Talking To Kids About Food

When it comes to nutrition, we need to teach our children healthy habits. While it is extremely important that we do so, we do have to thread a fine line on HOW we do that.

Children are literally sponges that absorb information at a crazy rate. They learn by example and are parrots if you will with what they hear and see. Often times you are looked down upon as a parent if you choose to not give your children certain foods such as food dyes, or added sugars, or processed foods. For whatever reason Americans specifically has been taught absolute garbage about nutrition. You think you’re better than everyone they will say. You are not letting them have a childhood they will say. Gosh, the things they WILL say are never ending.

Teaching them early on about the foods we put into our body is truly giving them a rare gift. Early guidance leads to a lifetime of success. I have always taught my kids from day one. I am not joking. As infants, they do not get the “baby” anything. While I am certainly not shaming anymore for using those products, it is just how I chose to parent. My oldest daughter did not know what McDonald’s was until 4. I would OFTEN get asked how my one year old preferred fresh raw vegetables over cake or ice cream. She literally did. She ate what we ate for all her meals, and at the time I was in my prime on my wellness journey. She ate salmon and asparagus, turkey burgers, a lot of raw foods, and never drank or ate dairy (because she had a true allergy to it until after 2). Now, you are likely thinking “good for you” if you struggle with getting your child to eat healthier food options. And trust me, I get that. I say all that to tell you another side of my parenthood journey. Let’s fast forward to number 4. Oh number 4. Life hit us so hard when I was pregnant with him. If we are being real and raw (which I always am), I was going through ENTIRELY too much. BUT God did not think so, so through it I went. He was not taught as strict I guess you would say. TO THIS DAY I am struggling with him. And you want to know the flip side? TO THIS DAY my oldest daughter is a health freak. I mean she puts her ole mama in check often. Anyone who knows her, KNOWS THIS.

What is the point of that story? Here is the point: IT MATTERS. Mamas do the hard work and teach your children proper nutrition. The stupid food pyramid is ALL off. Like nearly flipped. DO NOT let the world teach them things like that. Childhood disease is at an all time high. Nutrition literally solves SO many issues, but it starts at home.

When you begin to try to convince someone and give them true evidence based facts it stings them a bit if they feel a sense of guilt. That is truly why so many people are so defensive. DO NOT LET IT make you feel guilt. Just let it make you better.

BUT here is the other thing, the way we teach them. Just as you do not like being told what to do, children do not either. How dare you tell Susy Sue she should not be eating Little Debbie’s daily or having chips as her side for her pb&j daily. You really have to start small. IF you start as an infant, YOU ELIMINATE so much. My oldest as I said STILL instills those values and teachings even as a nearly 12 year old. You know something even better? SHE DOES IT WITHOUT US TOO. If she is with a friend or away from us, she still makes healthy choices. It does not mean she does not get to indulge when she wants. She absolutely does. In fact I trust her so much with it all that if she told me she wanted cake, ice cream, or WHATEVER I would give it to her. She naturally paces herself and does not over do it.

But, back to the teachings….. If you did not started when your child was young, you can still make the change. AT ANY age it benefits. Many of us adults are just NOW starting to make the changes. It is okay. No need to beat yourself or anyone else up over it. Really. Just start.

HERE ARE MY TOP TIPS ON DOING SO

1. THIS ONE IS VERY IMPORTANT!!! DO NOT TEACH YOUR CHILD there are “good” and “bad” foods. Do not use those terms in regards to their food choices. REWORD it. Let’s use “anytime” foods and “sometimes” food. The truth is, ALL foods have nutrients. Sure of course some aren’t VERY nutritious, but they all have nutrients. Do not tell them the Reese Cup they want is “bad” food. Be cautious of how we speak on food. We do not want them to develop a bad relationship with food in general, and certainly do not want them to feel guilt WHEN they get a sometimes food. Tell them a anytime food is a food we can have anytime. Fruits, vegetables, protein sources, etc. Anything that fuels our bodies well, we can eat anytime. Explain to them a sometimes food is simply a food we can have sometimes. It is a food that does not fuel our body the best, and often times can slow it down. It does not serve much purpose in providing great nutrients to our bodies. Children really understand MUCH more than we think they do.
2. START SLOW. This is especially true if you have not always instilled these values into them. Just as an adult can have withdraws, so can children. This is especially true coming off of food dyes and sugars. Talk them through it. Start with yourself first, and just allow them to see you lead the way, then implement into their daily habits. Start one meal at a time, one snack at a time. JUST START!
3. Teach them food reality. The reality is, not all children get to even have food. Sure you want to shield your child away from the sad reality of that, but it really does not do good in the long run. I know it is very important to my husband and I that we make sure our children KNOW reality and learn never to be entitled. We are grateful for food. If you show them and explain to them it is a GIFT to be able to feed our bodies well and with healthy food, they respect it a lot more and are much more grateful for the food.
4. Do not restrict entirely! This would se your child up for failure from the beginning. Just as I stated above, my oldest daughter just naturally makes really good choices now. I have never restricted her completely. In fact, I have never any of my 5 children. NOW, that does not mean we give them full rein because every one of us mothers know how they would land. Find times it is okay for them to make the choice so they feel more in control and empowered. If they ask for a sometimes food and it just is not s great time for one, explain that to them. Maybe it is something they could have after eating a properly nutritious meal. I tell my children with facts and receipts honey. My kids KNOW mama can prove anything she tells them and thats established an undeniable trust with my children. A good example would be child 2 asks for ice cream. Child 2 for me would absolutely live on sugar and sugar alone. The kid wants nothing to do with water. It truly feels like a full time job tracking his water daily to make sure he gets it in. He would drink absolutely nothing. UGH it is a task for sure. But, he asks for ice cream. I say, “Buddy it would be a bad choice to have ice cream right now (and fill in blanks for why)” Maybe I would say, “because you have not really had enough nutritious foods today.” Or maybe it would be “because we have already has (xyz) and that is really enough treats for today so your body does not feel yucky.” WHATEVER it may be, just tell them. IF they are persistent maybe give whatever to them, but only a VERY small amount. Wean slowly, but just talk them through it, and never ever restrict entirely.
5. Keep offering! It will not just stick immediately when making changes. Your child’s palette will need change just as yours does when you change your diet. Kids are pretty good at pretending they do not like something when they really do not even know. Or it could be a texture thing or a mental thing. Keep offering the same foods. My children will tell you, “it takes 40 tries of something to like it.” If I am being honest, I do not know if that is science, but I do know that you change your taste palette. I think we all can relate to not wanting to eat specific foods as a child, but actually liking them as an adult. My children whole heartedly believe in the 40 tries theory. And because they believe it, they really give it a go. I do not force them or even ask anymore, they just naturally do it. One of my children does not like sweet potatoes. Anytime we have sweet potatoes he will at least try it. I offer it each time. It is fine, he may never like it. That is totally fine, but he is at least trying the food because he very well MAY like it at some point. The point is to offer repeatedly regardless of outcome.

It can be tough mama. It is no walk in the park. Like I said, it is harder today because every where we turn it is just CRAP foods. Total garbage. And again, those foods can still be sometimes foods. Lead by example, start small, know its a marathon not a sprint, and I promise it will reward someday. Keep going, keep explaining it to your child, and repeat it all a million times if needed. It is human nature to need to be told a million times.

Your children’s health is worth it!!! What a gift it is to teach them wellness!