Given the recent listeria outbreak, I'm wondering if there's a way to protect my kids from getting listeriosis in the future. What should I look out for or be careful of when choosing foods and preparing meals?
Jeanette C. e-mailed us at expert@sweetspot.ca; and our nutrition expert, Lianne Phillipson-Webb, answered:
Protecting our children from food borne illnesses is a worry for all parents. Don’t despair, there is plenty that can be done.
1. Boost your immune system via the digestive tract.
Taking a probiotics supplement of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus acidophilus every day provides the body with an extra boost it needs to fight off most bacteria. Infants under one year of age also need an extra probiotic by the name of Bifidobacterium infantis for their immature systems. Eating foods rich in probiotics such as plain yogurt can also help. (But avoid sweetened or fruit varieties as the added sugar decreases the intended effects.)
2. Avoid processed foods.
I recommend limiting or even avoiding processed kinds found in the chilled section or deli counter. From a nutrition aspect, these meats are mass produced and are not “real” chicken, turkey, beef or pork. In the case of hot dogs, we all know that they are made of processed meat and not comparable to a sausage for instance, which is made of ground meat.
3. Buy from small, local butchers.
Buying from smaller or local butchers where they can tell you where your meat has come from will give you more confidence in what you are buying. And they may even sell their own sliced meat that comes from a turkey breast and is cooked in store. A much healthier option.
4. Use your own leftovers for sandwiches or salads the next day.
By cooking two more chicken breasts than your family will eat for dinner makes an easy and convenient instant meal, and you know that you washed your hands well!
Use this incident to re-assess what you are buying and turn it into a positive for you and your family. If it helps you to eat more nutritious and healthy food, maybe even think outside the sandwich… I would say it was a good lesson learned!
Registered Nutritionist (Dip. ION and RNCP) and mother of two, Lianne Phillipson-Webb is the founder Sprout Right, a health and nutrition service specializing in pre-conception, pre-natal and post-natal care for women and their families.