Most kids love a tall glass of milk, mac and cheese, and dessert. But for some, their love for these indulgences is causing more than just a sugar rush—it’s actually causing a disease.
It’s what is being called ‘Milk and Cookie Disease.’
What is Milk and Cookie Disease?
Treatments have recently been tested on children who were otherwise healthy, but had chronic runny and stuffy noses, coughs, sore throats, constipation, and fatigue. The children weren’t improving on prescription medications.
It was discovered that in many cases, the kids were eating lots of dairy and sugar throughout the day and snacking right before bedtime. This food was likely backing up into the stomach, the esophagus, and the throat and causing reflux, cold- and allergy-like symptoms, and sleep problems.
Parents were advised to eliminate all dairy and sugar before bedtime, and their symptoms improved significantly. So many American children may be suffering from these symptoms for the same reason.
A growing problem
Kids are sitting down less for meals and snacking more than ever. In fact, about 25 percent of children snack after dinner, according to a survey by the American Dietetic Association Foundation.
It is estimated that approximately 50 to 75 percent of children have Milk and Cookie Disease, eating lots of dairy and sugar, as well as snacking before bedtime. They are otherwise healthy but have these symptoms without any other medical reason.
Five-year-old Jonathan Giambrone is one of these children. A heavy snorer since he was a baby, his enlarged tonsils and adenoids made it difficult to sleep. “It was really hard for him to take in a breath; he sounded like Darth Vader,” said Becky Giambrone, Jonathan’s mother of Winter Park, Fla.
Eating also became such a chore that he would pick foods that were easy to swallow, like yogurt, smoothies, applesauce and cottage cheese. And every night he would drink chocolate milk before going to sleep.
Yet all this dairy and sugar was actually causing reflux, which made it even harder for him to breath. His mother cut down on Jonathan’s nighttime snacking and allowed him to drink only water before bedtime. In a three week period, a substantial difference was noticed.
If you think your child may have Milk and Cookie Disease, here’s what you can do:
Keep a food journal
We’re all busy people and no one’s really thinking about what their kids are eating all the time. Parents are often surprised by how much dairy and sugar their kids are eating each day when they started to keep track of it.
Stop the bedtime snack habit
Your child shouldn’t have any snacks 90 minutes to two hours before bedtime to avoid food sitting in the stomach before bed. No milk, juice, soda, and snacks with dairy and sugar – and offer water only.
Offer healthy snacks only
If your kid is still hungry after dinner, rather than a bowl of cereal, offer healthier options like fruits and vegetables and nuts.
Treat constipation
A balanced diet filled with fiber rich foods like fruits and vegetables can relieve constipation. A laxative can temporarily help too, but if your kid isn’t getting better, it’s best to talk with your doctor.
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