I got the idea of developing like a diet plan for pregnant women and/or possibly for the child for about the first 2 years. My family has always been into researching different foods, because as most of you know, different foods provide different nutrients and effects on your body. I have been babysitting a sweet little girl whose parents only feed her organic food. Her lunch will consist of something like: guacamole, blueberry yogurt, and little pieces of satsuma. I have a hunch that fruit and things high in protein etc "feed" the brain more effectively. This could be really interesting to research the different effects of food on infants and the nutrients those foods contain. In terms of who I would need to contact for advice, I could talk to children nutritionists or other child development scientists who focus on children's nutrition.
Just an idea, but it sounds pretty cool to me already!
**Also the slogan of the science channel is CURIOSITY....just saying :)
P.S. There was an article in the Advocate this past week stating, "La ranks last in brain health index". I had no idea there was such a thing as brain health index, but the fact that Louisiana is last should be alarming. An educational campaign already exists, "Beautiful Minds", this could be something else I look into.
Notes:
-Proper nutrition and care during pregnancy could help prevent some premature births.
Well that science show just sounds perfect for you. And I also really like the idea of making a dietery plan for those people. Maybe it wouldn't just be a diet plan, but a life plan for that period of time.
ReplyDeleteIt would be cool to see you run "tests" and experiments on different babies and see how they react to the different foods. It might be hard though to find parents who would be willing to "test" their child? But you still can take a survey parents who have babies and see what types of food they feed their babies!
ReplyDeleteWe're very careful about what Annie eats too, and her lunch doesn't that much different from what you described. I don't know if it makes a difference on anything really, but personally, it's just part of the whole wanting-what's-best-for-child thing. Although personally, I also believe organic food and things like that are more ethical, healthier, and tastier.
ReplyDeleteThere's been a whole lot of literature written in the last ten years about food and food quality. Look up Michael Pollan's books for a starter. (I have The Omnivore's Dilemma, which was his biggest one, if you want to borrow, because I taught a Writing and Food course once upon a time. Was fun.)
As far as babies and food goes, I love that way of narrowing it down. I'd be concerned about the viability of the research you could do, but perhaps you could research and investigate what food are best for the youngest students at EHS and then work with Chef Pat on implementing them. I know the Episcopal Day Care feeds the toddlers out of the cafeteria, but I don't know if he makes something different for them because Annie still eats the food from home (because she's an infant and because we're picky as I said).
Just fyi. Keep thinking!
YESYESYES! Emily, this is so perfect! I'm really loving this idea! And I think you can use the organization that already exists and help them with maybe research? Nice start!
ReplyDeleteEmily this sounds so interesting, and I know you would stay interested in anything that had to do with babies;) But yes, this sounds like a great start! And I never knew that Louisiana was last! What exactly is brain health index??
ReplyDeleteI love that idea! It would be interesting to actuallly find what is the best for babies because there are so many different opinions about it! Great work Em!
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing idea! It fits you so well too! You could talk to dieticians in the area to get their ideas of the best diet plans as well. This would be a fascinating thesis to read!
ReplyDeleteI really like this idea! This works because it is something you are passionate about and it is a big issue in our society today. People are really concerned about what they eat and what their children eat, and it would be awesome to find what is best for babies.
ReplyDeleteThanks guys!
ReplyDeleteYeah I feel like there are so many opinions out there, like Caroline said, and some parents may have no idea or interest so it would be good to find out.
Oh the thought of improving EHS' food more sounds fantastic. I think it's close to being great, but perhaps Chef Pat could use some help. You maybe?
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