If you don’t like to eat fruit whole, the power drinks made from creamy, pureed fruit are ideal

“In the nine months before the birth, there is far more than a rigidly predetermined development that ends with the birth of a baby”, says the chairman of the Children’s Health Foundation, Professor Dr. Berthold Koletzko quoted on the online platform schwangerundkind.de. “” According to our current knowledge, the nutrients, trace elements and stress hormones that enter the child’s circulation from the mother via the placenta are decisive in determining whether a person will develop diseases of civilization such as high blood pressure or diabetes in the course of their life, whether they are overweight or dangerous develops high cholesterol and is therefore susceptible to diseases of the cardiovascular system and metabolism. “”

Because not only the pleasure drugs alcohol and nicotine, which are rightly considered to be particularly harmful, get into the organism of the unborn child via the maternal metabolism. Almost all influences and stimuli to which an expectant mother is exposed during her pregnancy also affect the child. The majority of research now assumes that it is precisely these influences that determine people’s health and susceptibility to disease for a lifetime.

The “” programming “” influence of diet

Doctors refer to this health preprogramming in the womb as “” fetal programming “”. In no phase of life do people grow or develop faster than in the nine months up to their birth. For this reason, every slight disturbance has a much stronger effect. For example, the effects of diet during pregnancy are known. Children who are born too small because the mother was not adequately nourished or even starved have a significantly higher risk of heart attacks in old age. This is the result of a study by the English epidemiologist David Baker. After that, the risk of having a heart attack later increases in newborns who weigh less than 2.5 kilograms by 50 percent.

“” The programming influences of nutrition in the earliest phase of life on health in later life are a particularly important topic in biomedical research today, “” emphasizes Professor Koletzko. It is not only malnutrition that affects the lifelong health of the unborn child. Even if the expectant mother eats too much and puts on excess weight, this has consequences. As a rule, the child is then oversupplied and too difficult to be born. Fat babies are more likely to develop asthma, allergies or diabetes later on, and are even more likely to develop cancer. So it is important to find the golden mean when it comes to nutrition. “If mothers are not careful, they can set the course for obesity and diabetes with their children before they are born,” warns nutritionist Arne Astrup from the University of Copenhagen.

Stress hormones are transmitted to the child

However, it is not just diet during pregnancy that has an impact on children’s health “programming”. Even if expectant mothers often suffer from severe stress, this seems to have a lasting effect on the child’s health. The stress hormones released also get into the fetus’s organism. Effects usually cannot be observed immediately after birth and often not even in childhood – they show up years later. Studies in the Netherlands have shown that children who were still in their womb during the tank war in 1940 were particularly susceptible to diabetes, high blood pressure and schizophrenia during their lifetime.

Stress factors such as fear, anger as well as occupational and private overload of a pregnant woman have just as negative effects on the health of the child as an unhealthy diet. Even so, of course, not every little excitement has dramatic consequences for the baby and its later development. It would therefore be of little help to stress yourself with constant worry about the consequences of your own behavior for the child.critical analysis of to kill a mockingbird Because the best way to develop is for the unborn child to grow up in the womb of a balanced, loving and relaxed mother who feels satisfied and looks forward to the new life.

If your own child coughs and can no longer stop, or even breathlessness develops due to the strong coughing attack, this is an extreme situation for the parents too. Keeping calm is the top priority here. Because panicking can make the situation even worse.

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Excitement worsens the coughing fit

If a toddler coughs and barks heavily and is short of breath, his parents should not panic. You’d better try to calm it down and kidding, advises the German Professional Association of Ear, Nose and Throat Doctors in Neumünster. Because the shortness of breath known as pseudo croup only worsens through fear and excitement.

Fresh air helps against the acute cough

It is also important that the child gets fresh air as quickly as possible. According to the bandage, the symptoms, which usually occur in the evening or at night, suddenly subside in cold air and high humidity. Nevertheless, it is advisable to see a doctor as soon as possible to clarify the cause. Pseudo croup is usually the result of an acute virus-induced laryngitis.

Correctly assess the seriousness of the situation

In the event that the acute shortness of breath is severe, parents should call the emergency services. The emergency can be recognized by the fact that the skin is visibly drawn in between the ribs when breathing, whistling noises can be heard when breathing and the nostrils tremble. Other signs include pale gray skin and bluish discoloration of the lips.

Smoothies: as good as fruit? (Photo: T-Online) No annoying peeling, but handy packaging and a pleasant taste: More and more consumers are turning to liquid fruit from the bottle. So-called smoothies are trendy. Almost 16 million liters were sold in Germany in 2007. But now a leading dentist has warned against the carefree enjoyment of these new types of drinks. The products, mostly consisting of pureed fruit, would attack the teeth more than eating the whole fruit, said the director of the polyclinic for children’s dentistry in Giessen, Willi-Eckhard Wetzel, the “Focus”. He thus confirmed corresponding warnings from Great Britain. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) had already criticized the trend drinks. They are not a substitute for fresh fruit and vegetables. In addition, the quality of the products is very different. Vitamins in fruits and vegetables Ten common misconceptions about vitamins

Less satiety, less taste

Dentist Wetzel explained that people who drink fruit instead of eating it produce less saliva. But this protects against acid and fructose. “Anyone who eats a fruit chews – and sends a signal to the brain that stimulates the flow of saliva,” says Wetzel. This signal is weaker when the fruit is simply “” poured into the oral cavity. DGE spokeswoman Antje Gahl explains: “” Compared to direct fruit and vegetable consumption, the content of important ingredients in smoothies is significantly lower. “” In addition, fresh fruit and vegetables would contribute better to satiety due to their large volume. The chewing experience and the great variety of flavors are also lost with smoothies. “” Chewing prolongs the process of eating, which in turn enhances the satiety effect, “” says the nutrition expert.

Offer and quality unmanageable

Another point of criticism from the expert: With more and more products on the market, the range on offer is becoming more and more obscure. “Lately we have been increasingly observing attempts by many companies to market everything under the term ‘smoothie'”, explained Antje Gahl. Some products are mainly made from juice or juice concentrates and therefore hardly differ from normal fruit juices. “” Real smoothies only consist of fruit pulp or puree, not-from-concentrate juices and, if necessary, pieces of fruit, “says Gahl.

Problematic advertising messages

In Gahl’s view, the advertising statements of some smoothies manufacturers are also problematic. They advertise, for example, that 100 milliliters of their product can eat half of the recommended daily ration of fruit and vegetables. “” The minimum recommendations given are based on an amount of 400 grams per day set by the World Health Organization, which also applies in developing countries with low availability and low fruit and vegetable consumption, “says Gahl. For Germany, however, the DGE recommendation is much higher at 600 to 650 grams.

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Healthy nutrition made easy “” – promise the manufacturers of the liquid fruit bombs from the refrigerated shelves. And in fact, the trendy fruit drinks are often used as a substitute for apple, pear Consumed co. But is what is in the small plastic bottles really pure healthy nutrition?

Liquid fattening foods

What is actually in the handy little bottle often leads to disillusionment on closer inspection, because the term “smoothie” is not protected! The main criticism is that fruit peels are not found in the smoothie. In order to achieve a creamier consistency, they are removed before pureeing. However, a number of vitamins, fiber and phytochemicals are lost along with the protective shell. In addition, the pulp is heated before filling. This kills possible germs, but also lowers the vitamin content. Some smoothies also contain colors, preservatives, flavors and sugar. And the calorie content is also comparatively high at around 60 kilocalories per 100 milliliters!

Healthy fruit bombs

If you would like to know in which cases freshly prepared smoothies are justified and help your diet to get an extra healthy portion of fruit, then visit the SMOOTHIE special in our health magazine.

Smoothies taste delicious, are healthy and a very pleasant way to enjoy fruit and vegetables. They are ideal as snacks between meals, provided they consist of real fruit pulp and not mainly fruit juice, like some ready-made products. The best thing to do is to mix the colorful fruit drinks yourself. It’s quick and the best thing is that you can always vary the fruit – depending on the season, your own taste or the health effects. Try out the recipes from the book “Smoothies” by Monika Braun:

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Five a day – that’s how it works

Most Germans don’t eat enough fruit and vegetables. But juice is a popular drink. Monika Braun cleverly combines both in her book “Smoothies”: Fresh raw food in liquid form. If you don’t like to eat fruit whole, the power drinks made from creamy, pureed fruit are ideal. Every glass contains as many vitamins, minerals, trace elements and soluble fiber as otherwise only in a huge mountain of raw food. The recipes usually only have around 200 kilocalories.

The ingredients are crucial

Very little is needed for smoothies. Different types of fruit and sometimes vegetables, crushed ice or milk ensure the creamy consistency. The taste of very tart fruits can be rounded off with maple syrup or honey, while lime or lemon juice give very sweet fruits a fresh note. There are no limits to the choice of fruit, all domestic and exotic fruits are suitable. For vegetable smoothies you use vegetables that you can eat raw: cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, sprouts or herbs. If you like it particularly healthy, you can use organic products.

Important kitchen helpers

Electric stand mixers with a large plastic or glass attachment, a powerful motor and an ice crash function are ideal for smoothie lovers. You can also mix well with attachments on kitchen machines. A hand blender is also suitable for the first attempts. If you have a not so powerful model, it is best to chop hard fruits beforehand. If you don’t have an ice crasher, you can also crush the ice manually: Put a small amount of ice cubes in a freezer bag and hit it vigorously with the rolling pin. After such a small fitness program, a homemade smoothie tastes twice as good.

Vacuum cleaners are one of the biggest sources of bacteria in the household. (Photo: Imago) Vacuum cleaner, washing machine and refrigerator – what everyone considers the epitome of hygiene is often a breeding ground for pathogens. As English researchers at the University of Bath have found, intestinal bacteria and mite excrement can survive in the vacuum cleaner bag for up to two months. In the case of poor exhaust air filtering or overfull filter bags, the germs are then distributed in the apartment. But there are other dangerous sources of bacteria in the home. We’ll show you what you can do about these unpleasant contemporaries.

Washing machine rash

Washing machines also offer a comfortable nest for numerous bacilli. With energy-saving washing temperatures below 40 degrees, pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus have ideal conditions to spread. The germs can cause skin infections, pneumonia and blood poisoning, among other things. Professor Martin Exner from the Institute for Hygiene and Public Health at the University of Bonn therefore recommends washing towels and underwear in particular at at least 60 degrees in order to render the pathogens harmless. In the family handbook of the State Institute for Early Education, he recommends using a hygiene rinse at lower temperatures and then drying the laundry as quickly as possible, ideally in the sun. Because UV radiation kills bacteria. Towels, dishcloths and dusters that are used when preparing food should generally be washed separately from the rest of the laundry.

It lives in some refrigerators

Most bacteria, however, lurk in the kitchen.