Eat to live or Live to eat?
Does your child Eat to Live or Live to Eat?
In regards to what to feed the toddler, I've encountered two types of moms in the past two days. One mom, (a stranger btw), told me that her 2-yr-old son refused the free cookie at the grocer bakery not because he is not a picky eater; he simply "eats to fuel his body." She elaborated: he eats mostly fruits and veggies and organic meats, only in handful portions, and only at certain times of the day- breakfast, lunch, one snack, and dinner. Hm. Good plan, lil' guy.
I pride myself on being a health-conscious mom, but I was impressed by this kid. He looked up at me from the grocery cart with a "yep, that's me she's talking about" expression on his adorable, healthy-looking face. He eats to live.
The second mom was completely opposite. As she and her 2-yr-old son ate McFries with McBurgers and drank McSoda, she exclaimed, "I'm just enjoying life," and "It's just a burger, it can't be that bad," and "Isn't everything bad for you somehow, really?" They live to eat.
I listened and nodded my head. Not a nod of agreement - more of a if-you-only-knew sort of nod. I didn't want to get into it with her - I like her. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to know that stuff is bad. Bad. Bad. Bad.
And even though we sat in the same McRestaurant, we were not hipocrites. As the other toddlers ate McCrappyMeals, Haile munched happily on organic turkey, carrot sticks, and a plum. We eat to live. A long, long, healthy life.
Does your child eat to live or live to eat?
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8 Answers
I don't think it's necessarily as simple as an either/or. Like everything else, the key is in moderation. Do I regularly feed my kid junk food? No. Do I let him have a few french fries on the occasions we stop for fast food? Sure. That choice might not work for parents who are passionate about feeding their children organic or vegetarian food, but ultimately that's up to the parents.
Cranky Mama
Cranky Mama
After watching so many of my friends and family stuggle with food/weight issues, I was determined to at least try to make it a little easier for my daughter. So this is the deal I make with her/myself: Monday-Saturday= 95% healthy food. If one cookie and four french fries slip through, so be it. Seriously, one of her favorite foods is brocolli!!! Sunday, though is a different story... Sunday we go to Grandma's house... I think that explains itself... I figure as long as she realizes that what we eat at Grandma's is a treat and NOT the norm she won't ALWAYS expect it. That's the plan anyway! So far, so good!
i agree, moderation is KEY. and it helps to have a plan, like yours.
we have one too. if i know we're going to be out during lunch/snack time (which is almost EVERY DAY), i pack a bag of fresh fruit, a sandwich, rice cakes, yogurt, or fresh, cut up veggies. we absolutely do not go thru fast food drive thrus. if haile is hungry in the car i can give her apple slices and a little bottle of water. we save money and we eat A LOT healthier. that's my plan and i'm stickin' to it.
MamaHall
MamaHall
Hi
Interesting discussion
My son just turned nine and I am proud to say that for the most part we are healthy eaters. He LOVES fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, chicken etc. For the past year he has been reading labels and checking out the nutritional values (he sees me doing it).
And yes, once in a while he will get a TREAT (and he has known this since a very young age) of chips or pop or whatever.
We don't eat fast food, I had him brainwashed since he was a toddler that the golden arches is where the bad food is. To HIM fast food is Subway.
He has never been a fussy eater and eats pretty much what is put in front of him. (he does not like beef or pork) It's also a matter of providing the healthy food and eating it ourselves. It drives me around the twist when parents are feeind their kids good food but are shovelling chips and pop into their own faces.
I had parents tell me "oh wait until he goes to school, his eating habits will change, he will see what the OTHER kids are eating and not eat his own lunch" Well that has yet to happen and he's in grade three. He's happy with his egg sandwhich on multigrain bread, his container of grapes and cucumber and bottle of water.
As someone who has worked with children for 15 years it amazes me how many fussy eaters are out there. If it isn't breaded or neon orange noodles they won't eat it.
Kim
I am overweight myself and will do my best to help my son eat right from the start. My partner and I have a no fast food rule, ever!!! 14 months in and we have not caved once.
No soda will also be allowed. Organic juice (watered down), water or milk. I am also determined to make sure my son does not want to sit in front of the TV, and he wants to go out a play. That is the biggest problem w/kids today, sedantary life style. So far his favorite place is anywhere but inside! Hopefully running around with Luke will help me as well.
If you shun your child completely from fast food or "bad food" your child could completely rebel against you when she's old enough to make her own decisions. I personally see nothing wrong with eating at the Mc Restaurant once in awhile. It's a treat for my son. We go there once a week to have a burger and fries. Throughout the week, he has healthy food that mommy makes for him. I like giving him a treat once in awhile....weather it's a hamburger or a cookie. Fast food every now and then is not that bad!
I think ideally you'd like a balance. I want my children and family to enjoy eating, but you can enjoy fresh fruits or pasta or a new dish. It doesn't have to be a McDonald's hamburger!
I comletely agree with Mommy Martha. Healthy food can be really really tasty. And it is false that healthy food is associated with untasty meal. I`m stick to the point that it is just a habit. After having a fresh, home-made vegetable soup, I feel myself better r than after fat and "heavy" burger. So I think we should develop these habits of healthy eating in our kidds and make them have positive associations with healthy food.
Healthy Eating
Healthy Eating