Guest guest Posted March 7, 2002 Report Share Posted March 7, 2002 It always startles me some, when parents feed their children starchy, sugary foods... because of convenience or even just because it's so ingrained in our culture here, to pour a bowl of sugary cereal, and top it with milk... then to make a pop tart, or piece of white toast, then wash it down with a big glass of milk or juice mix. How can people not know what they are doing to them! Even as a child, I'd eat that way, and be hungry again within hours. I'd feel faint and foggy headed, and when I wanted to eat more to feel better, then I was shamed for overeating... so all I did was learn to hide it. I then thought the problem was my fault, and I truly felt hungry... even though my mother would say... " are you eating AGAIN!? " , among other things... I learned that it was a bad thing to be overweight, or eat too much... and that people made fun of you when you didn't look like they thought you should. I think it's disgusting that our society hates fat people, but that's another issue. The real issue here, is obesity as a disease, not a lifestyle choice... and we have to look beyond the commercials on the tv to decide what the best foods are to feed a family. Research on starches, floury, sugary foods is being done as we speak... and it's linked so far, to many many problems, including insulin resistance. I decided when my son was born 4 years ago, that I would not do to him what had been done to me. I would not ever force him to sit at a table. I would not schedule his meals and make him eat... in fact just now, we are starting to have regularly scheduled meals just to prepare him for preschool. Previous to that, once he could speak, we just only had meals when the kids said they were hungry... or if it had been a long while since the last meal. I try to focus on the socialness of activities, rather than what we're bringing to eat... because I cannot bear the guilt of my childs life being shortened by my own actions. We have days here where the kids eat one meal, and maybe 2 bites out of the other meals. I never complain. My children are normal weight, and physically healthy and strong... while even I was overweight at 4 years old. I don't remember the name of the person who posted about a wife being in denial... and feeds the 2 year old garbage foods. She needs to remember the shame and humiliation, and how cruel children are to the " fat " kid... and think about why she would do that to her own child. I can't imagine not wanting my kids to avoid that! sarah s Dr. Baker, Unity hospital Highest 278 size24/26 day of surgery 254 size 24 today 173 size 12/14! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2002 Report Share Posted March 7, 2002 < > As I was doing my research on the SugarBusters food plan, I read a website where parents critiqued this plan as a way of eating for children. I was equally startled to read post after post after post from parents who thought it was criminal to force your children to eat whole grains, high fiber and low/no sugar. They said it was a *right* of childhood for their kids to enjoy as much sugar as they wanted. Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 11, 2002 Report Share Posted March 11, 2002 Whatever we as parents forbid or make a reward or special treat, our kids will crave and hoard. I remember a camping trip with Mom's and daughters. There were lots of snacks and food. While all the other kids were playing and having a great time, the chubbiest girl was sneaking food into the bathroom. She ate so much she threw up. All the while her Mom talked about what she was allowed to have, totally unaware that the child had resorted to sneaking food and eating until she threw up. The child was 7 years old wearing a ladies small . . .and she wasn't in proportion either. I felt helpless for the little girl and worried about her future. I was 3 months post op and was very unsettled, afraid of my own future and remaining morbidly obese . . . I only remember being a little girl that actually ate the ice cream and cake at birthday parties because they were so special . . . We never had anything but healthy food in ceral in my house growing up. I don't know the answer, but I know that depravation always backfires. ) Vicki In a message dated 3/7/2002 9:59:31 AM Pacific Standard Time, kateseidel@... writes: > As I was doing my research on the SugarBusters food plan, I read a website > where parents critiqued this plan as a way of eating for children. I was > equally startled to read post after post after post from parents who > thought it was criminal to force your children to eat whole grains, high > fiber and low/no sugar. They said it was a *right* of childhood for their > kids to enjoy as much sugar as they wanted. > > Kate > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 11, 2002 Report Share Posted March 11, 2002 --- Haasevp@... wrote: > Whatever we as parents forbid or make a reward or > special treat, our kids > will crave and hoard. This is such an interesting topic. And a constant challenge to parents. My sweetman was really deprived of sweets, treats, Cokes, etc as a child. They were very poor and had no money for such luxuries. As an adult, he craves chocolate, candies and drinks Cokes like crazy. He allows his ten year old son to indulge in same whenever he wants. Josh is skinny as a rail (built exactly like his Dad) but only eats when he is hungry. Seems to listen to his body hunger instead of head hunger and rarely over-indulges in sweets or pop. I'm just bouncing off ideas but maybe that is how to handle children's eating, encourage them to eat as much as they want when they are hungry and don't push them to eat when they are not. Maybe setting an example from early on that food is just nourishment, not a reward or a comfort, just eat to live. That an occasional snack is okay but we should really listen to what their body hunger is saying to eat. I know my family and eating upbringing was so confusing. Food was treated as a reward, a treat, something almost worshipped. We on's love to eat and enjoy good food, and ALL of my siblings are now obese. And yet food was withheld, monitored, forbidden, all at the same time. Add to that formula a lack of self-worth and insecurities of a chubby kid who had been taught to love to eat and that it was also a comfort! AGHHHHH! No wonder I ended up obese, food just played waaaaay to important a part in my life! I can still hear my sweet Grandmother, in my inner child's ear saying " don't cry dear, have a cookie, it will make you feel better! " ===== judy in austin VBG 5/99 375 TT 5/01 165 I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly. __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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