Are Food Replacements Worth It?

Article At A Glance

Cooking & preparing “real” food can be a challenge, so food replacements are common
Most standard drinks & snacks are not healthy choices for immuno-compromised children

Our mission is to empower families to help alleviate the symptoms of autism by healing the body through proper nutrition and supplements. We know how important it is to fuel our systems with high quality protein, fats, and healthy carbs, but the truth is that meal planning, prepping, and cooking is time-consuming and can get pretty exhausting. In our busy culture of always being on the go, many people resort to quick fix food replacements to satisfy their hunger. Let’s take a look at some common foods choices (and identify some healthier options).

Drinks

Sodas are a common drink to reach for, but they’re high in sugar and should be avoided. Even “diet” sodas contain harmful artificial sweeteners and many of the same toxins in regular soda.

What about sports drinks? Some mistakenly think that Gatorade is a healthy choice because of its association with athletes. Sure it’s got electrolytes, but did you know that for many years, Gatorade contained brominated vegetable oil (BVO), which is a flame retardant that’s been banned in other countries? Gatorade, Powerade, and other sports drinks should also be avoided.

Juices are arguably the worst choice for drinks, as they have extremely high levels of sugar. Even organic juice has too much sugar to make it a viable option for immuno-compromised children.

Water and sparkling water are the best alternatives. Although it can take time to adjust away from other drinks, once a kid understands that water is the norm, they will begin to expect it and ask for it.

Cereal

Cereal is easy and fast, but unfortunately, it’s just not a good choice for our kids. With pesticides, sugar, and no real nutritional value, cereals (and really anything made in a factory) should be avoided. Thankfully, there are much better breakfast options available, such as eggs, avocado, uncured bacon, and even healthy pancakes!

Snacks

Goldfish, crackers, and fruit snacks are typical snacks to munch on these days, but not surprisingly, they’re not ideal for gut health. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: don’t eat foods that are manufactured or contain artificial coloring. Thankfully, there are some great alternatives for healthier snacks: things like apples, organic corn chips, grass-fed beef jerky, and almonds can satisfy a craving without irritating the gut.

*This website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by a healthcare professional.