Episode #243: Reducing Sugar in Your Family's Diet: Tips, Swaps & Products

The Better Behavior Show with Dr. Nicole Beurkens

As we emerge from 'sugar season', I thought this would be a great time to revisit a very popular previous episode I did with Dr. Natasha Beck, lovingly known as Dr. Organic Mommy, on reducing sugar and simple strategies for improving nutrient density in our diets. With obesity and mental health skyrocketing in kids and adults, what are some simple swaps and better food choices we can make to improve our physical and mental health? We start with the basics on how to realistically improve nutrition and lifestyle, including non-toxic living tips and how to get selective (or picky eaters) to try new foods so that every family is empowered to make healthy decisions. There are loads of meal suggestions and cleaner packaged food options for kids that Dr. Beck shares in this one!

Dr. Natasha Beck is a parenting expert and founder of Dr. Organic Mommy, an online resource focused on pregnancy, parenting, and non-toxic living. She holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, specializing in Pediatric Neuro-psychology, and a Master's in Public Health specializing in Child and Family Health. She's also certified in leadership education and neurodevelopmental disabilities from Children's Hospital Los Angeles. From how to handle tantrums to mealtime difficulties to helping families live healthier lives, Dr. Organic Mommy aims to help every family make healthy decisions, drawing on her experience as a mom and a parenting expert. Her parenting expertise combines the use of Waldorf, Montessori, and RIE philosophies, all of which we have covered at various times on the show, tied into cognitive-behavioral and play therapy. When she's not working on Dr. Organic Mommy, Natasha is busy raising her three children, and she's got another, a fourth on the way, and her two fur babies with her husband, and serves on the board of various organizations.

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Episode Timestamps: Episode Intro … 00:00:30

Introduction to Dr. Beck … 00:01:12

Dr. Beck’s Background—ADHD and Effects of Diet … 00:02:48

Biggest Knowledge Gaps on Food & Lifestyle … 00:05:23

2 Biggest Offenders in “Kids Food” … 00:07:28

Chronic Health Issues Associated with Sugars and Overconsumption … 12:47

Practical Ways to Reduce Sugar … 00:16:38

Taking Baby Steps to Decrease Sugar … 00:22:33

Best Kid-Friendly Snacks to Have On-Hand … 27:20

Should You Avoid Juice? … 00:31:19

Snacks are the Easiest to Transition to Start With … 00:36:45

Preservatives, Dyes, and Chemicals Hiding In Our Food … 00:38:58

Food Additives on the Gut, Oral, Brain, and Overall Health … 00:43:32

Social Toxins Can be Worse than Chemical Ones … 00:45:35

Episode Wrap up & Resources … 00:47:00

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