Eat Dirt - It's Good For You!

[10ClarionSt]

There was an article in The Sunday Times last week by a woman who said we are trying to protect children too much by having too many health scares. She reckoned that childrens' immune systems are being affected so-called healthy lifestyles. Many people on here will be baby boomers like me, born in 1948. What health awareness was there then, and on into the following decades? Virtually none. I could mention the lifestyle that we had, if you could call it a lifestyle. But here I am, 68 yrs old and no health problems. NONE. AT ALL. So the environment back then couldn't have been that bad could it? Promoting a healthy lifestyle means big profits for lots of companies. I don't go for any of it. Live how you want to and eat what you like. That's my philosophy. However, I should point out that I don't smoke and don't drink alcohol. Could those have anything to do with it?

[ummmm]

I think we've all known for a long time that germs are not bad.

[jno]

you're lucky; I'm a baby boomer but I do have (mild) health problems. Your lack of them isn't necessarily due to a childhood diet of mud pies.

[Smowball]

I agree. I know a woman who very unexpectedly found herself pregnant at 44. She gave birth and was so terrified of him catching anything that she was forever wiping down worktops, floors, bleaching anything and everything. That child became the sickest boy I ever knew. He caught everything going and don't think I ever saw him healthy!

[Mamyalynne]

Born 1953, they knew what was good for us - fruit, veg etc but often had to feed us what filled us - spuds, bread etc.

It was the post war time of feeding up babies, hence Bonny (chubby) baby comps and malt extract ,rose hip syrup and fortified orange juice from the baby clinic.

I don't buy into this sterile wipes for everything - common sense cleanliness is fine.

Love to see a happy child digging in mud.

[ummmm]

Comparing my kids with my sisters kids hers were always snotty and sickly and mine were hardly ever ill. I was much more of a clean freak than her. The only difference is that mine were breast fed and her were bottled fed.

[Mamyalynne]

Good point re breast feeding Ummmm.

[campbellking]

I had no health problems until earlier this year, but then went on to make very good friends with the A + E professionals where I work by having repeated prolonged runs of SVT. Was yesterday informed by the blood donation mob that they don't want me any more, so after 60 units given, have taken away my target of 100 donations . Feel like I've been pensioned off at the age of 50!

[ummmm]

My mother was born in 1952 and has suffered asthma all her life.

[Mamyalynne]

Campbel, don't feel that way - you've done your bit for certain.

Take care.

[ummmm]

Clarion - my nieces and nephews are healthy adults but were sickly children.

[horselady]

Just had long forgotten memory of making mud pies and decorating them with the heads of daisies, probably had filthy hands and got mud in my mouth but yep, grew up pretty healthy!

[campbellking]

Thank-you Mamya.

[jno]

I knew a few asthmatics, Clarion; the girl over the road died from it at the age of 13 or so. She didn't lead a particularly germ-free life though, just normal.

Didn't have smog where I come from, never have, but when London had a peasouper in 1952 it's estimated that 12,000 people died from it, so weak chests aren't new. It may be that just because these mass killers are a thing of the past, we're more alert to the risk to individuals.

[horselady]

Another thing that intrigues me is the allergy thing. I certainly don't remember it from my own childhood and even when my kids were small in the early 70s I don't remember ever being aware of being careful of nuts, except as a choking hazard. My grandson has a severe peanut allergy. We're these things always around but we didn't know, or is that another by-product of too much protection?

[ummmm]

I remember as a kid that although we ate fruit and veg we didn't eat the wide range we do today so allergies are bound to seem worse.

[chrissa1]

I'm three years older than you, Mamya and I totally agree with you. Common sense cleanliness for me, everytime.

[-SharonA-]

I agree too. My Mum always said 'a little bit of dirt won't kill you'
My dil is obsessive with hand steriliser, antiseptic wipes at the ready.

[roopower]

There's clean and there's over clean. My grandsons are a pair of muckslinks as my dad would have called them. They jump in puddles, roll in leaves and generally get filthy and that's how it should be. Too many antibacterials can't be good for the immune system, it stands to reason.