I can't get over what people will feed their kids!

[kgalas]

Stephanie, I wasn't judging her or bashing her. She's actually a friend of mine. I've just never seen what she feeds her kids on a daily basis before. And I truly can't believe it. That kid is hungry because all he has are empty calories-ALL DAY. And, in my opinion, it is wrong to give your kids loads of sugar, fat, processed stuff. Everything in moderation is right. I don't deprive my kids either and I ate loads of stuff that was bad for me, too-especially as a teen when no one monitored what I was eating. It's our responsibility as parents to teach them good habits. As for the yogurt-have you seen what's in it? No, thanks!

 

[unfetteredpast]

Interesting article on the subject of picky eaters:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/artic...FD2H1543QS.DTL&hw=marion+nestle&sn=008&sc=424

Processed food is cheap. Look at the sale ads for Wal-Mart or Safeway and see what they put on sale. In the produce department of our local food stores, the organic fruits and vegetables are almost always more expensive. Any television ad for Burger King or any other fast food place touts the inexpensive items.

I shudder to think what would happen if we were cut off from our plentiful, cheap supply of food. Most of us (including me) would starve. We would have no way of providing for ourselves.

 

[janie1234]

Interesting article on the subject of picky eaters:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/artic...FD2H1543QS.DTL&hw=marion+nestle&sn=008&sc=424

Processed food is cheap. Look at the sale ads for Wal-Mart or Safeway and see what they put on sale. In the produce department of our local food stores, the organic fruits and vegetables are almost always more expensive. Any television ad for Burger King or any other fast food place touts the inexpensive items.

I shudder to think what would happen if we were cut off from our plentiful, cheap supply of food. Most of us (including me) would starve. We would have no way of providing for ourselves.

I totally agree with this 100%. When I shop at Whole Foods I can spend $100 on 1 bag of groceries. If I go to Target I get a shopping carts worth. The food at Target is more processed but in this economy it is really, really, hard to justify spending so much for the organic stuff. A for example is I can get a very large container of Goldfish kids snacks for $5.00 at Target the Annies organic version at Whole Food is $4.00 for a container that is probably 1/4 of the size. Bread is $5.00 a loaf at Whole Foods and often 2 for $5 at Target. I think most parents with kids who have unhealthy eating habbits fall into this fast, cheap, easy, convienent catagory. What ultimately ends up happening is diabetes and obesity.

 

[Worknprogress]

Interesting article on the subject of picky eaters:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/artic...FD2H1543QS.DTL&hw=marion+nestle&sn=008&sc=424

Processed food is cheap. Look at the sale ads for Wal-Mart or Safeway and see what they put on sale. In the produce department of our local food stores, the organic fruits and vegetables are almost always more expensive. Any television ad for Burger King or any other fast food place touts the inexpensive items.

I shudder to think what would happen if we were cut off from our plentiful, cheap supply of food. Most of us (including me) would starve. We would have no way of providing for ourselves.

Thanks for posting that article - very informative! I have one who is picky and one who is not.

 

[kgalas]

That was a great article!

 

[Worknprogress]

I used to say that when I had kids that they would eat totally healthy. No junk. Yeah right. I think unless you've walked in that mom's shoes then you really shouldn't judge. Perhaps offer some non-judgmental advice to her if you've had successes with your kids eating healthily, but no judgments or trashing her on a web site. My kids are VERY picky. One only eats about four things and no veggies unless I sneak them into food and the other is really picky too. I'm hoping my baby doesn't turn out as picky. They were exposed to healthy food, but they just refused it every time. So I make separate dinners that I know they will eat. I swore I'd never do this, but I can't send them to bed hungry. At their last check up my pediatrician said their bloodwork was perfect. She laughed and said that those frozen waffles that my youngest son adores are fortified with lots of vitamins, as is the Trix yogurt, which is made by yoplait, BTW. We work on improving their diets every day and talk about the need to eat healthily and exercise.

I just think that every family is different. Some may not do things the way you would, but that doesn't mean they are wrong. I grew up on bologna, Chef Boyardee and Kool-Aid, and I turned out fine. I wouldn't feed it to my children, but that's just me. I also wouldn't deprive them if they wanted to try those things because deprivation can lead to rebellion in the future. My husband was denied sugary cereal as a kid, and when he went to college, he ate Lucky Charms and Trix three meals a day.

I believe everything in moderation -- WITHOUT judgment.

Stephanie - I wholeheartedly agree with you. I have one that is pick and one who is not. Every day is a challenge to get him to eat. Thankfully, they only have whole grains, fruit, dairy products, are limited to only one juice cup a day (I still mix it with water), milk and water. But he changes his mind every day as to what he likes - for example, he loved apples, now he won't eat them. Very frustrating!!!

Anybody who has the magic answer for getting small children to eat ONLY healthy foods, please - fire away with suggestions because I don't want to send my child to bed hungry either.

But then again, I do have a BIL that watched me fix something separate for my picky eater at Thanksgiving and went on his soapbox about, "When my kids were little they had to eat what we gave them and had to sit there until they were done." Yeah right. I think he forgot that I have been to his house many times during dinner over the years and while we were all eating salad, veggies, lean meats, etc., his younger children were eating processed chicken nuggets, PB&J, etc. Obviously he forgot that his wife was ALWAYS making a separate meal for his little ones!

 

[banslug]

On the PTA/PTO topic. I'm the President this year of our PTA. I moved us away from the typical cookies, cakes and junk that usually get donated. Our very first event, our Fall Harvest Dance, I asked for donations of apples, bananas, Sun Chips, and ICE for the WATER coolers. Guess what!?!?! We ran out of apples AND water!

What most folks don't realize is that if the kids aren't given a choice, they WILL eat the good stuff. (I realize there are exceptions to the rules, and my kids are a minor part of that, but for the most part the kids will eat what we give them.)

Gayle

 

[elliemom]

Sorry, back on my soap box!!!

Why do young children drink soda??? because the parent brings it into the house!!!! Wht do they WANT only TRIX yougurt etc, because we give it to them. Otherwise they are unable to buy their own food, so they eat what WE as parents give them!!! I was fortunate (or unfortunate depending on how you look at it) that my boys are allergic to nuts. So there was no buying or eating chocolate or most cookies. So most fruits were snacks and veggies, yep I added whipped cream or a little syrup. I can take my boys down the candy aisle in the grocery store without any begging for stuff!!! They don't know what half of it is.

Funny story- my 7 yr old came home from school on halloween with a sour patch fake eyeball looking piece of candy. I came in to the room and he had it stuck to the center of his forehead!!!! He said look at this cool sticker eye I got at school. He had no idea (and absolutely no desire ) to EAT it!!!!

ellie

 

[hiitdogs]

What most folks don't realize is that if the kids aren't given a choice, they WILL eat the good stuff. (I realize there are exceptions to the rules, and my kids are a minor part of that, but for the most part the kids will eat what we give them.)

Gayle

I agree with that, Gayle!

My kids have a choice of healthy foods that they can pick for their lunches. If I make dinner, everyone eats the same, no one is sick, no one has allergies, there is no seperate cooking. They have all gone through phases where they don't like this food or the other. For the most part I try to avoid foods that they really don't like, i.e beets, spinach (I sneak it into their diet in soups, smoothies or salad dressings without them noticing) or mushrooms. When we went through the "I don't want to eat my broccoli" phase they had to eat 3 spoonfuls of it, end of discussion.

If my kids don't want to eat at dinner, I don't have a problem sending them to bed hungry. I am not asking them to eat anything outrageous, if they are hungry, they'll eat. It is their choice not to eat but there are no substitutes, "special" dinners and they lose their priviledge to watch tv or play on the computer for that night. If that makes me Mommy Dearest, oh well, I guess then my kids can spend a lifetime overcoming the physical and psychological damage I caused them by making them eat broccoli.

 

[elliemom]

I agree with that, Gayle!

My kids have a choice of healthy foods that they can pick for their lunches. If I make dinner, everyone eats the same, no one is sick, no one has allergies, there is no seperate cooking. They have all gone through phases where they don't like this food or the other. For the most part I try to avoid foods that they really don't like, i.e beets, spinach (I sneak it into their diet in soups, smoothies or salad dressings without them noticing) or mushrooms. When we went through the "I don't want to eat my broccoli" phase they had to eat they had eat 3 spoonfuls of it, end of discussion.

If my kids don't want to eat at dinner, I don't have a problem sending them to bed hungry. I am not asking them to eat anything outrageous, if they are hungry, they'll eat. It is their choice not to eat but there are no substitutes, "special" dinners and they lose their priviledge to watch tv or play on the computer for that night. If that makes me Mommy Dearest, oh well, I guess then my kids can spend a lifetime overcoming the physical and psychological damage I caused them by making them eat broccoli.

Is everyone sitting down????

Carola and I totally agree on this. And this is the same way I reun my house!!! What do children eat when ALL their parents can afford is ONE meal for the entire family???? Ask my DH who was the youngest of 7 in a poor family.................You eat whatever the hell is put in front of you, or you don't eat.....

Mommy Dearest 2
ellie

 

[kgalas]

Us, too. I guess that makes me Mommy Dearest 3 Ellie, so funny you mentioned the large families. We know a man in his late 50's who is 1 of 11 kids, but whose mom catered to each child! This guy is the pickiest eater around! My family, on the other hand, grew up poor in the former Yugoslavia where meat was a bonus-you ate whatever you were given and that was it! Who had the luxury to be picky? We are spoiled to the nth degree and our kids are paying the price. What a shame.

 

[EricaH]

My three oldest were all really healthy eaters and didn't have any exposure to junk food until they went to school. Once they went to school, they were given candy by teachers/bus drivers as rewards and saw the other kids' eating all kinds of junk at lunchtime and buying snacks and they felt deprived. They are teens now and I have had to relax my standards a LOT. They still get candy as rewards at school even at the high school/middle school level - this drives me crazy! My first grader asks me why she can't buy snacks at school (all junk) and tells me what the other kids pack for lunch and asks why she can't have that stuff too (all junk). It's very frustrating.

As far as picky eaters, I have fraternal twins who were raised exactly the same. One is a GREAT eater and will eat whatever is put in front of him - he loves all fruits, veggies, entrees...he'll eat anything. His twin brother is very picky and it's much more difficult for me to make sure he eats a good variety of healthy foods. So, in my experience, it's not always parenting that dictates children's eating habits. My oldest son is a pretty good eater and my youngest child is a terrible eater - extremely picky.

My mother was very controlling with my diet when I was growing up because she struggled with her weight and didn't want me to have the same problem. When I discovered junk food in college, I was delighted and gained quite a bit of weight. I ended up having eating disorders for many, many years after that and still struggle with food/weight.

Erica

 

[farmgirl]

I won't say that my boys eat great 100% of the time...but I'd say maybe 75% of the time. I do use recipes from the sneaky chef and deceptively delicious to get in veggies that they may not otherwise eat. One of my friends is one of the healthiest eaters I know, but her daughter won't eat anything unless it's highly processed or IMO crap (hot dogs, hot pockets, french fries...). In our house, I've implemented the same rule as my mom did...you can eat what I give you or go hungry! I'm so happy when my son chooses an apple with peanut butter and raisins over ice cream!
I still remember doing a preop H&P on a little 21 month old boy who was going in to have all of his teeth capped because they were all rotten. I inquired about his diet and his mom stated that he would only eat cheetos, bug juice, candy, and POP!!! I simply asked "Who's the parent?????" If she's gonna let him dictate every aspect of his life before age 2-she's in deep trouble!
I only hope that parents wake up and make even a couple small changes!
julie

 

[kgalas]

Julie, tht's exactly what I wanted to say-I'm not very articulate anymore. I was just really surprised to see an entire day's worth of stuff with no nutritional value. And when I asked what they were having for dinner, she said hot dogs! After bologna?! We need to be responsible. What they do when they're adults is out of our hands, but until then, I'm in charge!

 

[Fit_mommy]

Every once in a while my DS won't want to finish his dinner. We warn him that there will be no dessert and no snack later if he doesn't finish what's on his plate. If he agrees, then we take the plate away and that is all he gets for the night. If he's truly still hungry but just trying to get out of eating what is in front of him then his appetite will "magically" come back and he'll finish what he was given. LOL

 

[EricaH]

Every once in a while my DS won't want to finish his dinner. We warn him that there will be no dessert and no snack later if he doesn't finish what's on his plate. If he agrees, then we take the plate away and that is all he gets for the night. If he's truly still hungry but just trying to get out of eating what is in front of him then his appetite will "magically" come back and he'll finish what he was given. LOL

I don't like doing this because I think it encourages kids to "finish their plate" and eat past the point of satisfaction because they are worried about missing out on dessert. JMHO.



Erica

 

[Fit_mommy]

I don't like doing this because I think it encourages kids to "finish their plate" and eat past the point of satisfaction because they are worried about missing out on dessert. JMHO.



Erica

Point taken. The thing is that he doesn't do it often enough for us to believe it has anything to do with him being full. If he did it often then I would wonder if I am giving him too much to eat and would just cut back on his portion size.

 

[gettingfitmom]

I have a friend that is a stay at home mom, but they eat out 4-5 days a week because her kids are such picky eaters, she says this way they get to order what they want. Her DD is 18 and will only eat/drink pizza, poptarts, chocolate milk, etc. UGH! It's hard if she eats over at our house...

 

[Beavs]

I drank only soda and juice and I loved all sort of processed foods as a kid. My mother tried, fought, and in the end gave up because I refused to eat anything that remotely resembled a vegetable or fruit (and mom was a cook, a pretty good one, for a living). I suppose that makes my mom the spawn of satan. I eventually grew out of it and I cannot tell you the last time I sipped a cola or ate a Little Debbie snack cake. I love asparagus and sweet potatoes. Of course, I am an ax murderer...blame it on the HFCS and the McDumpsters Happy Meals.

 

[janie1234]

I drank only soda and juice and I loved all sort of processed foods as a kid. My mother tried, fought, and in the end gave up because I refused to eat anything that remotely resembled a vegetable or fruit (and mom was a cook, a pretty good one, for a living). I suppose that makes my mom the spawn of satan. I eventually grew out of it and I cannot tell you the last time I sipped a cola or ate a Little Debbie snack cake. I love asparagus and sweet potatoes. Of course, I am an ax murderer...blame it on the HFCS and the McDumpsters Happy Meals.

As usual Beaves you crack me up to no avail!!! By the way I grew up on Tang and all sorts of crud as a kid too.