Last Saturday, I went to a friend’s birthday party at UPLB. I saw some of my college friends again. D, a male friend, brought his wife with him who was eight months pregnant. When I saw his pregnant wife, I remembered the time I was still carrying Vito in my womb.I was probably at my most health-conscious state during those nine special months of nursing Vito inside me. I was always on the Internet searching for information on pregnancy, proper nutrition, sex life during pregnancy, and other related topics. I also bought some books and magazines to keep myself in the loop when it comes to parenting, motherhood, and pregnancy topics.

Of the many information I got during my pregnancy, the most helpful was the one on food additives to look out for while expecting. Sadly, almost all food on our grocery shelves are in some way glazed with some form of food additive to increase shelf life or to add flavor or taste or improve aesthetics. Knowing this, pregnant women should know what to buy and what not to buy on their next stop at the grocery store.

Mommies, look at the list of ingredients of the products you are purchasing. If it contains any of the following below, then make sure to avoid them:

1.] Artificial food colorings. Although most food colors are safe, there are a few others that pregnant women should look out for. It’s definitely a red light for the following food colors - blue 1, blue 2, green 3, red 3 and yellow 6.

If the food label does not disclose the food colors used and just puts the words “artificial coloring,” please do not buy them. Artificial food colors are linked to attention deficit and hyperactivity in children. It was also referred to as a possible carcinogen.

2.] MSG (Monosodium glutamate). MSG is a common food additive especially in Asian foods. It is synthetically-made and is used to enhance flavor and taste.

“There has been some research studies looking at MSG’s potential for causing birth defects in animals. In high doses, the additive has been found to cross the placenta and cause damage in a developing mice’s brain. It has also has been linked to behavioral problems. But this has all yet to be substantiated, especially in human studies and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) believes that MSG is safe to eat for the majority of the population.” (Is MSG Safe During Pregnancy, Pregnancy Today)

3.] Olean. Otherwise known as olestra, olean is a fat substitute mostly used in snacks and chips. It does not directly harm an expectant mom or her baby but this additive has been shown to deplete important vitamins ADEK and may cause nutrients to be poorly absorbed. It may also cause digestive discomfort. Thus, olean may just deny you and your baby the important nutrients needed by your body.

4.] Artificial sweeteners (aspartame, saccharin, sucralose).

Aspartame was said to be safe for the general public. However, there is an exception for pregnant women with PKU, or phenylketonuria. PKU is a metabolic disorder wherein a person cannot break down phenylalanine properly.

“If these women consume products that contain aspartame, the phenylalanine builds up in their bodies, possibly causing their babies to be born with severe mental disabilities.” (Food Additives/Preservatives and Pregnancy, Pregnancy Weekly)

In addition, aspartame is used to cut calories. On the contrary, pregnant women should have high calorie intake to ensure the proper growth and development of her baby. Thus, it is recommended that women avoid aspartame during pregnancy.

Saccharine was one of the first artificial sweeteners ever made. Although it is no longer as abundant in the market as before, it is still advised that pregnant women check the food labels of what they eat.

“Saccharine can cross the placenta barrier into fetal blood, and a fetus is much slower to clear the saccharine from its blood than the mom. So if you are consuming large amounts of saccharin, it may accumulate in the baby’s bladder and potentially increase its risk for bladder problems or possibly even bladder cancer.” (Saccharine: Safe during Pregnancy?)

Sucralose, also known under the trade name splenda, has been considered safe for most people, including pregnant women.

“Sucralose being used in a variety of products including baked goods, dessert items, salad dressings, dairy substitutes, beverages and beverage mixes, jams and jellies, syrups, coffee, tea and chewing gum.” (Splenda: Safe during Pregnancy?)

Even so, because as mentioned earlier, artificial sweeteners reduce calorie intake. Thus, a pregnant woman might not be able to take in the sufficient calories and fats needed to have a healthy pregnancy.

List all the additives down and make sure that whatever you pull out from the grocery shelf is safe for you and your baby. Happy pregnancy!!!

Vito @ 7 days and hubby

What really got me to thinking about this was a recent article saying that many parents admit they bribe their child. Vito is just a year and two months old but I admit, I think I am guilty of bribing my kid. It never occurred to me before that I was already unconsciously doing it, until I read that article.One particular example is this: Vito does not like wearing caps or anything on his head. To convince him to put on a cap on a sunny day or during a nighttime stroll, I tell him “Vito, wear your hat. If you do, I’ll bring you to your grand dad.”

There is nothing wrong about rewarding our kids as long it is done the right way, as a way to improve their performance rather than just to make them perform or do things. Rewards should be viewed as adding value to something.

The problem about overdoing the rewards system of parenting is that our children tend to do something to gain something, in turn, making them lose the essence of why do it in the first place. As mentioned in the article I read, there was a child who would not brush his teeth without asking what he’ll get in return. That’s just too depressing. I don’t know how I would react if that would happen to me.

As I evaluate my own childhood, there were things I did to get rewards. However, my parents were able to explain to me the value of doing things. To me, the best reward I ever had was to see my parents so proud of me. That meant more to me than the money my dad used to give me when I topped an exam in college, an ice cream gallon [my choice of flavor] when I got an award in elementary, or a dinner at a fine dining restaurant in town.

Parents just have to communicate to their child the benefits of doing good and not emphasize on the reward. We parents should make our point by illustrating the reward as icing on the cake and the real fulfillment is getting things done the good, right, or proper way.

Have you experienced being “bribed” as a child?
Do you “bribe” your child?
Will you “bribe” your child?

Tell me about it.

Dearest Dad,

A million thoughts of you breezed through my mind today. The one thought that lingered was that fateful day we got on that bus. That was, without doubt, the longest busride of my life. Who would have known back then that we were bound for a longer journey together called “marriage.”

I am young and vibrant, with a lot of dreams. Settling down, as my friends and family would say, was not for me. Not that early. They even asked me a gazillion times, “How about your dreams and aspirations? You can’t just put them aside.” Yes, of course, I could not just set all my dreams aside but I could not, in the same way, just shun that moment to finally walk life with the person I love the most. Yes, dad, you certainly fit into the puzzle. If I could only highlight the word married in my resume to emphasize how happy I am to be your wife, I would.

I still feel the rush of love filling my soul when I reminisce that long busride. It was the day I recognized my lifetime partner in you. I looked into your eyes and saw my future in it. It was you all along, Cols. Just you.

Our relationship is not perfect because perfect is just synonymous to boring. Let me say that our partnership is intense, pure, fidel, and consistent. Others may laugh at the consistent part but I take the privilege of using that word to describe “us.” Consistent because we always take time to argue, get angry for the other’s foolishness or forgetfulness, tell each other the things we do not like about each other, but we do all that holding each other’s hands, or wrapped in a tight embrace or whispering at the end of the sermon, I love you so much.

We’re a great team dad and we have Vito now, an oh-so spectacular addition.

I love you both. Only God could love you more.

Your wife and best friend,

Angela