News Moms Need

I’m at the point now where I ask myself that question almost on a daily basis. I think it’s safe to say that this has become a really bad habit. I’ve run out of ideas and I’m bored with what I make. Pasta. Chicken. Fish. Repeat. I like to shop for fresh veggies and meats, but end up throwing a lot of it away because with only two people we just don’t get to all of it. I hate wasting food. In a perfect world I would have the energy to plan our meals each week — a variety of healthy dishes that taste delicious and are effortless to prepare. I would make batches of things and freeze them. But sadly, I don’t do these things. On nights when my husband works late I usually just pour myself a bowl of cereal and call it a day. Now that I’m introducing solids into my daughter’s diet I need to work on my culinary skills and get organized. I want her to develop healthy eating habits right from the start and I know that I’m the one responsible for establishing that. I wish cooking didn’t feel like such a chore though. Maybe I should take a class. What are you having for dinner?

Do you get a knot in your stomach when you hear about people getting sick from eating unsafe hamburger meat? Do you worry when you hear that some canned food has been recalled?

Well, now there’s one place to help you get answers. Several federal agencies are working together on a new Web site about food safety.  Everything in one place. Great idea!

And here are some March of Dimes resources:

   * Food-borne risks in pregnancy
   * Food safety dring pregnancy
   * Feeding and food safety for baby

Plum Organics has recalled one batch of its Apple & Carrot Portable Pouch baby food. The company is concerned that the food may be contaminated with the bacteria that can cause botulism. Botulism can be a life-threatening disease.

The following code appears on the bottom of the packages: 890180001221. The food has been sold at Toys-R-Us and Babies-R-Us stores.

No illnesses have been reported. The recall is a precaution.

Symptoms of botulism include weakness, dizziness, double vision and trouble speaking or swallowing. People with these problems should get medical care immediately.

Cystic fibrosis (CF)  is a serious inherited disease that affects the lungs and makes it hard to digest food.

In the United States, about 1 out of every 3,500 babies is born with CF. It is most common among people who are white.

CF carrier screening tests identify men and women who carry an abnormal gene for CF. This means that their babies might inherit the disease.

To inherit cystic fibrosis, a child must receive two abnormal CF genes, one from each parent. A CF carrier is a healthy person who has one normal CF gene and one abnormal CF gene.

Health care providers routinely offer a carrier screening test to men and women who have a family history of CF. Many providers also offer the test to all couples who are planning pregnancy or are pregnant. Couples must decide for themselves if testing is right for them.

To take the test, men and women provide a blood or saliva sample.

An improved carrier screening test was recently announced. It can detect 39 genetic mutations that can lead to CF.

For more info about CF and carrier screening, talk to your health care provider.

For years, health care providers have told thirsty women in labor, ”Sorry. All you can have is ice chips.” But good news, change is on the way!

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently announced that it is changing its guidelines. Women can now have small amounts of clear liquids during labor, if they wish. Examples of these liquids are water, fruit juice without pulp, sodas, clear tea, black coffee and sports drinks.

Women are still not allowed to have solid food. Why? If a woman needs a c-section and has anesthesia, the food could accidentally get into her lungs and cause a serious medical problem.

For more info, read the ACOG news release.

When I was little, I had asthma and a serious cough. My doctor thought I might be allergic to strawberries, shrimp and tomatoes. So I didn’t eat those foods for much of my childhood. And I really loved strawberries; still do.

But according to new research, my doctor’s theory may have been wrong. Food allergies are often misdiagnosed in children.

Researchers gave 125 children with allergies and eczema (a skin condition) “food challenge” tests. Surprise! Most of the kids could tolerate the foods they had been told to avoid. The study was done by National Jewish Hospital in Denver.

In a food challenge test, a person eats the foods he’s supposedly allergic to, under the supervision of a doctor. The doctor watches for reactions and is ready to provide treatment, if it’s needed. The test is expensive, but many insurance companies pay for it.

Sometimes blood tests are used to diagnose food allergies. But blood tests alone may not be enough for a solid diagnosis. A person may need blood tests, skin tests and food challenges before a diagnosis can be confirmed. It’s also good for patients to talk to their doctors about reactions they have.

If your child has been diagnosed with a food allergy on the basis of only a blood or skin test, you may want to speak to the doctor to see if more testing may be appropriate.

For more information, read Food Allergies and Baby on the March of Dimes Web site.

Times are tough for a lot of us. And if you’re like me, you’re looking through the household budget to see where you can trim expenses. One area I’m able to cut costs is grocery shopping.

The New York Times published an article earlier this month about eating well on a downsized budget. The story had some great tips on how to eat healthy while reducing your food budget. You can also check out our previous posts on food shopping on a budget (Part 1 and Part 2) for other helpful ideas.

I dropped by my local Dunkin’ Donuts the other morning (I confess; I had a pumpkin doughnut). And there was a little sign saying that some of their products contain nuts. This gentle warning, in DD’s bright orange and pink, was for people who have nut allergies. Food allergies are on the rise in the United States, and no one really knows why.

In the United States, 4 to 6 out of every 100 children under the age of 4 are allergic to at least one food. Most allergic reactions are mild. But a small number are very serious and even life threatening. In the worst cases, the blood pressure drops, and the person has trouble breathing.

Dr. Anthony S. Fauci of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) says, “Little is known about why only some people develop food allergies.” So the NIH has funded 12 new studies at medical institutions across the country. According to The New York Times, some scientists say this will be the most comprehensive research on food allergies ever conducted.

To learn about the eight foods that cause most food allergy reactions, read the March of Dime article Food Allergies and Baby.

Back in the day, I was one of those kids who always had the sniffles. Part of the problem was food allergies. So the doctor said I had to avoid certain food, including chocolate. No candy bars! It was the worst! 

Food allergies in children appear to be increasing in the U.S., according to the National Center for Health Statistics. In 2007, 4 out of every 100 children had a food allergy. Between 1997 and 2006, food allergy rates increased among preschoolers and older children. Hospitalizations related to food allergies have also gone up.

No one knows why the numbers are increasing. But one factor may be that parents are now more likely to take their child to a doctor when they suspect food allergies.

Some of the common signs of food allergies are hives, itchy skin, coughing, wheezing, runny nose, diarrhea amd nausea. The best way to prevent a reaction is to avoid the food you’re allergic to. 

Children with food allergies are more likely than other kids to develop respiratory problems, including asthma. So if you think your child may have a food allergy, talk to her health care provider.

To learn more, read Food Allergies and Baby on the March of Dimes Web site.

I’m so glad to be back at work today. I usually love long, holiday weekends, but I’m exhausted and I ate horribly the entire time. Saturday we celebrated my niece’s birthday with burgers and ice cream cake. Sunday night my husband and I rented a movie and ordered a pizza. For Labor Day we went to my sister-in-law’s. We spent the day on the beach (I didn’t drink enough water) and went to a seafood place for dinner. Every single thing on the menu was deep fried.

I have a headache and my tummy feels awful. My midwife would not be happy. Her practice is very nutrition-centered and I usually try to be, too. I’m chugging water and can’t wait to go to my Yoga class tonight. I had a small apple and multi-grain toast for breakfast. I’m planning to have a big green salad for lunch. I don’t know about dinner yet, but I’m thinking a light soup. I brought two snacks with me: low-fat yogurt and carrot sticks. I need to get back on track.

It’s amazing how food impacts the way I feel. Do you know what I mean?