An Austin couple’s Paleo-inspired startup, Serenity Kids, now provides Paleo baby food for parents looking to try out different options. But is this healthy for babies? Several baby food experts warn against it.

What Is a Paleo Diet?

Serenity Kids, a Paleo-inspired food startup, founded by Austin couple Joe Carr and Serenity Heegel, now provides parents with Paleo-friendly baby food.

The baby food product targets kids of ages 6 months plus. It comes in 4 ounces, and is comprised of pasture-raised meats as well as organic vegetables. It also comes in three different flavors: uncured bacon, kale with butternut squash, chicken with carrots and peas and, finally, sweet potato with grass-fed beef and kale.

A Paleolithic Diet, or Paleo Diet, is what is commonly known as the “caveman diet”- where you eat foods presumed to have been consumed by Paleolithic humans- mainly meats, vegetables, fruits and nuts, with little to no grains, cereals or milk products.

It also emphasizes the avoidance of foods that were unavailable at the time, such as dairy products, sugar, potatoes, soybeans, lentils and grains (such as corn, bread, pasta, cereals).

The research has shown that a Paleo diet does produce healthier outcomes, while warning against the tendency to avoid carbs and fats to a dangerous extent. It also warns against the tendency not to consume the adequate daily intake of legumes and whole grains- a common misconception in health & fitness culture.

Despite the fact that Paleolithic humans lived at a time where unhealthy empty-calorie junk food was unavailable, there have still been some modern food developments since that have actually been useful for our health- including bread, soybeans, corn, etc.

Is This Healthy For Babies?

So is this diet good for babies? Baby food expert and Pediatric nutritionist Nicole Silber comments on this, saying: “There are certainly elements to paleo eating that I appreciate and endorse, particularly the lack of processed foods and the abundance of vegetables and good quality protein,” she said. “However, I would not recommend babies and toddlers eliminate grains, dairy and legumes.”

Madelyn Fernstrom, another nutritionist and health expert said that although eliminating processed foods is good, “on the paleo [diet], no grains, dairy, or legumes are recommended. This is a problem for babies and young children as low and non-fat dairy are the easiest way to get adequate calcium and vitamin D for growing bones and teeth.”

A recent study has shown that there may be some pretty big upsides to adding some almonds to your diet.

The Study

According to a Harvard study published this year, you may want to swap your morning muffin with a nice handful of crunchy almonds.  Almonds are known to have significant health benefits, but this study has shown that it may have a particularly ability to protect your heart from heart disease in the future.

The researchers analyzed 82 people diagnosed with higher than normal levels of LDL cholesterol, also known as “bad cholesterol.” They had them follow one of two diets aimed at lowering their cholesterol: one that either included 1.5 ounces of almonds, or a simple muffin with an equal number of calories. The participants followed this diet for six weeks, and then switched their diets for an extra six weeks.

In comparison to the muffin diet, those who consumed the almonds had a preferable distribution of “good cholesterol,” (subtypes of HDL cholesterol). The subtypes seen in the almond group particularly improve the body’s capacity to remove bad cholesterol from our bloodstreams, therefore reducing the risks of high blood pressure, strokes or heart attacks.

It’s important to note, however, that these results were only seen in people who were not obese or even just overweight.

What Else Do Almonds Do?

Almonds have also been associated with several other health benefits in the past. Many studies have found a link between almond consumption and preventing cognitive decline. This is why many elderly people are encouraged to include almonds in their diets.

Another benefit is how good it is for your skin. They’re a good source of Vitamin E, as well as other antioxidants known to nourish your skin, reducing signs of aging. They also have high concentrations of compounds that have been associated with anti-cancer effects, including isorhamnetin, quercetin and kaempferol.

Find out how many creative ways there are of including almonds in your meals and have fun while staying healthy!

Diabetes affects hundreds of millions of people in the US and UK, however a new superfruit, the baobab, may help diabetics manage their blood sugar.

Those who suffer from diabetes must ensure that they manage blood sugar levels properly. If they do not, it may lead to diseases of the heart, kidney damage, or even amputation of the foot.

However, it has come to light that eating this ‘superfood’ powder may help diabetics prevent further repercussions.

New Study

Research from Oxford Brookes University claims that the African baobab fruit may potentially help diabetics regulate levels of sugar in their blood.

Throughout the study, researchers were finding that powder extracted from the baobab fruit, which they could then add to shakes or smoothies, can help avoid spikes in blood sugar.

The findings were presented by ‘Superfoods: The Real Story’ on Channel 4 last week. Since the broadcast, sales of Aduna Baobab Powder soared by over 1,300 percent.

Dr Shelly Coe, a researcher at Oxford Brookes University, stated: “We have carried out a number of studies on baobab fruit at our Centre and the results have consistently demonstrated that baobab can have a stabilising effect on blood glucose.

“It is also high in polyphenols which have been shown to effect the release of sugars from carbohydrates into the blood stream, reducing their conversion into glucose.

Diabetes in the UK

Diabetes symptoms are known to affect around 40.5 million people throughout the UK. The condition carries a costly price tag of £14 billion a year from the NHS.

Baobab fruit has been consumed in Africa for centuries, and according to Dr Coe, “Our studies have shown that along with a good diet and exercise, consuming baobab could help regulate your blood sugar – which is particularly good news for those with Type 2 Diabetes.”