Baby Formula Comparison

It sounds crazy to say 'I ordered my baby's formula from Europe.' Not only is it extremely inconvenient and quite expensive, it just sounds over-the-top. That is, until you understand the reasoning behind such a choice. When I had my baby, I planned to breast feed and/or pump for at least 6 months. I barely made the 6 month mark when I needed to look to formula to supplement and finish the remaining year at least! I did not realize what I was getting into and am happy I ended up going down a very long, stressful, overwhelming rabbit hole. In my opinion, I was able to make an educated choice to better the health of my child. 

There are some big differences between formulas in the US vs. those in Europe. Europe has MUCH higher standards and criteria than the US. "The European Commission requires that baby formula contain no detectable levels of pesticides and no added sucrose (sugar), though they may contain added lactose (milk sugar). Some of the European formulas go beyond organic—they are Demeter biodynamic, which means their ingredients are sourced via farming practices that are better for soil quality, ecosystem preservation and animal care, and have no GMOs." (Today's Parent).  Let's take a look at the major differences to consider when making your choice:

• A sugar/carbohydrate source is added to all formulas, however the sugar added makes a big difference. European formulas do not allow corn syrup, glucose, fructose, rice syrup, or sucrose (white sugar) whereas these are the typical chosen sugars for most US brands. These are highly processed and should be avoided if possible.  The two preferred added sugars are Lactose and Maltodextrin. Lactose is most commonly added to European formulas and mimics the sugars found naturally in milk and breast milk. Maltodextrin is a corn sugar that is more easily digestible, but is considered safe in small amounts, which is where US formulas fail (key words: small amounts). 

• Another notable difference is that most American formulas are lacking probiotics and prebiotics. Breast milk naturally contains both which are important for maintaining gut health.  Most European formulas incorporate them whereas US tends not to. 

• DHA and ARA occur naturally in breast milk but could cause issues when added to formulas. The extraction process produces a well-known neurotoxin, hexane. The USDA only states that these should not be allowed in organic formulas, but are allowed in all other US formulas. 

• US formula contain synthetic preservatives and nutrients. USDA policy allows lab-made nutrients and preservatives for use in baby formula. Some of the possibly dangerous ingredients to be aware of are: ascorbyl palmitate, lutein, taurine, l-carnitine, l-methionine, nucleotides, lycopene, and beta carotene. All of these ingredients are BANNED in European formulas. 

• Lastly, one ingredient to look out for that is added to both US and European formulas is palm oil. Palm oil is a fat added to formulas to replicate the fat content found in breast milk. Breast milk contains palm oil however, the structure of the fat molecules are different when added in and not naturally produced. Since the molecules are different, they are not absorbed as well and form 'soaps' in the intestines, which bind Calcium preventing the proper absorption of calcium. 

The most popular European formulas are HIPP, Holle, and Lebenswert.  

Now that you have some of the facts, hopefully you can make a more informed decision for you and your family. 

As always, check with your physician/pediatrician.

The Secret Behind Hidden Sugars

Eating healthy is difficult. Especially today when foods labeled as 'healthy' are anything but. So many foods that people believe to be good for them are in fact loaded with sugars. It is also important to note that most foods labeled 'low calorie' or 'low fat' are often the worst for you, and include extra sugars and carbohydrates to make up for the lack of fat/calories. To avoid this trap, you should pay close attention to the nutrition labels on the foods you are purchasing. Obviously, if you are eating a clean diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, nuts, lean meats, etc, then there are no labels to read but be sure to note if you are adding any sauces or extras. Most sauces are loaded with sugar. Sugar is added to almost everything in order to make it taste better and appeal to buyers. Important note #2, most people realize that sweets have sugars, however hidden sugars are present in a lot of savory foods as well.

Reference Guide:
Women should limit added sugars to <25g per day (6 teaspoons)
Men should limit added sugars to <38g per day (9 teaspoons)
Children should limit added sugars to <12g per day (3 teaspoons)

Added sugars include anything that is not considered natural, such as those sugars naturally present in fruits and vegetables. Sugar has over 60+ names which can be alarming, but here are the most common to look for on food labels:

• Fructose
• Glucose
• Sucrose
• Lactose
• Dextrose
• Maltose
• Corn Syrup 
• Rice Syrup (including brown rice syrup)
• Cane Juice\
• Fruit juice concentrate
• Molasses
• Honey or Agave

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Here is a list of the most common foods hiding sugars:

• Pre-packaged breakfasts: whether that is oatmeal, granola bars, meal replacements, protein bars, etc 
• Example: Nutri Grain Bars touted as whole grain and healthy: 12g of sugar on average in each bar
• Quaker Oats ORGANIC flavored oatmeal: between 7 and 12 grams of ADDED sugar
• Yogurts and other pre-packaged dairy items such as Kefir
• Oikos Greek yogurt: average of 18 grams of sugar per container (EIGHTEEN)!
• Yoplait yogurts: average of 19 grams of sugar (NINETEEN)!
• Bottled sauces, dressings, condiments such as ketchup, tomato sauce, salad dressings, barbecue sauce, pasta sauce, etc
• Simply Organic Ketchup and Heinz Simply Tomato Ketchup: 4 gram of sugar
• Applesauce and pre-packaged fruits
• Motts Natural Applesauce: 12 grams of sugar
• Dole Fruit Cups: 18 grams of sugar
• Dried fruit and pre-made trail mix
• Ocean Spray Craisins: 29 grams of sugar
• 'Whole grain' breads often have added sugars
• Brownberry and Arnold 100% whole wheat bread: 3 grams of sugar
• Majority of 'healthy' breakfast cereals out there are laden with sugar
• Special K Red Berries: 10 grams of ADDED sugar
• Organic Kashi Honey & Cinnamon KIDS cereal: 7 grams of sugar
• Honey Nut Cheerios ('Whole Grain'): 9 grams of sugar
• Even vitamins frequently have added sugars 
• One-A-Day Gummies: average 3 grams of sugar per serving

As you can see, majority of the foods listed above contain nearly half or more of the total amount of sugar adults should consume daily, and most have over what a child should have in a day! The purpose of this post is to bring awareness to the ridiculous amounts of sugar that are added to everyday foods and help  you make better choices for you and your family.

I will be doing a separate post in the near future about sugars specifically in baby products such as baby foods and formulas. This post would have been way too long to have included everything in one!

Stay Hydrated!

Exercising outside is always more fun than being stuck indoors...at least to me! It is more scenic, you get some fresh air, and sunshine! However, as the summer progresses and it gets hotter and hotter out (especially since the hottest day of the year was yesterday), we have to stay aware of our hydration levels and how much we are sweating. Dehydration can have severe consequences so you want to keep your body hydrated and full of water so you can continue to function optimally! 

A few things to get out of the way before giving some tips to stay your coolest. First of all, there is no set amount of water to drink per person per day. Everybody's bodies are different, we all have different requirements and sweat different amounts. So pay close attention to yours and if you feel thirsty, drink some water. Or if you feel hungry but recently ate, drink a glass of water or two and see if you were just thirsty. An exact amount is tricky to pinpoint since certain foods we eat contribute as well, such as certain fruits and vegetables with high water content. Other liquids, even if not water also count but could also be dehydrating, such as coffee. So in summary, pay attention to your body's specific needs. 

Next, if you workout, be sure to replenish those lost liquids during and after your workout. You should not lose more than a pound or two during a workout or you are not drinking enough water for the amount you are sweating or you were not hydrated enough to begin with. If you weigh yourself before and after your workout, for every pound lost afterwards, replenish with 24 ounces of water. 

Now, on to some tips to stay as cool as possible in this raging summer heat:

1. Make sure you are hydrated before beginning. You are prone to sweat more when it is hotter so if you start dehydrated, your body will have less to lose! Drink at least one or two 8-ounce glasses of water before beginning your workout.

2. The earlier in the morning you workout, the cooler it will be outside. Same goes for the later at night, after the sun goes down. It will obviously be the hottest mid-day so try and avoid those times as much as possible or move your workout indoors if that is the only time you have available.

3. Wear light colored, light weight, sweat wicking clothing. You want items that specifically say sweat wicking so that they do not become heavy and uncomfortable after absorbing sweat (i.e. cotton fabrics). If you exercise outdoors a lot, invest in some outdoor specific clothes.

4. Be sure to lather up with sunscreen. This is obvious, no explanation necessary!

5. Wear a heart rate monitor to keep track of your heart rate. Be sure to not push yourself too hard and overheat your body. Keep your heart rate within 70-80% of your max.