Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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So my kids aren't 100% Paleo all the time, but they're pretty close. I pack lunches for my first grade son on a daily basis and usually pack him things like jerky, good quality salami, ham roll ups, etc.

For breakfast the kids usually have bacon or sausage and eggs. Dinner is what we're having.

My mother asked me whether I thought I was giving them too much salt. Mothers have a way of annoying you with questions about how you're raising your kids but I actually had to stop and think about it. Am I?

For those of you with kids, do you get concerned about how much salt they are eating? I know we all talk on PH endlessly about how fat and cholesterol isn't horrible for you, but am I killing my kids slowly with elevated BP levels?

I'd love to hear thoughts. Thanks!

flag	asked Oct 24 at 13:42 Laina 2,952●3●12

SlimIcy · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-24 13:46:41Z UTC

Salt itself is healthy and necessary.

The problem today is that most people eating SAD get tons of sodium from processed foods. From what you described it seems like your children are eating healthier than 98% of their peers, and so there's a very very small chance they're even getting more total sodium in their diet than the average child.

Now, whether or not you could explain this to your mother, and have her understand... that is the real question. Good luck!

CD · Answer 2 · 2012-10-24 14:18:36Z UTC

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Direct her to here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/03/opinion/sunday/we-only-think-we-know-the-truth-about-salt.html

answered Oct 24 at 14:18

CD
22.1k●1●4●39

Thanks! FYI - This isn't so much "convince my mother it's okay" but more "crap, are my kids becoming water soluble?" My mother will move on to the next thing I'm doing wrong tomorrow and it will probably be related to warmer socks for the kids. If I sent her an article on everything she complained about, she'd have an encyclopedia. – Laina Oct 24 at 14:29

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haha, sounds like my MIL. Well then direct yourself to the article. This site really helped me get a concept of what to give my daughter at school -- everydaypaleo.com/2012/04/03/school-lunch-ideas. I am actually pleasantly surprised at how many parents comment on how healthy my daughter eats! I was sure I'd have to deal with all sorts of comments. These are great for field trips when they need more finger capable foods -- freecoconutrecipes.com/index.cfm/2010/9/29/… – CD Oct 24 at 14:36

Nice! I'm always looking for more ideas. I haven't heard anything related to opinions on his lunch, but that might be a good thing that the school hasn't sent home a pamphlet on how low fat dairy is good for you. – Laina Oct 24 at 16:59

Ha! My daughter wants to buy food like the "older kids", so we let her indulge twice a month. The school switched to soy milk, when I asked for her to have regular dairy or water, they said I would need a note from her doctor! – CD Oct 24 at 18:04

O....M....G....That is horrifying. – Happy Now Oct 24 at 19:25

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BaconHealsChic · Answer 3 · 2012-10-24 14:24:17Z UTC

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I pack the same types of things for my kids. I think you're doing great. It's always hard to know, as a parent what do to but I our alternatives to the salami are seed oil-laden crap wrapped in plastic. If I could get them to eat pats of grass fed butter in their lunch I would.

answered Oct 24 at 14:24

BaconHealsChic
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My kids are always asking to eat butter. And I totally let them! – Laina Oct 24 at 14:27

themommybug · Answer 4 · 2012-10-24 19:59:57Z UTC

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I recently had a friend pose the same question after I was talking about some of my kid's typical lunches. She wasn't being critical, but more curious. It did make me stop and think. I too had never considered it :-) I'm happy to read these answers.

answered Oct 24 at 19:59

themommybug
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Exactly - it wasn't critical, but more of a "hmmm, I wonder". I'm in the same boat! – Laina Oct 25 at 13:30

miked · Answer 5 · 2012-10-24 20:43:37Z UTC

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Here's something I posted a while ago why salt isn't bad.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/85057/does-high-blood-pressure-low-salt-intake/85061#85061

answered Oct 24 at 20:43

miked
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Interesting! Thanks for the linkage :) – Laina Oct 25 at 13:31

Paleo kids and salt

5 Answers