Practical Wellness Support for Everyday Life | Beverly Meyer | Podcast, Store, Blog

Gluten Free Paleo Wellness Blog with Podcasts, Online Store, Recipes

TwitterFacebookPinterestiTunesHome
Healthy Living Resources
Since 1985
- Paleo Mag's Top 5 Blog & Podcast -

Free Shipping Over $98
  • Clinic/Consults
    • Work With Beverly Meyer
    • New Client Forms
    • Diet and Health Center | San Antonio
    • 20 Healthy Living Tips
  • About
    • About Beverly
    • Contact Beverly Meyer
    • Success Stories
  • Health Articles
  • Podcast
  • Recipes
    • Anytime Entrees
    • Easy Veggies
    • On The Side
    • Snacks and Treats
  • The Diet Video
  • Online Store
    • Supplements
    • Work With Beverly Meyer
    • The Diet Video
    • FAQ’s Shipping/Returns
  • Contact

Liberate meal time w. my FREE eBook! Opt-In to my Newsletter
for once-weekly Sales, Podcasts & Blog Posts to empower your health.
10% Coupon for your first Supplement purchase!

Get the eBook and 10% Coupon Now!

Mom, I Have a Stomach Ache!

Beverly Meyer, Clinical Nutritionist, MBA

Poor diet and stomach aches in children

Stomach aches are one of the most common complaints in my practice. Why do tummy aches plague so many children and adults?  And how does a parent help their child?

Parents often don’t know how much their kids suffer.  And children think their bodies are normal, for the most part, having nothing to compare to. They’ll put up with a surprising amount of problems if they don’t feel comfortable asking a parent about something. Some parents simply don’t ask or observe, while some hover too closely and create problems where none occur.

WHAT DO YOU DO FIRST?

The first question I ask the child is “Where does it hurt?  Can you point to it exactly?”

Responses can vary from the upper chest and throat, all the way to the bladder. Parents are often shocked by this simple revelation!  Occasionally kids are already on medications, and frightened parents keep running tests and seeing doctors, convinced that their child has incurable problems.

Assuming the child points to the colon area (they seldom point to the stomach high up in the V where the ribs come together), I want information on diet.  My first step? A week’s food diary, with notes on how the tummy felt today, what the stool was like, were they nauseous or gassy, etc.  Next step?  FOOD FIRST, my favorite motto!

SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE

I explain to parents that thTummy Ache Soon!e whole family should change their diet (or at least the Mom’s and the child for now) not singling out just one child. Can you imagine one child being “punished” to eat meats and vegetables, and the parents eating pizza and beer?

Depending on family dynamics, I prefer for the parent who does the most shopping and cooking to change their diet first. Let the family observe the new foods, the new timing of meals (we ate at the TABLE!) and let the parent share happy things about their foods.  “I have so much energy when I eat a good breakfast”. “My stomach feels better than it has in years!”  And so on.

HOW DO WE ADD NEW FOODS TO THE MENU?

Offer new foods to the family, especially the person with the digestive concerns.  Get that gluten and cow’s milk out of there first thing!  These are the main foods causing digestive distress in humans, and I find we ALL feel better without them.  You can use gluten-free foods for a while if you must, but go grain-free, bean-free, and dairy-free as soon as you can.  I do believe that younger kids need milk for a while, but goat milk is preferred to cow, unless you can locate RAW cow’s milk AND they can tolerate it. I find that most people do NOT tolerate milk from cows, as a rule.  High quality cheese and butter may be allowed  but you’ll have to experiment with this.  Once these foods are out and everyone’s feeling better, eliminate eggs for a week or two and see if additional improvement comes.

DOING A MODIFIED FOOD CHALLENGE

Ultimately the question is if you do better ON a food, or OFF a food. It’s individual and it can change over time.  Parents — lead the way with new habits and make the new normal for the kids.  Children are much better patients than adults when it comes to following a diet – if they feel badly, then feel well, then feel badly again and understand it was the cookie or the ice cream that did it, they generally will not touch that food again!  I promise –   I’ve seen it many times.  Make the connection and the child will handle it, as long as they have help understanding that there’s MILK hidden in these foods, and FLOUR hidden in other foods.

Role play with them on speaking to parents, teachers and friends on asking politely for what they want, and declining foods they don’t want.  Build their confidence a little and they’ll make strides in managing their own health.

Good Luck!

Want to share this? PIN IT here:
[pin_widget url=”https://www.pinterest.com/pin/547961479638758611/”]

Categories: Gluten & Health, Grains & Sugars, The Bowels Tags: Diarrhea, Digestion, Family Health, Food Sensitivities, Gluten Antibodies, Gluten Free, Kids Health

Related Posts:

  • Building a Strong Lean Body If You're Tired and Overweight
    Building a Strong Lean Body If You're Tired and Overweight
  • GABA Deficiency Symptoms
    GABA Deficiency Symptoms
  • How to Be An Entrepreneur in the New Economy
    How to Be An Entrepreneur in the New Economy
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: I am not a licensed medical doctor and cannot advise you on medical matters. However, by studying my website you may be better able to communicate with your wellness provider. If you need medical assistance, please seek support from a qualified physician. Click here to read my full disclaimer.
AFFILIATE LINKS: There are affiliate links in some of my articles, which means I may get a small commission if you decide to purchase something after clicking on the links. I only recommend products I trust or have used so I know you'll be in good hands.
About Beverly

About Beverly

Clinical Nutritionist, blogger, podcaster, patient and health researcher.

My goal? To help you and me feel better!

In practice since 1985. Read More >

Herbal D-HIST

10% Off Thru 4/3/23
NON-DROWSY. WORKS GREAT!

ONLINE STORE

CONSULTS

HEALTH TOPICS

MY PODCASTS

EASY RECIPES

Subscribe to my Paleo Health Podcast

Testimonials

Reba

Listening to your podcasts has been extremely educational. I’m so happy I stumbled on your show. I really enjoyed your video on The Diet For Human Beings.

Janie K.

I learned more in 2 hours of Consults with Beverly than the last 10 doctors I’d seen. She built a custom supplement program for me and really fine-tuned my diet. I am in awe.

Mary Ann

Thanks to you I have made myself more aware – not just getting tests done but researching and following up – “GROW UP” – great advice. I look forward to reading your blogs.

Natalia

I’m really enjoying your podcasts and all the information you share. I have learned so much about what my body is telling me and about supplements.

Susan B.

Your supplement store has the best products! Blog posts help explain which to consider and why. My anxiety and sleep are so much better. Thank you !

D.C.

What you do helped save my life. Medications were destroying my Connective Tissue. Using supplements and diet let me manage my HSV. My health has finally started to improve. Thank you for all you do to help people like me.

Wendy

Your knowledge is unparalleled and you have the best podcast on wellness & nutrition. You’re so much fun to listen to and so informative! I like how you explain all the words and terms.

Margie K.

Your IBS diet is helping me like no other. Really appreciate your dedication! You’ve done such a lot of work on your own health – it inspires me.  Thanks – thanks – thanks ! I never would have figured it all out!

Niccole K.

Telling you three of the most wonderful words one can say: You were right! I am feeling so much better. The diet is really easy to follow and prepare. Thank you!

Copyright 2021 Beverly Meyer On Diet and Health.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. The suggestions I give in my podcasts and health articles are for learning purposes only. Please promptly consult your doctor for any medical condition.
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact Beverly Meyer
  • Blog
  • Sitemap
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy