Dr. Gellner: Old wives' tales about food and drinks, we've heard them all. I'll clear up which ones are true and which ones are not on today's Scope. I'm Dr. Cindy Gellner.
Announcer: Keep your kids healthy and happy. You are now entering The Healthy Kids Zone with Dr. Cindy Gellner on the Scope.
Dr. Gellner: Number one, feed a cold and starve a fever. False. Both high fever and colds can cause fluid loss, and drinking plenty of fluids can help prevent dehydration. And with both fevers and colds it's fine for your child to eat whenever they want and whatever they want. But don't be surprised if your kid doesn't want to eat at all. As a parent, you don't eat either when you're sick. They'll eat when they're ready. Hydration is more important.
Next, wait an hour after eating before going swimming. No. According to the American Red Cross, it's not necessary for anyone to wait an hour after eating before going in the water. However, if your child had a big fatty meal and they're on a swim team and have a meet, it might be a good idea to let their food digest some. No one wants puke in the middle of the pool. The Red Cross also advises against chewing gum or eating while in the water. Your child could choke.
Next, coffee stunts your growth. That's false. In that coffee won't affect your child's growth, but too much caffeine doesn't belong in a child's diet anyways. Not to mention the acid in coffee and what it does to their sensitive stomachs. Coffee and caffeine can prevent the absorption of calcium and vitamins as well. So don't just give it to them.
Fish is brain food. This one is true. Fish is a good source of Omega 3 fatty acids and it's been found to be very important in brain function. Certain fish like tuna however, have significant levels of mercury, which isn't good for kids either. So keep those fish down to once a week.
One we've all heard, chocolate causes acne. Thank goodness this one's false. Although eating too many sugary high fat foods is not a good idea for anyone, studies show that no specific food has been proven to cause acne.
Spicy food can cause ulcers. Yes and no. Spicy foods may aggravate ulcer symptoms in some people but in kids they're more likely to cause indigestion.
While these are old wives' tales, remember, eating a healthy diet is never old advice.
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