The death of a 5-year-old child who lost the struggle against late-stage cancer has deeply impacted both parents and medical professionals. More and more doctors are saying that diet plays a large role in the development of long-term illnesses like cancer. There are several things that can cause cancer, including genetics and the environment. Doctors are urgently telling parents to pay more attention to what their kids consume after this horrible event. Some foods are linked to a higher risk of cancer and can slowly hurt kids’ health over time, even though a lot of people eat them.
Doctors now encourage parents to minimize or stay away from these five things for the sake of their children’s health in the future.
1. Hot dogs, sausages, and ham are all processed meats.
Kids often eat fast food or lunch that includes processed meats. But these meats often have false colors, nitrates, nitrites, and preservatives in them. The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that eating processed meats can give you cancer. Eating these meals often can be quite bad for kids whose bodies are still growing and are more vulnerable to harmful chemicals. Instead of deli meats, parents should give their kids fresh, lean sources of protein like chicken, eggs, or legumes.
2. Sodas and liquids containing sugar,
like sweetened juices and sodas with funny pictures on the labels. But the pretty packaging covers a dangerous mix of too much sugar and bogus chemicals. If you consume these drinks a lot, you could gain weight, have type 2 diabetes, and even have a higher risk of getting some cancers later in life. Eating a lot of sugar can cause cells to change and become inflamed, which can lead to cancerous growth. Water, herbal teas without sugar, or natural fruit juices that have been watered down are safer choices.
3. Foods that are fried and fast food
French fries, chicken nuggets, and onion rings are some meals that are deep-fried and have a lot of trans fats and acrylamide, a chemical that occurs when you cook food at high temperatures. Animal studies have revealed that acrylamide may cause cancer, and doctors are currently looking into it, so they say to be careful. Fast food also has a lot of salt, preservatives, and bad fats, which can make a child’s immune system weaker over time. Using fresh foods while you cook is better for you and helps you learn how to eat well.
4. Snacks in packages and noodles that cook quickly
Busy families appreciate instant noodles and a lot of other popular packaged snacks because they are easy to produce and don’t cost much. But they often have a lot of sodium, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and chemical taste enhancers in them, which have been linked to a number of health concerns. Eating these foods every now and then is probably fine, but eating them all the time can affect a child’s metabolism and how their organs work. Eating complete meals like rice, vegetables, and fruits is better for you and safer.
5. Candy that looks and tastes like it doesn’t
Gummy snacks, bright candies, and many baked items include some synthetic dyes and flavorings in them. Some studies have found links between these and problems with behavior, and maybe even cancer. These chemicals are more likely to hurt kids because their systems handle poisons differently than adults’ bodies do. It could be hard to say no to sweets totally, but providing a child snacks made with natural ingredients and no artificial additives is a safer way to satisfy their sweet need.
In the end, it is a tragedy that no parent should have to go through the death of a child from late-stage cancer. Doctors say that parents have a lot of say over what their kids eat, even though they can’t stop all cancers. Families can dramatically minimize the long-term health risks for their kids by avoiding or limiting these five unhealthy food groups. The sooner a child starts eating correctly, the stronger and more resilient their body will be. The choices you make today might save lives in the future.