#26 How nutrition can affect a child's mood, with author and nutrition consultant Jayne Avery Artwork

Helping Children Smile Again with Amanda Seyderhelm

Whether it's the grief of bereavement, the strain of divorce or the uncertainty of a new home or school, loss and change affect children in countless ways. Teachers and parents frequently find themselves ill-equipped to help children struggling with the difficult feelings that these situations, and others like them, bring. Helping Children Smile Again offers guided support for teachers, health professionals and parents through interviews with experts in the fields of education, healthcare and parenting.

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Helping Children Smile Again with Amanda Seyderhelm

#26 How nutrition can affect a child's mood, with author and nutrition consultant Jayne Avery

July 05, 2021 • AMANDA SEYDERHELM

Today’s episode looks at the connection between mood and food in children through the lens of storytelling. My guest is a teacher and nutritional consultant Jayne Avery, author of The Secret of the Golden Cauldron.

Talking about food, the rights and wrongs, can be an emotive topic for parents. While some choose to be organic, vegan and plant-based, others might not be in a position to make that choice. Some might be in a position to, and still decide, for whatever reason, not to. But, what is scientifically proven is how eating sugar can affect a child’s mood, causing highs and lows. If the lows are aggravated by other factors such as bereavement and grief, so too a child’s confidence and self-esteem may change. This episode focuses on the important role food plays in this dynamic between environment, behaviour and mental health.

Jayne thoughtfully explores the different ways food affects mood through the characters in her book, for example:

The Crystal Lady represents the white light we get from the sun, the light that helps plants to grow - PHYTO POWER!

White light splits when it passes through a prism or a water droplet, becoming a rainbow.

The different colours of the rainbow help give fruit and vegetables their beautiful colours - PHYTO POWER!

By making the topic playful and fun, children are introduced to the real issues in a way they can understand and make sense of.

Ultimately, what difference can food make to a person’s mood?

Connect with Jayne

https://www.jayneavery.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JayneEAvery
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helpchildrentosucceed/

Connect with Amanda Seyderhelm

Subscribe to my monthly newsletter and receive my free guide: 7 steps to helping children cope with loss and grief.

If you are supporting a bereaved child, or know someone who is, you can purchase my books - Isaac and the Red Jumper (for 4-10 yr olds) and Helping Children Cope with Loss and Change

@TheKidDecoder on Twitter
@amandaseyderhelm on Instagram and Linked In