Getting Greener

I was recently at a buffet with my son, when I saw a young girl pointing to some buffalo meatballs. “I want those,” she said to her mother. “But I don’t want any of the green stuff.” The offending greens were tiny flecks of parsley, barely discernable, and yet totally unsightly to her.

My little guy, Ilan, used to pick steamed kale and spinach off his tray. He’d happily pop whole florets of broccoli into his mouth, until recently that is. And, I always knew this day, when he would dislike greens, would come.

The green pigment found in plants, leaves, and algae is known as chlorophyll; the key element found in chlorophyll is magnesium. Chlorophyll has many positive health benefits, such as:

1) Assisting with the growth and repair of tissues

2) Providing a good source of vitamins A, C and E

3) Stimulating red blood cells to improve oxygen supply throughout the body

Greens provide a significant source of vitamins and minerals that our growing children require for healthy development, and yet most children go through short or prolonged periods of disliking the colour green found in these nutrient rich foods. Try not to worry about this behaviour, as it is usually only temporary.

At WeeMunch we suggest, however difficult this may be, that you never give up on offering lightly steamed greens such as broccoli, spinach, kale, Swiss chard in their natural form. Persistence, patience, and being a good influence by enjoying the same foods you want your children to eat are important factors for encouraging healthy eating habits in your children.

During these fussy periods, you can offer your little one good whole food supplements such as chlorella, spirulina and blue/green algae (i.e. E3Live, found in the freezer section of most health food stores). You can add small amounts to their milk, juice, water, yogurt, avocado or add to their food after it has been cooked to preserve the enzymes found within.

Important Note: Green whole food supplements can be very powerful, and because of the high magnesium content, can promote diarrhea. To prevent this and instead to promote maximum absorption, introduce whole food supplements slowly. Begin with the tiniest sprinkling of powder or liquid and work your way up to ¼ of a teaspoon per day over several weeks.