Re: Kids and diets

[Guest guest]

My kids are big fast food and junk food eaters... And now its starting to show

they are getting chunky... So now we are just trying to eat healthier.. I am no

longer buying the frozen pre packaged foods that I used to buy, frozen meals

frozen pizzas and no longer the cookies and little debbie snacks.. Usually when

we go to the grocery store they have cookies for samples out.. I let them have

it at that time.. its limited to 1 and they cannot go overboad and its not in my

house for them to eat.. I make all the food that they eat now..

We also do not get fast food much anymore. We just can't afford it. If we do

we go to subway and get the special 4 6inch subs for 10.99 and they can get what

they want there.. I believe Mcs now has where the kids can get apple

slices and milk instead of the soda and fries and also s now has different

options available as well... I am also encouraging them to exercise more with

me. They actually love going on walks with me around the block or neighborhood,

and it helps me and them..

<carrmommy3@...> wrote:

Are any of you doing anything differntly with you children. It is so

easy to go to Mcs (or wherever) get myself a salad and get

them " junk " . I thought about it this morning what am I teaching them.

Grown ups eat bunny food kids get greasy fried junk? We have cut back A

LOT on our fast food. But even at home its easy to make them a pizza

but I eat good for you food. Does that all make sense I'm kinda

rambling SORRY =)

My kids are big into fruit - but they love cookies etc... Are you more

concious of their eating habits when you are tryng to loose weight. I

just don't want my kids to be overweight as adults. People are mean.

Highest Weight 235

Current Weight 222

Goal Weight 125 =)

www.freewebs.com/carrfam/

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

When my boys were younger, I would let them help plan the menu for one meal.

They picked out the recipes/food. They made up the shopping list. They helped

me with the shopping for those items. They helped me make the meal.

If you get the kids involved in the meal planning & prep, you'll find that you

can have some good, quality time with them while you are doing these things.

You will also be teaching them how to cook for themselves when they are adults.

It has been interesting to see my 17-year old son and his girlfriend. He is the

one that knows how to cook, because I taught him to early on. His girlfriend

doesn't really know how to cook, because she has never had to. Although, she is

very content to let him do the cooking & she will do the dishes!

<carrmommy3@...> wrote: Are any of

you doing anything differntly with you children. It is so

easy to go to Mcs (or wherever) get myself a salad and get

them " junk " . I thought about it this morning what am I teaching them.

Grown ups eat bunny food kids get greasy fried junk? We have cut back A

LOT on our fast food. But even at home its easy to make them a pizza

but I eat good for you food. Does that all make sense I'm kinda

rambling SORRY =)

My kids are big into fruit - but they love cookies etc... Are you more

concious of their eating habits when you are tryng to loose weight. I

just don't want my kids to be overweight as adults. People are mean.

Dacia

<><

He lives, all glory to his name! He lives, my savior, still the same;

What joy this blest assurance gives: I know that my Redeemer lives!

[Guest guest]

> Are any of you doing anything differntly with you children.

> It is so

> easy to go to Mcs (or wherever) get myself a salad and get

> them " junk " . I thought about it this morning what am I teaching them.

> Grown ups eat bunny food kids get greasy fried junk? We have cut back A

> LOT on our fast food. But even at home its easy to make them a pizza

> but I eat good for you food. Does that all make sense I'm kinda

> rambling SORRY =)

I've always been sort of strict with what my kids can have, and for a

while we were definitely falling into the fast food trap. We do pizza

about once a week (and I'll have a slice, too), but we don't keep junk

food around at all. No pop tarts, no sugar cereals, no chocolate

milk, no soda, no chips. The problem with me has always been

portions, not *what* I'm eating. For a while there, though, I was

making 3-4 different plates of food at each meal because dh is picky

and while my kids aren't overly picky, they have very different taste

(and one has a lot of food allergies). Now I make one thing (usually

from Jo Lund's cookbook) and that's what we all eat. *shrugs* I

don't like feeling like I'm on a strict diet and when everyone else

eats pizza and I don't, it gets to me (and, like you said, what kind

of signal are we sending to our kids?).

> My kids are big into fruit - but they love cookies etc... Are you more

> concious of their eating habits when you are tryng to loose weight. I

> just don't want my kids to be overweight as adults. People are mean.

It's not just a matter of people being mean, either. It's harder to

find clothes, you're more likely to have health problems, on and on

and on. My kids get treats on occassion because I don't want them to

binge if they think they're only going to get it once a year or

something. But that's just me

-Bonnie

[Guest guest]

It is interesting reading this thread. Growing up what was cooked was what

we ate..period.

One of my sisters did get a few special considerations because of her

numerous food allergies, but otherwise that was it.

We didn't have junk food around the house and rarely ate out.

I think a lot of it comes back to portions.

My sister with the food allergies has a 2 year old, and watching the way she

is feeding him is really interesting.

Neither my sister or her husband ever have " meal time " , my nephew rarely

eats sitting at a table...often it is food in a baggie that he can eat

himself as he toddles around.

I will be curious to see how he does weight wise in the future.

I know that my sister has problems with NOT eating..she fluctuates from a

healthy 130 to 95 pounds, she prefers the 95, we like her at about 120 the

best, thin but not scary!

So it will be interesting to see how he grows up.

My sister is also severly OCD and we are starting to see these tendancies in

her toddler. Right now he is completely obsessed

with her hair products and hair clips. Cute at 2...we will see what it is

like at 3.

-Heidi

On 6/13/06, brgk44 <brgk44@...> wrote:

>

> > Are any of you doing anything differntly with you children.

> > It is so

> > easy to go to Mcs (or wherever) get myself a salad and get

> > them " junk " . I thought about it this morning what am I teaching them.

> > Grown ups eat bunny food kids get greasy fried junk? We have cut back A

> > LOT on our fast food. But even at home its easy to make them a pizza

> > but I eat good for you food. Does that all make sense I'm kinda

> > rambling SORRY =)

>

> I've always been sort of strict with what my kids can have, and for a

> while we were definitely falling into the fast food trap. We do pizza

> about once a week (and I'll have a slice, too), but we don't keep junk

> food around at all. No pop tarts, no sugar cereals, no chocolate

> milk, no soda, no chips. The problem with me has always been

> portions, not *what* I'm eating. For a while there, though, I was

> making 3-4 different plates of food at each meal because dh is picky

> and while my kids aren't overly picky, they have very different taste

> (and one has a lot of food allergies). Now I make one thing (usually

> from Jo Lund's cookbook) and that's what we all eat. *shrugs* I

> don't like feeling like I'm on a strict diet and when everyone else

> eats pizza and I don't, it gets to me (and, like you said, what kind

> of signal are we sending to our kids?).

>

> > My kids are big into fruit - but they love cookies etc... Are you more

> > concious of their eating habits when you are tryng to loose weight. I

> > just don't want my kids to be overweight as adults. People are mean.

>

> It's not just a matter of people being mean, either. It's harder to

> find clothes, you're more likely to have health problems, on and on

> and on. My kids get treats on occassion because I don't want them to

> binge if they think they're only going to get it once a year or

> something. But that's just me

>

> -Bonnie

>

>

>

>

>

>

> 100-Plus Files page 100-plus/files

> 100-Plus Links page 100-plus/links

>

[Guest guest]

Tonight the kids and I are going to make Pizza Popover Pie that Bonnie

recommended from Joanna Lund's book Cooking Healthy with Kids in Mind. I hope

they like it. We'll keep trying different recipes. Lynn keeps saying that

she has to learn to cook since I'm going back to work. She is 9. I like

cooking with the kids and it is definately an important life skill.

I'm a firm believer in everything in moderation. Having fast food occasionally

is fine but we're doing our kids a disservice if we give them junk on a regular

basis. started buying sugar cereal a long time ago and I need to start

weaning them off it. That is really the only bad thing that they have on a

regular basis. also buys pop tarts for Lynn. I hate those even more than

kid cereal. What are healthy kid breakfasts? They don't like oatmeal or eggs.

They like biscuits which are fine occasionally but not every day. They like

plain Cheerios which aren't loaded with sugar.

We only have chips for picnics or camp outs. My kids had Twinkies once and

probably Ding Dongs once on camp outs with . They do eat Gold Fish and

pretzels for snacks. They like Wheat Ritz.

They are annoyingly picky but our rule right now is that they have to try

everything and then they can fill up on fruit, veggies and yogurt.

Have you seen Honey We're Killing the Kids? I think the doctor is annoying and

the age progression pictures are stupid but the general premise is good. Some

of those people should be ashamed by what they let their kids eat every day.

Gotta take the kids to get their teeth cleaned then we'll cook dinner. I really

want to involve them in meal planning and preparation, especially since I'm

going back to work and it would be too easy to slide into the fast

food/restaurant trap.

Ann

[Guest guest]

>What are healthy kid breakfasts? They don't like oatmeal or eggs.

If they're not breakfast food eaters, just give them what you might normally

give them for lunch. There's nothing wrong with having a PB & J sandwich for

breakfast and ham and cheese sandwich for lunch, especially since you said

they're eating ww breads. Just today I had one of the Amy's band Breakfast

Burritos for my breakfast. You can even make up a bunch of burritos yourself

and keep them in the freezer and just nuke them on busy mornings.

> They like plain Cheerios which aren't loaded with sugar.

Look around the health food aisle in the supermarket - there are plenty of

cereals there that aren't super sweet, and many of those that *are*

pre-sweetened do so with fruit juice instead of sugar or corn syrup.

> I really want to involve them in meal planning and preparation,

Maybe do so as a means to a Girl Scout badge. They *do* still have badges

for things like cooking, right? I know Scouts have changed so much since I

was one!

Sue in NJ

[Guest guest]

I try to be aware of there food intake. M-Th when they get home they are

allowed only fruit or yogurt. Fri they get a treat do to they went to school

all week. That will stop in the summer. I try to stock up on 100 cal packs,

fat free sugar free jello and pudding, and sugar free pops.

NH...

Mom to Abby Liz 10/94

Anne 7/99

[Guest guest]

---- Original Message -----

From: Sue in NJ

> If they're not breakfast food eaters, just give them what you might

> normally give them for lunch.

In the car I told them that we need to start cutting down on sugary cereals

and have healthier breakfasts. There wasn't any complaint! They suggested

Chex and Corn flakes. That would be a great start. Did I mention that I

have wonderful kids. Does that Kashi Go Lean Crunch taste good? Cereal

is so convenient but I want it to be a little healthier. Kix is supposed to

have less sugar too.

> Maybe do so as a means to a Girl Scout badge. They *do* still have badges

> for things like cooking, right?

They have badges for everything! Lynn's troop disbanded since no one would

take over the leadership. She'll still do camps and special activities

though. She's going to 2 Girl Scout resident camps this summer. One will

be with my 6 year old. I'm a little nervous about that but it was the kids'

idea so hopefully it will be ok.

Ann

[Guest guest]

Now I make one thing (usually from Jo Lund's cookbook) and that's

what we all eat. *shrugs* I don't like feeling like I'm on a strict diet

and when everyone else eats pizza and I don't, it gets to me (and, like

you said, what kind of signal are we sending to our kids?).

> My kids are big into fruit - but they love cookies etc... Are you more

> concious of their eating habits when you are tryng to loose weight. I >

just don't want my kids to be overweight as adults. People are mean.

It's not just a matter of people being mean, either. It's harder to find

clothes, you're more likely to have health problems, on and on

and on. My kids get treats on occassion because I don't want them to

binge if they think they're only going to get it once a year or

something. But that's just me

-Bonnie

Hi Bonnie, I want to take time to comment here.

I object to the modern usage of the word diet that most people think of

when the word DIET is used. I get tired of hearing " Are you on a diet. "

Or " You should be on a diet. "

If we consider that the word " diet " means: food and drink regularly

consumed for nourishment, then all people have diets in their lives

because we need diet for survival and therefore all people are on diets!.

As an obese person I like to think of the word in that context and wish

that others considered it the same way.

I object to people saying something similar to " oh we want to go out to

eat but we know that you are on a diet, or, I hope that we have something

that you can eat when you come over because we know you are on a diet. "

LOL they are 'on diets also'.

Diet??? I am no different that other people when it comes to this context

when using the word diet. The food and drink that I regularly consume are

consumed for nourishment. The food and drink that other humans consume

are consumed for nourishment. So how do we differ?

The difference is what choices that I decide to make with my " diet " vs

the food choices they make with their diets (food and drink regularly

consumed for nourishment).

When obese people find the word " diet " being used in regard only to over

weight people then that context is unfair and very frustrating. I feel

that when I hear (and usually in whispered undertones or in an apologetic

manner): She is on a " diet " then my feelings are injured because it seems

that I am being labeled as a bad person,a weak person, a less desirable

person, or something similar. I object to any of those unkind and

erroneous labels

Our non obese brothers and sisters sometimes have a superior attitude

because in their eyes they are not in the same class with us because in

their minds they do not need to be on a diet. Unfair and untrue because

we all, fat, skinny and medium sized people consume food and drink for

nourishment. Ahhh, we are back at the beginning now. All people diet and

are on diets. Yeah, that puts up on even footing with all others. I like

that.

Maybe as a child I was not taught to consume nourishment (food and drink)

in the proper way. As a child maybe I learned to console myself with a

food/drink that went beyond nourishment. As a child maybe I learned that

if I could not get positive rewards in some other way, I could reward

myself for a brief time with a momentarily satisfying and/or good-tasting

food or drink.

Children and teenagers should not be told that they are on a diet. Modern

society dictates that being large is out and being thin is in.

Immediately when a young person hears the word diet in reference to

themselves, they feel like an outcast. Young people are terribly

vulnerable and fragile. That means that we need to guard their feelings

with great care.

Teach your child/children proper nutrition/diet. National advertisement

says to start telling a small child not to become involved in drugs,etc

and to keep the lines of communication and education open.

Teach your child what a healthy diet and lifestyle are all about. Make

them excited to know food values and how caloric intake and exercise and

rest are needed for a healthy, happy, productive life. The human body is

a wonderful work of art and a very complicated, complex machine that

needs to be respected and fine tuned to the best of our abilities for

optimal performance. Start when they are babies. I can think of nothing

more valuable for their futures.

You are right, some people are mean and fat people are an easy target for

ridicule. Safeguard your child/children by these few simple rules:

1.Teach your children to love and respect themselves. 2.Teach your

children how to protect themselves from potentially dangerous

strangers/situations and how to come and talk to you if anyone is

treating them in an inappropriate manner. Danger can come in many forms,

from strangers, friends and family members. 3.Let you child/children know

that you love them and that they are of utmost importance in your life.

Embrace your child/children in your arms with affection often. Tell them

how very special they are. Let them feel and know the warmth of your

love. 5.Encourage them to share their thoughts, needs and desires with

you. Then be respectful of their shared thoughts and supportive of their

needs and desires that they have elected to share with you.

Place teaching them the importance of a healthy lifestyle at the top of

the list among other necessities. It is time that we step forward and

help change the world in regard to the word " diet " . We need to really

promote positive choices and a healthy lifestyle.

So the bottom line here is: let's put " diet " in its proper place. Diet:

food and drink regularly consumed for nutrition. All people diet and are

on diets!!!!

The following is adapted from a dictionary.

Diet

diet, food and drink regularly consumed for nourishment. Nutritionists

generally recommend eating a wide variety of foods; however, some groups

of people survive on a very limited diet

Diets vary throughout the world. North Africa, with many Muslims, and the

Middle East have similar diets.

Many Asian diets are based on rice, which is often served with bite-size

vegetables and meats accompanied by spicy seasoning. In Europe, bread is

often the main starch, but Italy is noted for pasta, a nutritious noodle

made from wheat and usually topped with a sauce, such as a small serving

of cooked tomatoes garnished with cheese. In Scandinavia, fish in

general, and herring in particular, are main staples of the diet.

Food has always been subject to cross-cultural influences, often as a

result of colonization and migration of people.

In the 20th century diets have been transformed by refrigeration,

improved and faster transportation, advances in food preservation and new

farming methods that prolong the growing season and increase the yield

per acre.

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: nightsingerjm@...

> Teach your child what a healthy diet and lifestyle are all about. Make

them excited to know food values and how caloric intake and exercise and

rest are needed for a healthy, happy, productive life. The human body is

a wonderful work of art and a very complicated, complex machine that

needs to be respected and fine tuned to the best of our abilities for

optimal performance. Start when they are babies. I can think of nothing

more valuable for their futures.

Do you have children? Did you ever introduce yourself? Sorry but I don't

know who your are. Maybe previous posts didn't come through yet. Yesterday

my groups posts took 9 hours to appear.

Ann

[Guest guest]

It's yummy. I miss it!

Too much for my BGs to handle

SulaBlue

>

> ---- Original Message -----

> From: Sue in NJ

>Does that Kashi Go Lean Crunch taste good? Cereal

> is so convenient but I want it to be a little healthier. Kix is supposed to

> have less sugar too.

> Ann

>

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message ----- From: nightsingerjmjuno> Teach your child what a healthy diet and lifestyle are all about. Makethem excited to know food values and how caloric intake and exercise andrest are needed for a healthy, happy, productive life. The human body isa wonderful work of art and a very complicated, complex machine thatneeds to be respected and fine tuned to the best of our abilities foroptimal performance. Start when they are babies. I can think of nothingmore valuable for their futures.Do you have children? Did you ever introduce yourself? Sorry but I don't know who your are. Maybe previous posts didn't come through yet. Yesterday my groups posts took 9 hours to appear. Ann

[Guest guest]

I eat Kashi Go Lean Crunch probably 2-3 days a week and I love it.

(*lol* That might turn you off of it since the popover thing!) My

kids eat it, too, and really like it a lot, but it has to sit in the

milk for a bit--it's very crunchy. Regular GoLean tastes like

cardboard. I even tried doctoring it a bit and couldn't gag it down.

Our WalMart has a section at the end of the cereal row that's all

Kashi now (or close, other health food brands, too). They have

" Autumn Promise " which is shredded wheat with a touch of raw sugar and

cinnamon), and that's good but Shredded wheat is cheaper and you could

let them put honey on top. They have a lot to choose from now. Rice

Krispies aren't high in sugar, but they don't have much protein and

they do have high fructose corn syrup. The kids like all the Chex

cereals, but I limit the wheat because it's so high in sodium (over

40% your daily recommended value). There really is a lot to choose

from. I've tried most of the healthy cereals, but the names of most

of them are escaping me right now.

Kids are up. Gotta run!

-Bonnie

> In the car I told them that we need to start cutting down on sugary

cereals

> and have healthier breakfasts. There wasn't any complaint! They

suggested

> Chex and Corn flakes. That would be a great start. Did I mention

that I

> have wonderful kids. Does that Kashi Go Lean Crunch taste good?

Cereal

> is so convenient but I want it to be a little healthier. Kix is

supposed to

> have less sugar too.

>

[Guest guest]

> I object to the modern usage of the word diet that most people think of

> when the word DIET is used. I get tired of hearing " Are you on a diet. "

> Or " You should be on a diet. "

> If we consider that the word " diet " means: food and drink regularly

> consumed for nourishment, then all people have diets in their lives

> because we need diet for survival and therefore all people are on

diets!.

I agree, and while I was writing my post, that was my intended

definition of the word. I *am* on a diet. But it's not 'diet' as in

" I'm doing this until I lose X pounds, then it's a free for all " , it's

'diet' as in these are the foods I choose to nourish my body and it's

a lifetime commitment. I try to really limit my usage of the word for

many reasons, not the least of which is I don't want my kids to have a

negative connotaion with it.

> The difference is what choices that I decide to make with my " diet " vs

> the food choices they make with their diets (food and drink regularly

> consumed for nourishment).

Exactly.

> When obese people find the word " diet " being used in regard only to over

> weight people then that context is unfair and very frustrating. I feel

> that when I hear (and usually in whispered undertones or in an

apologetic

> manner): She is on a " diet " then my feelings are injured because it

seems

> that I am being labeled as a bad person,a weak person, a less desirable

> person, or something similar. I object to any of those unkind and

> erroneous labels

I understand where you're coming from, but I guess it doesn't bother

me anymore. I find that judgements are frequently passed around about

almost everyone, and I don't feel so singled out when I start really

paying attention.

> Maybe as a child I was not taught to consume nourishment (food and

drink)

> in the proper way. As a child maybe I learned to console myself with a

> food/drink that went beyond nourishment. As a child maybe I learned that

> if I could not get positive rewards in some other way, I could reward

> myself for a brief time with a momentarily satisfying and/or

good-tasting

> food or drink.

This is exactly what I'm trying to avoid with my kids. I can trace

several bad eating habits back to childhood and I'm trying like crazy

to teach my kids to have a healthy relationship with food. They eat

until they are full and while I do encourage veggies and fruits with

every meal (and remind them to take a few bites while they consume

their sandwiches/main dish), they do not have to finish their plate to

be excused from the table. If there are fruit/veggies leftover, then

they know what they are having for snack

> Teach your child what a healthy diet and lifestyle are all about. Make

> them excited to know food values and how caloric intake and exercise and

> rest are needed for a healthy, happy, productive life. The human body is

> a wonderful work of art and a very complicated, complex machine that

> needs to be respected and fine tuned to the best of our abilities for

> optimal performance. Start when they are babies. I can think of nothing

> more valuable for their futures.

We do all of the above. My goal from day 1 of my first child's life

was to make sure he had/has a healthy, diverse diet with lots of fruit

and veggies, and limited processed foods. It's challenging at times,

but worth it.

I must not be expressing myself very clearly at times, because I agree

with what you wrote--you don't need to convince me! However, we are a

little stuck in terms of using the word 'diet'--it's hard to tell

which way a person is using it when they post, I think. I just hope,

for the person's sake (someone posts, " I'm on a diet " , for example)

that they mean a 'long-term lifestyle change in foods chosen to

nourish one's body' and not diet as in 'crash diet'. *shrugs* But

that's not my business anyhow

-Bonnie