions Fiona provides tailored health plans based on a multitude of factors relevant...

The easiest way to prepare your family a delicious, simple and nourishing meal is to have a well-stocked pantry. It’s easy to whip up a nutritious meal without using packet sauces. It's satisfying and inexpensive to make a salad dressing from scratch or a quick snack when you have the basics on hand. Stocking up on everything all at once can be expensive, so buy 1 or 2 things each week. Here’s a list of my pantry basics, the top 5 are the ones I recommend you start with. My Top 5 ingredients Good quality celtic sea salt (greyish...

Protein is an essential macronutrient for children of all age groups. It not only helps the body build, maintain, and repair cells, but it’s also important a robust immune system and all of the body’s muscles, including their heart.    Protein requirements change as your child gets older but how much do they need?.   A good rule of thumb is that kids need the thickness and the size of the palm of their hand with each meal.   Very active children may need a little more protein, but kids generally don’t need as much protein as an adult.   If you’re worried about your child is not...

Most kids just love to talk about their poop and kind it a fascinating topic. Doing number two's might not be the prettiest topic, but there’s a lot to learn from this mundane, yet mysterious, process. In the end (no pun intended), it’s simply a part of our functioning body.   Poop is mostly just undigested food, proteins, bacteria, salts, and other substances that are produced and released by intestines. Although everyone is unique in the size, shape, and smell of their poop, there are a few things that indicate a healthy (or unhealthy) poop.   Poop that floats Gas is usually the cause for floaters. ...

More and more, research is showing that the microbiome (i.e. your gut bacteria) is foundational for your child's good health, especially when it comes to having a robust immune system. For example, the gut bacteria coordinates how active the immune system is (which is important for fighting off infections), while also ensuring your child's immune system doesn’t become over-active when exposed to things that are foreign to the body (e.g. allergies). Your child's gut bacteria is also important for maintaining digestive health. As such, when the balance of healthy species within our gut bacteria is lost (due to the effects...

  When cooking food, apart from taste, the main consideration is to keep the vitamin and mineral content intact as much as possible.  To preserve the precious nutritional content, cook at lower temperatures and if required, for a longer period of time.  Try to avoid frying at high temperatures as this essentially destroys the nutrients. Ideal cooking methods Minimise or avoid these cooking methods Braising Boiling, especially overcooking Poaching *Baking (if food becomes burnt) Sautéing *Barbecuing (if food becomes burnt) Simmering *Frying at high temperatures Steaming *Grilling (if food becomes burnt) Stewing   *Burnt or charred food can cause inflammation which causes damage the gut wall.  Remove burnt bits from food before consuming. Fiona's Tip:  Avoid cooking...

Worms are highly contagious and easily spread between children when scratching their bottom and then carrying the eggs back to their mouths with their hands.  They are also spread by touching contaminated surfaces, such as bed linen, underwear, pyjamas, toilets, food, cutlery, toys, bench tops and sand pits.  The ingested eggs hatch in the gut where they start to replicate. Worms can also travel into the vagina and into the reproductive tract which can also be difficult to treat. You can see threadworms if you examine your child at night while they are asleep.  Simply separate your child’s buttocks and shine a...

Becoming familiar with your kid’s poos can really help you keep an eye on their health - it's not the most glamorous job in the world! The ideal poop is a long sausage-like poop that they can pass easily and clean with 1 – 2 wipes. Their poops shouldn’t be watery soft and mushy (read up on diarrhoea). Nor should they be hard and pellet-like (learn more on constipation) - a one-off every now and again is mostly not a problem. But if you’re noticing your child's poop has changed recently or have never been well formed, I suggest taking...

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