Quote:
Originally Posted by The Flying Mouse
I may be wrong here, but the way i'm reading this thread, it looks like it's being said there is a direct link between junk food and mental illness 
All I can say to that is that it would make a great ad campaign 
"You might scream for ice cream,
but you'll go crrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrazy for our new tripple whopper with bacon" |
I have an aversion to descibing either psychological or behavioural problems as "mental". I think it's probably established that behavioural problems can be exaccerbated by certain food, and children's concentration can be affected by their diet. Most of us have argued that what we eat and drink can affect behaviour but isn't the sole cause of behavioural issues, depression, anxiety etc. Steve has found omitting certain types of food has helped him.
Fast food does tend to be heavy with unnecesary sugar, E additives, caffeine, salt etc, as does a lot of the "convenience" food available. It does lead to obesity in many who don't exercise moderation, which can lead to many other issues like diabetes, and it isn't a good diet for children on a regular basis. But I think most have agreed that the important factors are exercising moderation, education, taking personal responsibility, exercising responsible and informed parenting rather than banning the foods/drinks. Even Steve seems to have come to a level of agreement about this now
Your comment about nut allergies is interesting. Many schools now won't allow any food with nuts on the premises; an increasing number are against any form of home baking being brought in, for meals/snacks or fund raising activities. I can't help wonder why our children have become so sensitive. Nut allergies weren't an issue when I was at school, nor did we ever have a child drop to the floor stricken with a reaction. But there was far less pollution from vehicle emissions, and we ate more simply and "convenience" and "junk" foods weren't around. I can't recall any schoolmate auffering from asthma either, nor exhibiting symptoms of gluten or dairy intolerance. Though I'm pretty sure all the paint at school was lead-based, and our mothers were not forbidden to drink or smoke when they were pregnant.
I can't help but think that the environment must have an effect, and that the extensive use of E numbers and other preservatives may be increasing some children's food sensitivity, not just in terms of behaviour but also in their bodies' reactions to certain foods. Still doesn't mean we should ban all convenience or "jumk" foods imo .. back to education and parenting.
Caryl