Beyond Jello and Ice Cream

My kids are now down eight wisdom teeth. This happened the day after we returned from three days of freshman orientation, which were three days where Harry scrambled to eat well even though we'd forgotten to speak to the school's dietitian before arriving on campus. He came home anxious to start eating a better diet, and then we were left with first a liquid diet and then a soft foods diet. The oral surgeon mentioned jello and ice-cream. I'd have to turn in my business cards if I went that route! Aside from that when your body needs to heal, you need good nutrition, not empty calories To his credit, the doctor also mentioned soup - but most of us eat prepared soups, loaded with salt and flavor, but not loaded with nutrition.

So, what's a health coach and mom of a kid with multiple food allergies to do? Especially one who's active and needs a lot of calories to keep him going? Fortunately, my creativity was sparked by the challenge.

The night before the extractions I made vegetable soup. Veggies are packed with phytonutrients. Most Americans are overnourished when it comes to macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fats) but undernourished when it comes to micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, antioxidents). Phytonutrients are the micronutrients that come from plants. I'd also laid in a supply of fruit. So far, so good, but I knew I'd need more.


Right after the extractions, the kids needed food, but their stomaches weren't ready for much. Clear vegetable broth did the trick. Later in the day, the soup with pureed vegetables added more fiber and was more filling. Still later, when they needed more calories, I pureed a can of Great Northern beans into the soup.


Smoothies were also in order and again I stepped them up. My usual smoothie recipe goes like this: 1 T chia seeds in 1 cup water (soaked for 15 minutes so the seeds gel - you want to do this step so the seeds aren't absorbing water while inside you) Chia seeds have a lot of ALA, a form of Omega 3's. Then I add 1 T of cod liver oil (for EPA and DHA, two other forms of Omega 3's, not present in plant sources). Omega 3's are essential fatty acids, meaning you have to eat them, your body has no way of making it (contrast that with Vitamin D which if you get enough sunlight, your body produces on it's own). Research is showing that most of the diseases in our country (heart disease, diabetes, cancer) are due to inflammation, Omega 3's are anti-inflammatory. Ok, back to the smoothie, I then add a T of either psyllium husk or freshly ground flax seeds (for fiber and flax has Omega 3's), a banana and either berries (which are a low sugar fruit) or cherries. I whip it all up in a blender. However, to fill Harry's stomach, I added almond butter. You could also add peanut butter. Some people even add avocado. I've been known to throw greens in my smoothies, but know that Harry prefers I not (I've been told that you won't even taste spinach in a smoothie, but haven't tried it yet).

I cranked out my juicer (Breville compact - an excellent, reasonably priced machine) and made carrot, kale, cucumber, celery, and green apple juice. 

By request, I made fresh apple sauce. This is the easiest thing in the world to make and is so much better than store bought. Peel and core as many apples as you like. Munch on peels as you go. Put cut up apples in a pot with 1/4 cup water. Cover and cook on medium low until the apples are soft and can be mashed with a fork. Depending on the type of apple the cooking time will vary. I use Macs and it's usually ready in 20 minutes. You can also add some cinnamon if you like. Added sugar of any type is totally unnecessary. Served warm it's the ultimate comfort food!


The next day, I made another soup, using different vegetables and lentils. But, by then, both kids were ready for soft food. They discovered that noodles and seaweed salad could be eaten without chewing - go figure! And now, much sooner than expected, they're back to eating almost anything they like (nothing really hard or cruncy yet) and I didn't even get to make chicken soup from the organic, ethically raised chicken I bought for the occasion!


I have nothing to prove it but I think it only makes sense that eating fresh, whole food, packed with nutrients, helped my kids heal so quickly. We tend to  discount or overlook the power of food, but really, you are what you eat - eat well and you're body will serve you well.