Encouraging a child to eat healthy foods can be a difficult task, especially if that child is a fussy eater. Knowing that childhood obesity is now occurring in epidemic proportions and that other childhood illnesses such as eczema, asthma and behavioural disturbances are on the rise, the importance of eating for health, especially in childhood...

French scientists studying lactating mice say they can add an important piece of evidence to a charged debate as to whether breastfeeding helps protect a child against asthma.

French scientists studying lactating mice say they can add an important piece of evidence to a charged debate as to whether breastfeeding helps protect a child against asthma.

Have you counted the instances, when you're found your asthmatic child, waking up in the middle of the night, wheezing and struggling to breathe? You would have instantly blamed the attack on various reasons like the winter chill, your pet's body hair, dust and dirt, pollen from flowers etc.

Eating a Mediterranean diet - lots of fish, fresh fruits and vegetables and some dairy - during pregnancy could protect your unborn child from developing allergies or asthma

The Mediterranean Diet Pyramid is a nutrition guide that was developed by Oldways, the Harvard School of Public Health, and the World Health Organization in 1993. It refers to the traditional Mediterranean Diet pattern of eating, suggesting the types and frequency of foods that should be enjoyed every day.The diet is closely tied traditionally to areas of olive oil cultivation in the Mediterranean region. The pyramid, structured in light of current nutrition research and representing a healthy, traditional Mediterranean diet, is based on the dietary traditions of Crete, Greece and southern Italy circa 1960 at a time when the rates of chronic disease were among the lowest in the world, and adult life expectancy was among the highest, even though medical services were limited. These findings were established in large part by scientist Ancel Keys.The pyramid is divided into daily, weekly, and monthly frequencies, but does not recommend serving sizes.Extensive nutrition science research has concluded that the Mediterranean diet consumption pattern promotes good health and longevity. Studies linking the Mediterranean diet and decreased risk of illnesses such as lung disease and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as protection against allergies and asthma have been published. Further information about these can be seen in the references below.