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February 9, 2015
How
to talk to your child about eating? This is a common question that I field
at the office regarding modern day eating and how to overcome outside
negative pressures on our children.
The
average child in school sits next to your kid and is eating lunchables,
doritos and some other processed snack food while washing it down with
sunny D. There are even stories of kids having chips, candy and fruit punch
for a meal. WOW! It is clear to me that this child's parent either has
little knowledge of healthy eating or has abdicated the authority to
parent. Unfortunately, the latter is often the case.
What
is happening in the world today? I have been teaching my kids that
McDonald's has just changed CEO's and is in trouble because Americans are
finally waking up to the merits of healthy food over fast and processed
varieties. Restaurant chains like Chipotle are driving the market now
because they are meeting the new American desire of rapid but real whole
food that tastes good. I find that teaching my kids what is happening is a
route to their understanding of our family choices.
My
wife and I spend time educating our children on how food effects them and
why their choices are important. They then have to decide whether to listen
and learn or balk and fight. We are blessed with two different children.
One eats anything and follows an anti inflammatory style diet while our
other would prefer to eat anything made from flour or sugar. Obviously, the
parenting challenges are hard in one case and easy in the other.
What
we have learned over the past eleven years is this:
1)
Education is key. They learn despite what you think at times. They have a
natural desire to emulate a parent. They are very intuitive when you let
them. I have noted many times that my children are making choices based on
prior teachings. Even my starch craver has shown balance in his life with
food. They are starting to listen to their bodies. We have noted many
recent experiences where one of our children has felt off after a meal only
to recognize a pattern and make changes.
2)
Let them know that another child's lunch can be unhealthy and it is not
their place to comment on it. They are to be empowered with knowledge. They
are not to parent other kids. It is the adult's job to elevate their
children to a higher place whether that is spiritually, nutritionally or
physically.
3)
Lead by example. If you eat garbage, you can not expect your child to eat
healthy. By eating well, they can also be an example for their friends
while not negatively commenting on their food. These are powerful self
solidifying traits of personality.
4)
Engage your child in the shopping and cooking experience. This will allow
them to feel like a part of the decision making process. Empowering.
5)
Let them see the truth behind food. Show them documentaries on food when
they are 9+ years old. Food Inc., Supersize Me, etc...
6) Be
an old school parent. You make the food that you want them
to eat. They eat or go hungry. This is a key to success. It is their choice
how to proceed. I have had many a parent tell me that they cannot do this.
I counter that food is one of 4 keys to long life and health and not up for
debate. As a parent it is your job to parent for health not just a soccer
scholarship or academics. Convenience is not parenting. Would you allow
your child to verbally mistreat you because you just do not want to parent
today? I think not.
7)
Read and learn more about food and parenting around it. It is easier to
teach a child why through science than the dogma of "because I said
so". Kids are very keen to a lack of knowledge.
8)
Order off of the adult menu for all. Kid's menus are all garbage, period.
My kids eat salad. When we eat out, people actually come up and ask me how
we achieved this? Simple answer - it is expected.
9)
Make healthy food tasty. This goes along with #7. Try new recipes and test
them on your kids all the time. Find go to healthy players that they will
enjoy. For example, we made cauliflower sautéed in olive oil, garlic and
anchovies for a dinner party once. One guest child lapped it up thinking
that it was shrimp because of the flavor and appearance. He had never liked
cauliflower before. He now has a new food item in his arsenal of
nutrition.
10)
Do not buy anything that you do not wish to fight over if they choose to
eat it. Save these types of experiences for special occasions like parties
or holidays. This also helps support the 90/10 rule where 10% of your diet
being imperfect is likely of no consequence to health if 90% is rock solid.
(this does not count allergies and sensitivities)
Dr.
M
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