On Babies and Bananas

ON BABIES AND BANANAS

At all times food directly contributes to the way we feel and think of ourselves - how light or heavy we feel - how comfortable we are being ourselves, and also how capable we are of healthy interaction with others. Lots of science - lots and lots of common sense - and some aspects of looking at the consumption of "sweet" foods that may signify a lot more than meets the eye.

Laying the foundation for a strong digestive and immune system at the beginning of life is a big, serious responsibility. Just recently I picked up an infant nutrition book, and there it was again, that very convenient starter food: the soft, easy and convenient banana. In the book it was honored as the beginning staple-along with cream of wheat and some of the other traditional beginner foods.

What could possible be bad about bananas? They seem such a perfect food-ripe, soft, sweet and mushy with inbuilt zippers—great packaging-so important when you want to satisfy a restless, hungry baby.

According to traditional Chinese dietetics, feeding babies’ bananas is where the “snotty toddler” syndrome begins. Within the Chinese system every food has different qualities; a flavor, a temperature, and a function. (The function is defined by the effect the food will have on any particular organ system)

Under that heading the banana is classified as being sweet in flavor, cold in temperature and damp and slippery in nature. These qualifications translate into one well-feared word: phlegm. Bananas create phlegm and mucous. Isn’t this just what we don’t want for our babies and children? The sweet, damp and cold quality affects the spleen, the digestive system in particular, but the result may very well show repercussions in the lung energy.

According to traditional Chinese medicine the digestive system is the most delicate of the five major organ systems (Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lung and Kidney). In some schools it is also the one organ system that facilitates the most change in a person’s health condition. It is through the digestive system, i.e. Stomach and Spleen that we absorb the medicine we ingest to heal ourselves. The first function of the Stomach and Spleen is to warm the food and then the Stomach sends the food matter further downward and the Spleen has the function to vaporize the essence of the nutrients to the lungs, which in turn have eth e function to disperse/spread this “energy”.

For thousands of years the Chinese believe that the Spleen organ system has the function of transporting and transforming all nutrients into blood and energy. Simply put, the Spleen makes blood, the very substance of life. Through the heating and churning function of the Stomach and the transforming and transporting function of the Spleen the metamorphosis of food into “life force” energy happens. The inability of the Spleen or digestive system to transform all the cold dampness into useful energy will result in excess mucous-and from there develop the runny noses, phlegmy coughs and earaches caused by the wrong food at the wrong time.

According to Chinese medicine the Spleen “likes’ (works best with) warm temperatures. Any food that is raw, cold or very sweet (also cold) slows the digestive process and makes dampness that is phlegm.

Phlegm is a major obstructer of energy and a person, ever a little person, will feel unclear, wooly, slowed down and confused when there is too much “dampness” as phlegm is called in Traditional Chinese medicine Phlegm then becomes stagnant like a pond; over time it becomes like a warm, festering pool for other symptoms to develop.

Ear infections in babies and toddlers often result from either overfeeding, which will create the same stagnation, or from ingesting too many sweet, cold or cooling foods. Examples of cooling foods are cucumbers and melon, whereas cold foods are ice and ice cream, popsicles, and foods straight from the fridge.

Runny noses, loose bowel movements, diarrhea, and phlegmy coughs may develop into ear infections. Ear infections usually mark the starting point of a vicious cycle. Because the areas are so scaringly close to the brain, we dutifully accept the allopathic treatment for this problem, antibiotics.

However, while antibiotics may or may not take care of the ear infection, depending on whether it is of viral or bacterial origin, we then face the next problem, which is caused by the quality, temperature and function of the antibiotic. Antibiotics (from the Greek: anti-“against” and biotis “life”) carry their name appropriately; they destroy bacteria, but they act indiscriminately to exacerbate the underlying weakness of the Spleen and the digestive system.

Over time the Spleen will become weaker and loose bowel movements will persist (because the bacterial digestive flora has been destroyed). Bloating and gas will follow; in turn the weakened Spleen will further the potential for phlegm stagnation and more ear infections are likely to follow. Unfortunately, many parents recognize this dance of frustrating repetition.

The way to prepare the very first beginner’s “solid” food is to first soak the rice for several hours – discard the water and with it Phytic acid, which makes most grains harder to digest, then simmer half a cup of rice to three cups of water and leave it to cook for two hours. A crock pot used overnight might be another good way of doing this. The consistency should be so soft that one can hardly recognize the grains of rice in the “soup”.

There is no rush to feed the baby solid foods-there is nothing better than mother’s milk until such time when the baby is clearly looking for solids and wanting them. Then, and only then, it is time to begin. Slowly, however, bypassing one’s own projection that baby requires variety. We believe we need great variety and must have it, but not a little child; children still have the purity to rediscover “the same old thing” over and over again. There are many foods, simple foods that are rich in nutrition and will strengthen the young organism.

The very first step could be to mix mother’s milk with rice gruel and stick with that recipe for as long as comfortable. Each new food can be introduced very slowly indeed, one by one, feeding each new food for as many days as possible before adding another novelty. Don’t rush; only too soon there will be too much.

Freshly cooked organic squashes and carrots could be step two, and well-cooked millet could provide a change from rice gruel. Yams, soft baked or boiled, nourish the Spleen very well. Foods that come out of the earth seem to work best, especially if they are prepared in a simple manner. In the beginning they should be well done, pureed. (They should be introduced as one new food at a time with several days trial time before adding the next item to assess for potential allergies).

Soy formula versus cow’s milk is another great issue of debate. I feel that between the two, cow’s milk is more akin to mother’s milk. Goats’ milk seems most favorable to me because of its greater similarity in composition to mother’s milk; however, goats’ milk is missing the appropriate amount of vitamin D, which needs to be compensated for. Should Goats’ milk be unavailable, maybe one can offer diluted yogurt, which is easier on the digestion as the “breakdown” is already underway. The yogurt should be ”alive” and possibly made from whole organic milk, without hormones and antibiotics. Soy beans are cold in nature and can cause digestive discomfort. We know this well from so many vegetarians who would love to eat a lot of tofu, but can’t because of gas and bloating. (Adding ginger, a warming and aromatic food in preparation can alleviate this problem, but not for infants, for whom the taste of ginger is too strong.)

Peanut butter, ice cream, cow’s milk and cheese will sneak into the diet only too soon! All of the above promote the production of phlegm and, because of their properties, temperature and flavor; all of them burden the digestive system !

Chinese parents often use another tuberous rhizome Shan Yao (Pinyin), “Dioscorea” as a first food for their babies. This Chinese yam has a strengthening and warming function to the digestive system (Spleen and Stomach) and babies and children like it because of its very comforting, mildly sweet taste. One can combine the Dioscorea with Lotus Seed (Lian Zi (Pinyin)) which have similar medicinal qualities. Simmer about an ounce of each ingredient for two to three hours until they are both soft and ready to be pureed in a food processor and then fed to babies as often as desired throughout the day.

The purpose of any food we feed our children is the building of their young bodies and minds. Your child will let you know whether you have discovered the “right” food. If this story about babies and bananas has inspired you to possibly change the banana habit, do not be disheartened if the less sweet foods require re-introduction. Slowly and patiently. We, adults and babies, are creatures of habit, and we forget….even some soft, sweet and mushy things from the past.

Nutritional Value of Bananas - Fact Sheet:
Besides its YUM factor, the banana is a power house of nutrients. All its nutritional values and health benefits are preserved in a natural way by its peel. Banana is easily digestible and also has many health benefits to offer.

Potassium: A single medium sized banana contains approximately 467 mg of potassium and only a negligible 1 mg of sodium. Potassium is important for regulating blood pressure and decreasing the risk of high blood pressure and its related conditions.

Calcium: Rich in calcium, 100 g bananas is capable of supplying the body with 5 mg of calcium which is essential for the formation, as well as upkeep of strong bones and teeth, and for the smooth functioning of neurotransmitter release and muscle contraction.

Carbohydrates: Bananas are very high on energy, and are usually eaten when one seeks an instant flush of energy. This is because a 100 g of bananas contains 22.84 g of carbohydrates 12.23 g sugars and 2.6 g of dietary fiber. Though slightly higher for a diabetic, it makes for an easily digestible source of energy.

Vitamin C: A dietary intake of 100gms of banana will provide the body with nearly 8.7mg of Vitamin C. This vitamin protects the body against oxidative stress and malnutrition. A powerful antioxidant helps the body control all free radicals.

Vitamin B6 : A water soluble vitamin, essential for the smooth functioning of the nervous system, boosting the immune system and fighting infection. One serving of 225 g will give the body 0.8 mg of vitamin B6.

Other Vitamins: Essential vitamins such as Vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin K, folate, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, etc are all present in the bananas. These vitamins help in the formation of blood, and perform other activities in the body to keep its fitness levels on an all time high.

Other Minerals: Iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium and fluoride are all found in the banana. Each of these minerals help different body functions and boost the immune system.

Banana Health Benefits - not a Bad Food yet for Babies in only Absolute Moderation
Health benefits of bananas are many. They help in controlling diarrhea and soothe an upset stomach. Their antacid effects protect the stomach against stomach ulcers and its related damages. Bananas may lower your risk of macular degeneration (ARMD). Being a rich source of the compound prebiotic, bananas help the body to produce vitamins and digestive enzymes, that absorb nutrients and fight against unfriendly microorganisms. The high magnesium content is used as quick-fix source of alleviating fatigue. Fiber in it helps to lower the cholesterol level in the body. A good level of Vitamin B6 helps with brain functions. All these facts about bananas are positive - but not for a little one - too sweet - too mucous producing and cooling for the digestive track!