Welcome to the grand finale of our “Let’s have a RETHINK about feeding our kids(insights from Dr. Osinaike at SAVE OUR CHILDREN” series where Dr. Babayemi Osinaike drops some serious wisdom.
If you’ve, you already know we’ve debunked myths, laughed at his sugary snack confessions, dived deep into the truth about kids’ nutrition and explored the pressures of food advertising.
And now—drumroll, please— because Part 3 is about to hit you with some hard-hitting truths and game-changing advice that will have you rethinking those pills in your medicine cabinet!
Doctors Under Pressure—But Not to Please You!
First up, Dr. Osinaike pulls no punches when it comes to how parents approach their child’s health. He’s got a message for you:
Doctors aren’t treating your anxiety, they’re treating your child!
That means if you rush to the doctor demanding medicine because you’re worried, don’t expect a prescription just to ease your nerves. Instead, he encourages parents to focus on what’s really necessary for their child’s health.
And if you thought that was surprising, wait for this bombshell: Vitamin C, the trusty household favorite, can sometimes do more harm than good!
Vitamin C—Friend or Foe?
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Dr. Osinaike revealed a shocking truth about one of the most popular “health” supplements out there—Vitamin C! While we’re all obsessed with it, especially during cold season, did you know it can cause fixed drug eruptions (reactions on the skin)?
And for kids who take tea regularly, Vitamin C actually competes with iron absorption, which could lead to iron deficiency anemia. Mind blown, right?
The moral? There’s no such thing as a “routine” drug unless it’s medically necessary.
But don’t worry, he’s not telling you to cut out the Vitamin C completely! Instead of popping those pills, why not opt for the natural alternative? Fruits!
They serve two purposes: they’re filling and they nourish your kids, minus the weird side effects.
Raising Wellness Champions
So, how do we go from confused parents to wellness champions for our kids? Dr. Oshinaike’s got some key strategies:
1. Know That All Drugs Have Side Effects.
Yes, ALL drugs—even oxygen sometimes! Before the next prescription is written, ask the doctor: Do I really need this? What are the alternatives? And don’t be shy to inquire about side effects.
It’s your right as a parent to know exactly what your child is taking. You’d be surprised at how much this simple conversation can change the game.
2. Avoid the Big Fat Battle.
Parents, Listen up! Your child is not a trophy for showing off! A fat child doesn’t necessarily mean a healthy child, and a skinny one isn’t automatically unhealthy either.
What truly matters is that their mental, physical, and social development are in sync. So, let’s steer clear of that “big fat battle” and focus on raising balanced, well-rounded kids instead.
3. Incorporate Dietary intervention.
We need to start speaking to doctors and healthcare providers about incorporating nutrition into treatment plans. Diet should be just as important as medicine. After all, food is fuel!
4. Health coverage should include food.
Here’s a groundbreaking thought: what if, instead of picking up pills every month, your prescription was for a basket of apples? It’s not as wild as it sounds!
Some countries are already experimenting with food prescriptions, and it’s high time we started asking our HMOs to follow suit. Imagine walking out of the hospital with not only meds but healthy, nourishing food for your kids—now that’s real healthcare!
And there you have it, the final piece of our nutrition puzzle! We hope this series has not only challenged the way you think about feeding your children but also inspired you to take action.
We’ve tackled everything from food advertisements to hidden dangers in our medicine cabinets, and now you’re armed with the knowledge to raise healthier, happier kids. Remember, it’s never too late to start rethinking, rewiring, and making better choices for the future of your kids!
The question is: What will you do next to start making these changes?
Stay tuned for more from the Save Our Children Wellness Revival—there’s so much more to come as we are just getting started in this movement towards healthier, happier kids!
Watch full video here.