There's no supplement that can replace a good nutrient foundation through their diet. -Jess Donovan

Want to hear from a naturopath from down under?

Jess Donovan, with her lovely Aussie accent, shares all sorts of goodness with us today on the Healthy Parenting Handbook, like:

  • favorite immunity-boosting foods to recommend to busy families
  • the best way to get probiotics integrated into your family
  • common nutrient deficiencies in kids (and what you can do to seek the best balance)
  • food allergy management, whether the allergy is IN your family or just around you
  • how mom’s health may be related to her kids’

And so much more!

Jess hosts an online masterclass where you’ll discover 3 PROVEN ways to TRANSFORM your Kids GUT HEALTH to improve their behavior, fussy eating, immunity, and allergies. Grab your FREE spot here!

Video or audio? For the first 5 years, this show “The Healthy Parenting Connector” was a video interview series. You can still watch the video, but NOW it’s also a podcast, renamed “Healthy Parenting Handbook.” Find all the episodes here or listen on your favorite podcast player:

Don’t forget to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts too! Thank you!

 

 

Can’t see the video? Click to watch “Finding Nutrient Balance for Kids” on YouTube.

The timestamps will match up with the video rather than the audio podcast, but they should be close!

No time to watch the whole video? Here are the notes!

Nutrient Balance for Families

  • 0:05: Today I have Jess Donovan with me on the Healthy Parenting Handbook. She’s joining me from Australia! Jess is a naturopath and mom to 2 who founded the Natural Super Kids Klub.
  • 1:24: Jess went on a 13-month RV trip with her family. She tells us a bit about where they went.
  • 2:26: While they were traveling Jess had to work around some challenges to eating healthy. They went to some remote locations without ready access to fresh produce and she didn’t have an oven.
  •  4:01: Jess shares some of the things she observed in her kids during their trip.

Foods that Boost Immunity in Kids

  • 5:11: Two big health worries parents have are too much sugar and germs. They actually play into each other since too much sugar decreases immunity.

It’s like pouring water in a bucket full of holes if you’re giving immune-boosting supplements while your diet and lifestyle suppress immunity.  -Jess Donovan

  • 6:18: Focus on foods high in antioxidants to boost immunity. Lots of colorful fruits and vegetables. Cooking depletes the antioxidant levels so be sure you provide some raw options as well.
  • 7:17: Fermented foods are also good for immune function. You don’t need a lot. Start with a bite of sauerkraut on something else your child likes. Coconut water kefir is very child-friendly.

Getting lots of color on the plate is great for kids' immunity. -Jess Donovan

one-page cheat sheets for the Healthy Parenting Handbook

Do you forget everything immediately? (My hand is raised …)

That’s why we created the one-page summaries of each podcast episode, in a simple Google Doc so there’s nothing to download.

Print them off and make yourself an actual handbook or just view online and search for what you want!

GET THE CHEAT SHEETS NOW

Common Nutrient Deficiencies in Kids

  • 11:02: Jess has a quiz to help you narrow down what area of health your child needs to focus on. I had one of my kids take it and nutrient intake came up. We talk about common nutrient deficiencies in kids. Omega 3s, iron, iodine, and zinc are the most common deficiencies Jess sees in the kids she works with.

There's no supplement that can replace a good nutrient foundation through their diet. -Jess Donovan

  • 12:49: Focusing on whole real foods is the best way to prevent nutrient deficiencies.

Anything that comes out of a package is going to be nutrient depleted. Food that comes straight from nature is going to be more nutrient-dense. -Jess Donovan

  • 13:18: The types of grains kids eat can affect their nutrient status as well. Switching from refined grains to whole grains will help add nutrition and get them used to different tastes.
  • 14:04: Animal products can be very nutrient-dense if you choose the right ones. Red meat and seafood contain the nutrients that Jess commonly sees as deficiencies. Chicken is versatile and many families focus on that, but it’s not as nutrient-dense.
  • 15:32: It’s good to get professional help before blindly supplementing your kids. Even if you don’t have testing done, at least have someone look over the child’s diet to see where the gaps may be. That said, the majority of the kids Jess sees are on a multivitamin and omega-3 supplements.
  • 16:49: Jess gives a super handy visual to know how large a serving of meat is.

Three-quarters of your plate should be veggies. -Jess Donovan

Food Allergies and Sensitivities

  • 17:38: Allergies are on the rise in the younger generation. Many times the allergies and sensitivities point back to poor gut health.

Allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities are all symptoms of something deeper. -Jess Donovan

  • 18:36: Jess goes through some symptoms of food allergies and sensitivities.

Microbiome diversity is one of the most protective things against allergies. -Jess Donovan

  • 19:54: It can be really tricky when you’re bringing food to shared events and trying to be considerate of others with allergies. A fruit or veggie plate is often a safe choice.

Wish you didn’t have to feel nervous when your kids ask to use knives?

JOIN KATIE FOR A FREE LESSON

Epigenetics and Generational Health

  • 21:22: We go into some research showing the generational impacts of health. Epigenetics is how genes express themselves. This is so fascinating!

If we have a healthy diet and a clean lifestyle that's going to benefit future generations. -Jess Donovan

  • 23:40: All this information can easily lead to guilt if we weren’t living a healthy lifestyle in the past, or we can use it to make better decisions in the future and nourish our kids well.

Connecting with Kids in the Kitchen

  • 25:32: Of course, we talk about the benefits of kids learning to cook! 😉
  • 27:37: So many kids aren’t connected with their food. I’ve heard of kids who have no idea what animal different meats come from or can’t identify a carrot unless it’s a baby carrot.
  • 29:11: The kitchen is a great place to connect with your kids as well.
  • 29:34: Jess shares the top thing she wants you to focus on after listening to this!

Resources We Mention for Balancing Nutrition

Jess DonovanJess is a Naturopath and mom of 2 kids who founded the Natural Super Kids Klub and is Australia’s resource for transforming children’s health in ways that are easy for parents to understand and implement. She believes children are not simply smaller versions of adults but have unique biochemical needs, require good nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits to support their rapid growth ensure that they lay down essential foundations for a long and healthy life. She is all about backpacking, travel and being out in nature and against mama guilt – so she’ll celebrate each step with you as you try to help your child thrive!

Balanced Nutrition for Kids