We can't stand back and let companies expose our children to chemicals that are known to cause health and reproductive problems.

Parents need to be advocates for the health and future of our children. On whether you should change your buying habits in light of this, Avena adds: 'When it comes to our children's health, quality of food is much more important than convenience, especially in light of this new information about phthalates. These Macaroni and Cheese Muffins are a fun way to change up your kid's favorite dinner. There have been several studies showing that phthalate exposure can lead to a reduction in fertility.' All children need to gain weight as they mature, but for some kids gaining the right amount of weight can be a tough hurdle to overcome.Here is a list of healthy weight gaining foods for kids to. They're there because of food packaging and food-handling equipment,' Avena adds. 'They can act as endocrine disruptors-meaning they are hormone-mimicking chemicals. 'Phthalates are found in foods, but they are not put there naturally.

Regarding how serious this news is for you and your family, Nicole Avena, Ph.D., an assistant professor of neuroscience at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and a visiting professor of Health Psychology at Princeton University, tells Eat This, Not That!: 'Parents should be very concerned about the use of phthalates.' In a large pot of salted water cook the pasta according to package directions drain 2-3 minutes before al-dente. As National Law Review points out, similar cases have been dismissed in which 'the basis that the failure to disclose trace, non-harmful amounts of a chemical does not constitute misleading advertising where the substance is pervasive in the environment and present in many foods.' Concerns About Phthalates

Healthy macaroni and cheese for kids