One thing we expected to gain from our family’s strict “100 Days of Real Food” pledge was a new perspective. And a new perspective we got. I am convinced that before cutting out all highly processed food - including white flour and sugar - I was going through life completely oblivious to what I was eating and feeding my family. Not only was I ignoring the ingredients on the packaged stuff I was buying, but for some reason the long list of refined grains, artificial additives, and sweeteners wouldn’t have raised a red flag for me anyway.
But more than halfway into our real food pledge things were suddenly different. Thanks to Michael Pollan, we now understood that most of what we used to eat - including pasta made from scratch using white flour - was not the best choice. And after completely making over the way our family shops for food, cooks, and eats I cannot not help but observe what food choices others are making in this processed food world that we live in. Call it nosey, call it judgmental, but regardless - I am incredibly curious about what others are eating.
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It seems to me as though young children have to rely on their parents to make the right food choices for them. My daughters certainly can’t go to the grocery store, pick out food, and make purchases without me leading the charge. I am their “enabler” if you will. And, like most moms, I know what food – both “real” and processed – that my children will likely eat. I know they would enjoy some cold apple slices with a little peanut butter on them just as much as a bag of chips - especially if they never even knew the chips were an alternative. So, as their mother, I am learning that it is my responsibility to buy and provide them with the right whole food choices even if it might require a little extra work on my part.
Following is a July 2010 excerpt from our “100 Days of Real Food” pledge:
The other night after dinner I let my daughters dig into a homemade freezie pop, which was basically frozen organic applesauce inside a colorful silicone mold. It was the perfect messy treat to eat outside on a hot summer day. Once we got outside not one, not two, but three little friends on our street came right over. Each child separately indicated they wanted to try “one” too - even though I’m sure they didn’t even know what it was. So luckily, I had exactly three extra homemade freezie pops ready to go, and I was happy to divvy them up. All of the kids sucked them down with pleasure, and the only thing they were eating was frozen organic applesauce!
Yes, it took a little effort on my part to order the freezie pop molds, pour in some store bought organic applesauce, and stick them in the freezer, but once all of that was taken care of these kids were thrilled to eat exactly what was offered to them. And these are the very same kids that normally indulge in artificially colored, high-fructose corn syrup filled, factory-made frozen treats from the grocery store. Because of course that’s what's usually available and given to them.
Robyn says
I admit to having a bad diet. I always want to do better but never seem to take that step. I do want to feed my 1-year-old healthy food. It makes me angry that my husband doesn't see the big deal in letting our son eat junk. I mean, he does to some extent, but sneaks him candy a little too frequently. I feel like until he's on board with changing our diets, it will never be successful. He is not willing to give up all of his diet drinks, for starters. Ugh. Good post today, though.
Anna says
Its funny how your blog posts come out almost always the same day that I was just talking about the particular subject!
This weekend was my 3 year old daughters birthday. We planned a party (with homemade cake and Ice Cream) and of course a day out with Mommy and Daddy to do fun stuff. Yesterday (her actual bday) we went to a Disney show and went to lunch. We asked her what she wanted, her reply...salad. 75% of the time when asked what she wants she will say a salad. It might be from her hearing me brag to others that she picks salads over fries, or that she truly loves them, but needless to say she got it. The interesting thing: my husband. He is behind eating healthier, but when we went out to eat she clearly stated she wanted a salad, then added she wanted a burger. Ok bday fine. She then said she wanted milk. Sure, why not. What does my husband do...he gets her chocolate milk! I immediately say no and he actually tells me why not, its her bday. My reply...she never asked for chocolate milk so why give it. The point: she would have been perfectly happy with her reg milk and never known the difference, but we put it in her body. Yep she LOVED it, but she would have loved the reg milk too.
Birthday party day: Having a discussion with a friend about how my goal for the party was to make everything trans free (cake, ice cream, snacks, everything) I wouldn't say everything was real food (sorry used loads of sugar and dyes in the cake), but all homemade. She had started a new "diet" and was trying to eat healthy, so only the healthy stuff that day for her. Luckily what did my daughter want...a fruit tray, veggie tray and cheese and crackers. So that is what we had! As we are discussing the "heatlhy things" I am trying to pull out recipes for her that are not so high fat (fish, chicken, no meat recipes) and tasty that her kids will eat. She is telling me about this awesome and healthy marinade she used for her chicken, but explained she made a seperate meal for her husband and kids. WHAT?! She knew they wouldn't eat what she was eating so she made them what they did like. My retort, heck no would I do that! I am not a short order cook! As I keep pulling out recipes they all include whole wheat breadcrumbs or pasta or whatever. I see her nose wrinkle up. So I calmly tell her that yep when we first changed over (about 6 years ago) it was a bit different, but now its just habit. Our daughter has only had whole wheat bread items at our house, but she has had the white version at Grandmas (who wrinkles her nose at wheat) and other places and honestly she eats both the same. I truly believe that children will eat what you give them if it is the only option. And since she is with us 90% of the time, we try to give her good stuff to balance out the 10%. Not to say she doesn't have an opinion. She does not like alot of normal "kid" foods. Spaghetti and pasta type dishes she doesn't like. She points out to us that fried foods are bad for us and shouldn't have them. (Very hard to explain to a 3 year old that baked sweet potato "fries" are ok to have, b/c they are not fried in oil. She loved them and loves fried fries but she knows they are not healthy. Very hard headed Ha!) We had to laugh when she was playing with her play food and had to ask us what a doughnut was. She has had one since and loved it, but when asked if they are healthy for us she tells us no they are only a treat. We have raised her with the policy, you must take one bite of everything on your plate and swallow. If you don't like it you don't have to eat it. If she barely eats her food and says she is done, we explain no snacks, or anything so she really needs to think about it. Sometimes she is just done, other times she just is being stubborn. If we are trying something new, she gets it but we will put something she does like on the plate, like carrots. And yes sometimes she will eat 1 bite of the new food and then nothing but carrots. I remember reading in a baby book, you are not a short order cook. Kids will not starve from missing one meal and they will learn that by balking at the meal served they go hungry and you do not compromise. So they will eat what is on their plates to fill that hunger. As parents it is your job to make that meal count. If you give them a happy meal to fill that hunger, they will love it, but nothing good comes out of it. On that note, the husband of the friend was listening and pointed out that our daughter prob still loves MCD's. Actually she has been their 3 times. Once with us, as a "you should have a happy meal once in your lifetime". She ate the apples and wanted the toy. And the other 2 times, with Grandma. (don't even get me started on that struggle! Apparently Grandmas find it necessary to fill your kids with sugar and crap because I swear they are trying to buy love from their grandkids with food.) The husband dropped his mouth! Asked how is that possible!? My reply...we just don't go there. I don't like it so its not an option. She just doesn't know or care. Their boys LOVE those places and they give them those options as treats for doing something good. Don't get me wrong we give our daughter treats that aren't good for you, which is ice cream. Basically because that is my vice! But because we rarely partake in those type places she just doesn't know or care.
Long story short LOL: I fully agree...parents have control of their kids diets. Kids are with their parents majority of meals and if you can make those meals healthy and great, the few meals they do have that are "bad" they are more likely to make better for you choices, b/c it is all they know. There are always going to be treats and noone is perfect, but if most of their food is good for you then your kids are well on their way to be the healthiest in their class!
Anne says
You are exactly right about this. I often feel guilty for not finding time to make everything from scratch or for not always having the very best ingredients. Have to say, it doesn't get any easier than to have organic fruit and veggies around to slice some up for snacks. That's something we can all do for our kids.
Judith says
We eat well at home, but I don't feel like I can always control what is eaten when the kids are not with me. The pink slime news coverage just put me over the edge on school lunches. I sat both boys down and explained in detail what it was and why I was going to start packing lunches. I showed them the school lunch menu and said they needed to pick at least three days a week to pack a lunch. (Eventually going to five days a week.) Well that article scared my six year old son. He has taken a packed lunch every day. Three days a week I am packing for my nine year old, but most of the time he brings the lunch back home. I keep money in their lunch accounts so they can buy milk or a lunch on days I don't pack. I'm just not sure how to get the older one on board. As soon as I use the word "healthy" he wants to push back.
And even though he eats more than I do most days (he is growing!) he will sometimes skip a meal just to prove a point that he won't eat healthy.
100 Days of Real Food says
Some moms with older kids have said they give their kid lunch money everyday, but if they pack (and eat) a lunch from home they could keep the money to buy whatever they want.
Katie @ Katie Without Restrictions says
I agree. I think that one of the biggest problems nutrition-wise that we face is that children are learning from their parents, who really don't have the first clue about nutrition, and then when those children grow up, they really don't know anything either. The earlier we start with kids, the easier and more natural it will be for them.
Julia says
Autocorrect! Should say...Most of my education is coming from you!
Julia says
I was just telling my husband about this post last night, from when you had previously posted it. Within the last month out family has radically changed what we are eating and. Ost of. Y education is coming from you! I watched Food Inc the other day and was totally disgusted and will never buy regular meats again I have a few questions about what you purchase organic and what you don't. I see a lot of times you don't purchase organic cheese. I'm about to place an Azure Standard order and wanted to see if it's really worth it for me to spent $6.50/lb on grass fed organic cheese. Could you tell me what the top thing you buy organically are? Do I need to make sure all the nuts, seeds, grains,riceetc are organic? I'm sold on the animals but not sure about the other stuff. Thanks for your help!
Susan says
Julia- Switching over to real, organic food can be a shocker to the wallet, for sure! But IMHO it is something we all must try and do for the sake of our health. Because so many everyday things have become GMOs, it is critical for us to be vigilent. You mentioned rice, grains and beans and these are all things that are being reproduced by Monsanto. They have all been engineered to withstand multiple sprayings of Round-up. Now, sometimes it is just not possible to find every darn thing organic, but do your best.
Also, watch this cute video of a little girl that did an experiment with a regular sweet potato, an organic sweet potato from the grocery store and an organic one from the farmers market. It is pretty interesting!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exBEFCiWyW0
Also, when you have a few minutes, watch this video....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCX1QG2df6c
Shannon says
It's misleading to suggest that rice, grains, and beans are mainly GMO. In the US, the only commercially available GMO bean is soybean and the only GMO grain is corn. There isn't any GMO rice in the US.
You may choose organic foods for other reasons, but if you're just doing it to avoid crops produced using biotechnology, it's mainly a waste of money since there are only a few crops that even exist as GMOs. You can easily avoid them by selectively choosing the organic version of foods that contain corn, soy, cottonseed oil, canola, squash, and papaya.
Susan says
Here is a list of foods that are GMO in America. You will see that it includes rice. However, Monsanto has gotten its hands on most of the rice throughout the world. India used to have thousands of strains of rice, but thanks to Monsanto, its down to like 4.
http://www.disabled-world.com/fitness/gm-foods.php
There is no organic version of canola. It is a GMO product made by Monsanto. Its original use was for making mustard gas. I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole.
Shannon says
That website discusses Vitamin A enhanced golden rice as GMO rice, but that isn't available in the US market. You would recognize it by the yellow color. GMO varieties of rice DO EXIST, but they are not currently grown in the US. Several years ago there was contamination of two varieties with some GM seed, and Bayer was sued and reportedly settled for $750 million (http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/gm-rice-case-reportedly-settled-750-million).
Canola was bred naturally, not using GMO. Organic canola oil is readily available. Any person reading this can go to a grocery store that has a good selection of natural products and look on the shelf to see that your claim is false. Monsanto did take canola and make it Roundup-Ready (glyphosate tolerant). That is the GMO trait, and if you want to avoid GMO canola, just choose organic canola oil.
100 Days of Real Food says
So glad the blog has been helpful! I try to buy organic everything (even if the cheese isn't certified organic it might say hormone-free, etc. on the package), but I supposed if I had to prioritize I would definitely only eat organic meat, dairy and produce over some of the other stuff you mentioned like nuts, grains, etc. Hope that helps!
Kristin says
I agree, if junk food is not in the house, kids (and grown-ups :)can't eat it. My kids have only known healthy food at home such as: whole grain pasta, bread and pancakes/waffles, plain yogurt, cheese, fruits and veggies, milk, etc. My 5 year old asked for a snack today and told me she wanted raisins, cheese and nuts, last week she asked for peas, grapes and carrots. When my girls are thirsty they help themselves to water. To them healthy food is just food. Though, it helps that I like to cook. My girls still gobble up my mac and cheese even though it didn't come from a blue box. One of my keys is fake-outs. I have healthier recipes for favorite snacks that I refuse to buy, such as graham crackers and granola bars. In fact when my oldest asks for some processed snack she sees, I often reply back, "if we can find a recipe for it". I also allow them the occasional dessert as long as it's homemade, such as: popsicles, fruit juice jello, ice cream, cookies, etc. They still get junk food from other sources, visiting their grandparents, snack at preschool, birthday parties, etc. I wish I could control 100% of what my girls eat, then again, my 5 year old turns down Go-gurt when it's offered for snack at preschool, so I must be doing something right.
Cady says
Yes!
My husband's cousins have brought McDonalds Happy Meals for their toddler children to more than one family holiday dinner, stating their children "won't eat" the turkey/pork plus myriad trimmings the rest of us all share, and my husband and I can't help but feel they are wrong... if a child is hungry and offered food, he or she will eat. A preference for deep-fried junk food doesn't happen without an adult's consent, conscious or not.
Our toddler, by the way, seems to be positively crazy about fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins. Hmmmm, I wonder how that happened. :)
Les @ LPN Salary says
As parents, we do have the responsibility of providing the best for our children -- that includes food. My son is always asking for donuts and juice because his pa and grandpa always, always bring him that when they come home from work or the mall. Now, we went to his pedia and I asked her to explain to him why he should start eating those less and less. Everytime he wants them, he tells me his doctor said it's better if he has milk and homemade cookies. Or something like that. Never too late to change our habits / lifestyle. It's really just a difficult thing to do but once you set your mind to it, it's possible. It's all about making wise choices.
Michelle says
I wrote a letter to the editor of the paper about 5 years ago along a similar line. One of the parenting columns had a letter from a grandmother, asking for advice regarding her grandson, who would only eat bowls of plain white spaghetti for every meal. I wrote a letter questioning how a 2-year-old was able to make pasta for himself 3 times a day, since that's obviously what must have been happening; otherwise, the adults in his life surely could have provided something else for his meals and simply not given him the pasta to eat. I actually had a total stranger read my letter in the paper and go through the trouble to get my phone number and CALL me to thank me for writing the letter. This was even before we started a "real food" journey at our house. I don't think I'm simplifying it, really: if it's not in the house, they can't eat it. If it does happen to be in the house, we're still the adults, and they STILL don't have to eat it. And they won't wither away to skin and bones. They will eventually eat the healthy food that's prepared, even if it takes a while, even if they stubbornly refuse for longer than we think possible.
An Exacting Life says
I recently blogged about what a fussy eater I was as a kid, and how grateful I am to my parents for sticking to their principles. My kid was the same - I tried to have some compassion, but was tough about some things, like not offering alternate meals. We both became very adventurous eaters by the time we were young adults!
Food Stories from a 1970s Kid: http://wp.me/p25oSj-c9
How I Fed My Kid: http://wp.me/p25oSj-8u
Terri says
Guilty as charged. I must say that even after 4 months of eating "real" food I still find myself fondly remembering the days of convenient boxed/frozen meals from the past. But I'm going to tough this out for all of us because I really know this is better. And the daily inspiration from you and all the readers really helps a lot.
My almost 5 y/o is mostly fine with the changes, he was the stubborn one at first, but now my 7 y/o has begun to request the junk again. So now I take her with me to the grocery store and have her read the ingredients. If she can find something junky without chemicals then we get it. I have to explain that if she needs me to pronounce the word, or if it has a number (yellow #5), it's probably is a chemical. Now hubby is another story.
Liz says
I completely agree with you! Every time I hear a parent say their kid will ONLY eat chicken nuggets, white bread, etc. I think, how did they get so attached to those foods in the first place? When my daughter was born, I started researching how I could help her learn to enjoy a lot of different, healthy foods. I make her baby food using mostly organic fruits and vegetables. She eats full-fat, plain yogurt from humanely-raised cows and oatmeal that I grind in my blender. I put lots of spices on her baby food and she loves them all, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, oregano, basil, sage, CURRY! I realize she is only 9 months old and I can control EVERYTHING she eats right now, so when she's a little older maybe things will take a turn for the worse. But I do the best I can for her and when she is introduced to chips, sugary treats, etc. it won't be at home. (Most likely, it will be at grandma's house.)
Now if only I could control what my husband eats! Ha, ha. Actually we both have a few vices (soda and sugary treats mostly) that we need to work on, but we've made so much progress it is amazing.
Jamie says
Yeah Liz, be prepared for a fight.. My son was the same way, I made all of his baby food, he did vegetables fine, put spices in his food.... then as he started eating more solid foods all of a sudden vegetables are the devil. I'll eat them in front of him, give him different ones to try and he will shake his head and toss them. Oh well. I've still got him on the good yogurt, fruits, very little sugar, and I figure I'll just keep trying with the vegetables. One day it will work again.
larissa says
The other thing we have found (even tho i do give a few processed things (like chips) occassionally!) We mostly eat Real Food for the past 2 years, and even more strictly this past year, that when you do try to go back to something as a "treat" no one wants it or if they do, they feel sick later.
We hadn't had ice cream from our old favorite local place in a long time, so we recently got some. And I am not kidding you, all 3 of us got sick afterward!!! My kids were even saying, we can't eat that anymore! Now we can eat healthy frozen yogurt fine and believe me we will :) It's just weird, your body has trouble going back. And that's a good thing.
Angela says
This is so interesting to me...
When I was preggo, I was sick the ENTIRE nine months. I ate whatever would stay down. I simply could not keep fruits down, although I love them. Veggies were tough as well. Often, it took something salty to make the rest of the meal digestible. So even though I began my pregnancy with the best of healthy eating intentions, I did whatever I could do to make it work as it went.
With my youngest son, he is a very picky eater. His older brothers are not. But he....as a baby, would eat every kind of pureed fruit and veggie, and when it came time to eat 'table food', refused almost all of it. Frustrating? Extremely. I continued (and still continue) to introduce healthy foods, but at age 11, he still turns his nose up at all fruits and many vegetables.
We have a large backyard garden, and he helps take care of it, but is still not a huge veggie fan. He *does* prefer whole wheat bread (which I bake) to white bread. I hide tons of veg in spaghetti sauce, etc. He will drink pure fruit juice. However, he also loves chicken nuggets and mac'n'cheese.
I keep trying. I don't keep many processed foods in our house. But I have to say, it's not as easy as 'feed them the right foods and that's what they'll eat'. They eat what they like. We can only offer the good stuff and hope it'll catch on. ;)
100 Days of Real Food says
Angela - That's why I said "for the most part" because there are always exceptions to the rule, but there are loads of kids out there who would gladly chow down on an apple if their parents simply gave them one.
Angela says
Point taken. :)
This is a great discussion, and is, quite literally, food for thought for all of us. If we were more mindful of the food we eat, I think many amazing things would happen.
Liz H says
Food and eating are such emotional topics. We eat for more than hunger. It takes recognizing that to make real changes. It takes motivation to change what we eat for the better and not always give in to convenience or emotion. No one is perfect. I don't know anyone who hasn't at some point allowed their child to eat what we all know is "junk." it's nearly impossible to avoid it 100%. However it IS our job as parents to patrol as much as possible. If your child has a severe food allergy you make darned sure they don't get exposed right? So why can't it be the same for junk food. Try thinking of it as an allergy and maybe it will make it easier.
I have Celiac disease so out home is largely a gluten free zone. I avoid it at all costs. And yes, sometimes I'm hungry because of it but I'm not going to perish! Saying "no" to your child is sometimes the best lesson for them. If I've learned anything from raising 4 kids including my twin 2 year olds and 2 teenagers, is that once they learn that no is no, you have won most of the battle. Children do well with rules as long as they know they will be enforced.
I battle in my own home, but not with my kids! It's my husband who doesn't hold the same view about what we should be eating! And that's a much bigger battle than any I've fought with my children!!!
However, when we go to a party I forget most of my rules and don't get hung up on what they're eating. I don't want to offend someone by not eating at their home because of their food choices. An again, it's a rare treat to do something like that, not an everyday occurrence.
We all have to do what we feel is best for our families and hopefully we will all continue to strive to do better. Just remember that guilt doesn't get you anywhere.
kristi says
My kindergardener is a strong reader, which is usually a blessing and sometimes a curse...but I love that, while eating her breakfast this morning she was reading the label on a bottle of marinade/dressing we left out from the night before (oops) and she blurts out,"Mom, this isn't healthy - it doesn't have any fiber or protein!" We have never sat down and had a lesson on nutrition labels, but we have discussed the things that help keep our bodies healthy. We may start having her check labels more often so she can learn on her own what is good instead of us having to 'force' healthy choices upon her.
Kerri says
Again, just want to support those who are struggling. I thought if you offered only heathy food they would eat it. I was proved right with my older son. I was proved wrong with my younger son. So, I have been offering him healthy food for 4 years and he just keeps getting pickier and pickier. Oh well.
100 Days of Real Food says
Don't give up...repeated exposure to whole foods is the right way to go whether they take it or leave it right now!
RevAllyson says
I am known as the Food Nazi in this house, and they MEAN it. I do the shopping most times, and when I buy food, I do not buy HFCS or most chemicals. I have this funny theory... if I don't buy it, then they can't eat it. I judge the foods available at school (we have a pretty good menu, actually... 50% of it is "real" food, which I consider great, and grilled chicken on salad is always an option, which one of our twins loves) before they get to eat it. If I don't like it, they get a packed lunch. That's that. They're six, and they've grown up with this.
I'm one of those "fine, if you don't want me to fix it, ti'll turn black and fall off on its own, whatever" type moms. You won't starve yourself - eventually you'll find food you like in what I offer you. If you want to whine about my food then you can go without. If you whine before tasting it, that must be because you're so tired you need to go to bed. NOW.
That said, I don't force a billion tons of new stuff every day. I do my best to make sure one "loved" item hits the plate each and every meal. I don't serve up hot and spicy stuff and expect them to love it when I know they don't tolerate spice well. Each item of food served is put on each plate (even the grown up plates, and I don't CARE if you don't like it, because you're setting an example for the children). Everyone gets a "no thank you" helping unless more is requested, and everyone EATS the small helping. If you dislike it and you eat your small helping without complaint, you may then make a peanut butter sandwich or a cheese sandwich (good whole cheese and home baked bread) and everyone will be happy.
Were there complaints? Hm... sometimes, yes, although our kids have been treated this way since birth. I just don't *care* if they complain LOL... I mean, I care about our kids, but not about the complaints. "I don't like this!" usually gets a reply of "Well, I don't like whining, so I guess both of us are unhappy."
Have to say, though... their favorite snack is leechees (those little white fruit thingies from the Chinese buffet, but I have an organic source for them). While they like freezies, we get the "all fruit" ones, and this summer I'll be making smoothie freezies for them. We do almost all the bread products at home, and I bake cakes and sis does pies and such. They're not lacking for treats. :)
M says
I love this reply. Whining and complaining don't bother (or sway) me, either. I am one of those "you won't starve yourself" moms, too. I consider myself to be a pretty nice person, but when it comes to our food...either eat it or don't, but this is what we're having, period. I have an 8-year-old and a 9-year-old, and it works here!
Mary says
My kids *know* if they whine about a good, home-cooked meal I will think they are tired an not hesitate to send them to bed at 6:30pm. My kids are not picky eaters (except fish!) so when they do complain, which is rare, there is usually another reason for it.
Jill says
Tiffany, I love the part about the "poo" . It is sooo true! If we go out for pizza, that white flour crust will do just that for my son and I. Definately have to get something with fiber afterwords!
Deb says
Totally agree! I'm pretty strict with what Jonathan (almost 3) eats, and I don't think he even notices that his food is very different than a lot of his little friends'. A few times he has had junk food at someone else's house he did like it. I really think the processed carbs and chemicals are that addictive! So I try very hard to keep him away from it.
There are healthy convenience foods for the times when you're just too busy to cook something. All grocery stores sell fresh fruit already cut up, applesauce, yogurt, nuts, dried fruit, etc. I just don't believe that any processed snack is faster than popping open a fresh banana for your kid. It really is all about making the healthy choices for your child.
Change in View says
I agree with you that we need to be aware. I think however, the hardest part is the cost of changing to that style. I am looking forward to being able to plan my own garden and help with the cost some, but when you are on a tight budget it is very hard. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, please share. I would love to see a blog about eating healthy on a budget.
100 Days of Real Food says
Here are some real food on a budget tips: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/09/30/real-food-tips-12-ways-to-keep-it-cheap/
Tiffani says
I agree with what you have said 100%. We haven't gotten there totally but at the same time I can at least take responsibility & admit when there is junk (even if it happens to be healthier for you organic junk) that it's my fault it is in the house. When it's not here we don't eat it. Plain & simple.
I just wish more parents would quit using the "don't make me feel guilty" angle every time there is a conversation like this. I feel like a bigger failure because I KNOW better but just write it off as being to busy that day and having a "treat". It's not a treat if my stomach feels like crap for two days after eating it or if my 2-year old doesn't poo for days because of eating that one Wendy's cheese burger. PLANNING is key and when we don't plan is when we start making poor decisions.
Cindy says
when in the grocery store the other day I was like - how much real food do I buy --- sadly to say not much --until reading your posts I never really thought to much about the processed food I buy ---a good friend said "shop the outer part of the store down the isles you won't find much real food." REALLY trying to change my habits
Jen says
My parents were doing the whole foods plan back in the 70's and I did really well, but then I joined the army and all that went out the window. I've been retired for a bit now and I'm slowly getting back on a whole foods method but it's really a matter of re-training my taste-buds (as my daughter puts it) and picking one food in each month's shopping trip to 'fix'.
Lilly R says
I have cut down on processed foods and sodas. I've even stopped buying juice. My kids are 11 and 13 and haven't really noticed. It can be done!
Andrea @ The Greenbacks Gal says
I've been cooking pretty much 100% from scratch for the last 3 weeks. It is a lot of prep. It is a LOT of dishes. It's not hard, but it is extra work. I understand the draw of processed cheap food. It is a decision we have to make and be dedicated to - even if it means a few more dirty dishes.
Amanda says
Is it too late? I have an almost 3 year old. He eats ONLY chicken nuggets, grilled cheese, bread with butter, corn dogs, pizza, CHIPS, and frozen smoothies (homemade-the only healthy thing he'll eat-no added sugar just fruit) I realize I introduced this junk to him and he won't try anything new, even if he has gone an entire day of not eating. The bread is ok because it is whole wheat (but the butter is ICBINB). If he sees a bag of chips he goes balistic if he doesn't get. I realize this is also a parenting problem and I'll have to go through some bouts before he gives up. The good thing about that bad food is that when he is hungry it is quick and I know he'll eat. I've even involved him in the cooking of our meals and he is super excited about it until he has to try it - he'd rather feed it to me. Any suggestions out there for me? I don't want him to starve by trying to force healthy on him but I would rather him get off the chips and frozen processed junk. I do not buy chips for the house. The only ones in the house that are "more" ok with me are goldfish.
michelle s. says
Start with substitutions is my advice. I know that I can get away with changing an ingredient here or there without them noticing. Also changing HOW you prep things (fried vs. baked). It's a long slow process with kids. But if you just start with baby steps and know that it's a marathon and not a sprint I think it will go better than stripping the entire pantry and going cold turkey. ;) Good luck! Oh yeah, and it's not too late. :)
Jan says
Stop bringing in chips and frozen processed foods and you will quickly get your son off from them. You can make chicken nuggets for him from chicken breast you buy in the store....not the fast food or frozen kind. You could bake your own bread without preservatives and offer it to him with natural peanut butter. Try putting some frozen chunks of bananas in a food processor or blender with a little peanut butter for protein and some cocoa powder and you have something that tastes like great ice cream. I even have a hard time believing it is not ice cream. You can hide all kinds of vegetables in spaghetti sauce. :) I hope this helps even a little.
michelle s. says
Spaghetti sauce is the best place to inject veggies with little notice, for sure. :)
Jen says
Chili and pureed vegetables in meatloaf also work ;-)
Gretchen says
For people who haven't made their own bread before - I just want to mention that when I started make my own 100% whole wheat bread,immediately, my husband and i fell in love with it and felt spoiled. My kids took 2 whole weeks before they would start eating my whole wheat versus the dutch county whole wheat we used to buy. Now they gobble it up. Some changes are super easy for kids and others take time. But I stuck to my guns because I knew how awesome and how healthy the bread was. I wasn't trying to force feed them beets or something. I also rename dishes so it sounds more fun to try. My daughter regularly requests "green soup" which is chicken broth with eggs and spinach and noodles. She doesn't even know she likes spinach. She just LOVES green soup.
Using the word "party" or "silly" or "princess" helps too!
Leah says
Definitely: I tell people frequently, it's all in the advertisement;)
Susan says
Amanda- Even though it feels frustrating, you really are in an ideal place right now to implement real foods into your son's life. First, you should watch this 20 minute video. It's a snippet of an entire video, but it will give you a decent grasp on the WAPF message....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCX1QG2df6c
Then once you watch that, check out the blogs by Kelly the Kitchen Kop and Cheeseslave. Both are mothers feeding their kids by the WAPF principles. They have a lot of good, kid friendly recipes that will give you a ton of ideas. Along with, of course, the recipes on this blog.
I would do anything to go back and change what I ate during pregnancy and what I fed my daughter during the first -most important- years of her life. I remember the 3's. I thought they were tougher than the terrible 2's. But once you get some ideas of what you can make, you can include your son, so eating will be fun. If he likes baked potatoes then find things he likes to put on top of it. Make whole wheat pancakes together. Make your own crackers and cookies. Make homemade ice cream with wholesome ingredients. Does he like bacon? Find good pastured nitrate free bacon and let him eat that. How about soup? Does he like potato soup? Veggie soup? Sweet potatoes drizzled with real maple syrup? Scrambled eggs?
Three is a tough age. There is a lot of challenging going on. He is seeing how far he can push you, but I believe once he starts getting nutrients from real sources instead of chemicals, he will begin to behave better. And once you stand strong -which you'll have the energy for if you are avoiding chemicals too!- you will win this fight! Don't worry if he doesn't eat what you and your hubby are eating right now. Just make him sit and eat something he enjoys that is good for him. Even if he only has some bacon, sweet potatoes and some ice cream, he is getting wholesome nutrients. He's not getting that from Goldfish.
You can do this!! Hang tough! You will win! When my daughter was 3, I had to sit down and call her on her game playing. I told her I was "on to her" and that she wouldn't win because I had more years of practice. It changed our dynamic dramatically!
So check out that video and those other blogs and you will be on your way!! :)
Amanda says
AWESOME - Thanks all for your comments. I have a lot of advice to go on and will be following all your suggestions!
Robin says
Amanda, you are brave for being honest about what your little boy eats and how he fights for his junk food One thing I will say is that as SOON as the processed food were out of my son's body, whining and tantrums about food stopped. It was a matter of days. He's 3-1/2 and he gets it. "junk food makes me grouchy" is what he says when people offer it to him.
Sarah says
I agree, and disagree. We started our switch to whole foods right around the time our oldest child was born (he's now three). So they've had very limited exposure to cereal, white bread (which they spit out), and the like. However, the first time they tasted goldfish crackers and mac and cheese, it was like a switch went off in their brain "mmmm...yummy!". We don't usually keep packaged food in the house, and if we do it is organic, and I try to keep the ingredient list fairly simple. My daughter is under two, and she only eats yogurt, fruit, and string cheese. It doesn't matter how many times I give her vegetables, she refuses them. She'll lick beans, and then refuse to put them in her mouth. But the first bite of chow mien at a Chinese place, and she was hooked! And she was raised on a whole food diet (what she would eat of it, anyway). I think our genetic makeup is meant to crave salt and fat...and I can already see that in my kids. It's not just as easy as "feed them good food and they'll eat it." But I try to remember that as long as my children are growing and healthy, I don't have to force them to eat. My daughter has been doing really well on her yogurt/fruit diet, much to my dismay...I'd really like to see her branch out. I keep sugar and refined foods out of my kitchen, and if they don't want what's there, then they are out of luck (don't worry, I buy stuff they do like). I have a feeling there will be a lot of training needed to get them to eat a wider variety of whole foods. That being said, as parents we CAN and SHOULD teach them to do just that. I wish my parents had taught me.
Rebekah says
If you are inclined to read non-fiction books, I bet you'd like "The End of Overeating" by David Kessler. He does go into detail about how foods are engineered (yes! engineered!) to tap into our natural cravings for salt/fat/texture. It is fascinating. :)
100 Days of Real Food says
Sarah - I think your situation is a case of "for the most part" because some kids do pose a much bigger challenge than others. But is great that you keep trying with your daughter (which is what you should do) because you never know when you'll have a breakthrough. Repeated exposure to these foods is key! Also, my kids love all that junk food you mentioned, too. Some moms write in and tell me their kid would choose fruit over chips...not mine. But since chips are rarely an option at our house it's not an issue.
Jen says
Yogurt was our daughters favorite too. Try adding hemp hearts or chia seeds to it. Just a little at first and then more as you go. My daughter is allowed as many bowls of yogurt she wants but over the years we have transitioned her so now its 1. plain yogurt with homemade jams (sweetened with honey) and 2. the first bowl gets hemp hearst and any subsiquent bowls get sunflower seeds raisins, etc.
She knows thats the rule, and enjoys the hemp hearts now anyways. Works and they are a complete protein so I feel at piece with it!
Kelly says
Looking back, I can honestly say that my parents were not as aware of what they were offering us as I am of what I am offering my kids these days. I wish they would have given me, starting at a young age, more choices than we were given.
It is our responsibity as parents to provide and give our children better choices. It does take more effort, on our part. But it is worth it in the long run. Great post! And I loved your applesauce pop's story. Gotta love the kids who enjoy healthy options... if only they were given them every day at home!
Jen says
AT least back then a lot of the (real terrible) crap in our food wasnt around yet. So HFCS, and crazy synthetics are new to our childrens generation I think. Thank god.
I always think that people tend copy the habits of their parents exactly, or go the extreme opposite (obviously shades of grey too). For me growing up on KD and hot dogs, I was over it by the time I was 8. I would fight to death to NOT eat that crap. When I moved out, I ate healthier than every before. Its weird .. cause my parents made me sit there and eat til it was gone or it went in the fridge. It blows my mind, cause it was the worst food, why woudl you force your child to eat it?? I wasnt even close to 100% real foods but still... much healthier than growing up. Seemed so sad to me.
Kim Sealy says
I completely agree with this article. My husband and I have 2 children together ages 4 and 2. My husband has a 14 yr old daughter from a previous marriage. We mainly feed our children real foods. My stepdaughter has eaten junk since she was born. She has asthma, pres diabetes and weighs 195lbs (more than her dad) on her 5'1 frame. I do blame her mom (who stays at home). Unfortunately we only get her in the summers and its kind of out of our control. Without dieting every summer she loses about 25lbs just eating what we have in the house.
Jill says
Very true... However, I'm still waiting for my 4 yr old to get thru the "I don't like it" without trying it stage... Some days are better than others. I got him to eat 4 bites of artichoke hearts knowing he could have mac-n-cheese if he did. At least I'm able to get some good in the belly and he's trying things somewhat. I shop Whole Foods so at least the snacks don't have high fructose and artificial dyes. But he's getting ready to go to PUBLIC school which serves "cheetos" and such... yuck... I'm going to have to tell the school not to provide it during aftercare.... It was actually easier when he was a baby, I made almost all his food and rarely bought jar food. If I did, it was organic. One day...all that changed and the struggle began eating fruits. He only eats apples,grapes and bananas. Refuses to try anything else. Can't even use the "one bite rule"... lol I know it will change one day, just wish that day was today!
michelle s. says
I used to battle with my daughter about eating at every meal when she was younger. It was my least favorite time of day.
Now at 14 she is a very healthy eater (who still occasionally indulges in treats like donuts or girl scout cookies). She is also totally adventurous and likes spicy and exotic foods. Don't give up the hope. ;)
Joyce says
I work in a Donut shop it makes me sad every time an overweight child comes in there with their parents to buy a dozen or two.Groups are forcing restaurants to not include toys in their kids meals because it entices children to eat there.I told one parent awhile back that if she didnt want her kid to get fat from eating at Mcdonalds then she needed to either quit taking him there or stop giving him money to go.It is so easy to place the blame somewhere else than where it needs to be.
michelle s. says
I totally agree with everything your wrote.
I've read M.Pollan's books, watched Food Inc & Supersize me and have lots of knowledge. Lots of head knowledge.
But I must say that I am at the point in life when everything we SHOULD be doing is totally overwhelming. We should be eating organic, local and healthy. We should be exercising an hour a day. We should check over their homework at night. We should have a clean house. We should pray and read the bible every morning. We should, we should, we should.
How do we choose the most important things? How do we fit it all in? How do we not live in guilt for all the things we find we aren't doing... even in the midst of doing so many things so well?
My point is this, I totally agree in my head. Living intentionally, in ALL the ways that we are "supposed" to starts feeling like a heavy weight after a while. Trying to think up super healthy dinners when we are juggling preteen schedules is hard.
I am finding a way to walk a happy and less stressed midline. For the most part we are eating pretty well. But I do feel like it needs to be said that it's ok if your kids drink an occasional chocolate milk. Or if you have to stop at Subway one night after ballet. It just has to be ok. Otherwise... well, otherwise it's just too much. When we are all trying hard to move in the right direction what we DON'T need is to feel judged for the occasional "less than perfect" meal. :)
Like I said, I completely agree with what you are saying. But I think we need to be careful that we aren't beating people down with "judgement" who aren't walking the walk perfectly.
:) I do love your blog.
goodgravyboat says
"I am finding a way to walk a happy and less stressed midline."
I feel ya! I defintely have a way to go, but I have come a way as well. We aren't 100% at my house by any definition, but little by little we are making better choices. Our goal is making healthy choices right now. We'll take it up a nothch here and there as we go.
There is a lot of misinformation out there about "healthy", but parents who make good choices should be proud of that even if the choices aren't the best choices. Sometimes you do have to choose your battles. And sometimes you do have to balance other factors in besides what is the absolute most perfect food option at the moment.
Kudos to anyone who tries! :)
Julie says
<3 this
Jen von Gradulewski says
I dont think anyone is judging for 1 less than perfect meal.
I hear this one a lot, where there are so many things to avoid, where do you start? Yes there is lead in your makeup, and toxic chemicals in toys.. but if you want to start somewhere FOOD is the best place. Its the lifeforce that sustains you, you are what you eat. Every food you put in your mouthm breaks down and its basically forming what your childs body is made out of. So food is definitely the place to start! And dont worry about 1 bad meal. If you can follow the 80/20 then your body is getting enough nutrients and real food that it can help clean the crappy stuff out quickly.
and I am not going to say you wont be judged, because people always judge, sometimes outwardly and often silently. But be comfortable with your decisions and the judging attitude wont bother you as much. As for this blog, and everyone on it. These people are here to support a real food diet, and back each other up. IF you want someone to tell you its okay to eat junk food, I just dont think this is the place . There is enough of that "out there" already. But dont take offense from everything either. Just be happy that your providing your children with excellent options!
michelle s. says
Your reply is actually the sort of judgement that I'm talking about. My family does better in terms of our diet than most (statistical) Americans. I am committed to eating real food just like you. But if you notice the comments a lot of people here are struggling with trying to do better. Your comment is essentially telling me that maybe I shouldn't be here if I am looking for people to back up unhealthy eating options. I'm not asking for that. I'm just saying that rather than beating ourselves up with these sometimes super lofty expectations that we can't always meet or beating each other up for feeding our families certain "not okay" foods it just creates judgement and animosity rather than a supportive environment to encourage each other in every step forward. I have been criticized on blogs like this for not doing enough... even when I'm sharing an accomplishment I've made in terms of our diet. My comment is simply to encourage everyone is any little step they take. Not to condemn them for all the steps still left on the journey that they haven't made it to (yet). :)
Jen says
I agree completely, and I am not 100% perfect and wasnt implying that. Just saying.. IMO out of all the things to aim for perfection (working out, praying, homework) food would/should be number 1. But its my opinion just putting it out there. Workign out is good for you, but I just think that the food that grows us has to come first.
MY comment wasnt even judgemental, and I am not judging you, but just providing my opinion on your comment. You haven't really said the things you do great so I can't really say great job. But the fact that your on this blog makes me assume you are doing great things. Like I said above, I am a strong beleiver in the 80/20 rules, which I think is a great way to encourage people. You dont have to quit foods cold turkey, or worry that one imperfect meal will ruin everything. Everything in moderation right? including junk food.
And I wasnt saying you shouldn't be here, but just that comments that back up traditional ways of thinking (eat whatever you want) are already everywhere. Your post exactly shows that because instead of showing all the great things you have done, you focus on mentioning how you dont do it perfect... No one does! But doesnt mean we can't strive for it!! So why not just supportive comments here for people to grow further. I dont think there needs to be pressure, but just support for real foods.
My biggest struggle is not planning ahead, cause when I do my cooking life is sooo much simpler, and the need for quick foods is eliminated. But when I do think ahead I can prepare bulk foods that are convenient when needed. We just made perogies the other day using freshly ground wheat, potatoes, cheese, spinach, squash. Now when we need a quick meal I just pop them out of the freezer.. its awesome!
Carrie says
I completely agree with you Michelle. I love this blog and appreciate all that it contains. The best lesson for me was to stop feeling guilty when we eat out and continue to try to give my kids the best foods that I can afford / make home made. Great discussion!
Kaitrin says
I also agree with Michelle. This blog has completely transformed my thought process on "healthy" food and I have never once felt judged. That being said I do hope that this blog will continue to help all of us, the 100% real food eaters and those that are making our way towards 100%, feel supported by the commitment that we have made. I feel it is better to add real food, even if it is only 10%, rather than none at all and commend all of us making the effort. I am well on my way and am sooo thankful for the resources on this site and all the different views that go with it :)
Tracey says
Michelle,
You put my thoughts into words so well, that I'll just echo your comment (and add a few words of my own!)
Yes, I'm learning and growing in this natural foods journey, but I also accept that there will be treats from grandparents, occasional processed snacks, and meals eaten in restaurants that will go against all the "rules." Life - even one prolonged by not letting anything "evil" enter our bodies - is too short for me to stress over that.
I really enjoy sites like this one that teach me and encourage me, even when every suggestion isn't one that I follow.
Amy says
"But I must say that I am at the point in life when everything we SHOULD be doing is totally overwhelming!" OMG I totally feel this! Sometimes I just feel totally overwhelmed too. Reflecting on your comment, I realized that in the last 2 years, I have made a lot of changes as I a) have learned more but more b) as I got used to the changes it was habit so I felt like I could intentionally change another thing that I "should" be doing. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to reflect. Now, back to being overwhelmed :)
100 Days of Real Food says
Michelle - I couldn't agree with you more...we also occasionally eat junk food (anything from homemade cookies to Dunkin' Donuts). Enjoying special treats in moderation is key and a fun part of life!
Sara Walsh says
*it*
Sara Walsh says
I can't tell u how many times I've said this...kids only know what you teach them and give them. However, when I say it's out loud, most seem offended as though I am judging them. I hate that.
Amy says
I agree with you, but what about the times the kids are out of your sight? I don't even have kids yet (and not sure I want them), but if I do it will be a no-win situation with my in-laws. Let the kids stay with the grandparents, and they will eat crap. Put my foot down and stand up for my kids and don't let them stay with grandparents, and my in-laws will be mad. Urgh.
Emily says
Then don't let them go over there unsupervised. That sounds harsh, doesn't it? But it's the only choice - either get a babysitter who will adhere to your rules for your family, and leave the kids with him/her, or take them with you. My FIL is the ruler of the household, and my DH grew up afraid of discipline because of it. When we had kids, he started down the same road with them - and I politely demanded of him that he leave the parenting to us. He was a little shocked at first, I think, but then backed down; it would be the same with foods. If they can't feed your child the way you prefer, then they won't get to eat together. I'm sorry that it might have to be that way! :( Hopefully they would come around to your way of thinking with enough persuasion & intelligence.
Tracey says
I do wince when I see the candy and processed food that my children are sometimes offered when they're with their grandparents, but the love and nurture our children receive from our parents and the pleasure they bring to the grandparents' lives far outweigh the occasionally negative food choices.
Dawnette says
My 9yo son had a busy day out yesterday and ate a bunch of "normal" American "food-like edible substances" (Thanks, Michael Pollan!) all day with his cousins and grandparents--hamburger, chips, pizza, movie popcorn, Icee, chicken strips, etc. Around 2 a.m., he woke with a stomachache and promptly lost his lunch, so to speak. I really AM sorry he felt so bad, but the silver lining is that the incident made for a very productive conversation this morning about the relationship between what (and how much!) we put into our bodies and how we feel. This review and the memory of throwing up may help him make better choices the next time I'm not around. I have no doubt that a similar conversation with my folks when I see them today will ensure they help steer him toward healthier choices the next time he's out with them, too. (I have to admit that all that red food coloring from the Icee threw me for a loop when I was half asleep; I thought at first that he was bleeding!)
Leah says
Hey, at least it didn't come out the other way ;) that food coloring is so nasty. Not that I've had experience with a green-colored slurpee or anything in the past... no, never ;)
100 Days of Real Food says
Yes, I am sure some are offended by me saying it as well, but I decided this message is important enough to risk it.
Cari says
It is so true- they do eat what is served. If you don't buy it you can't eat it. Of course it's best if you start young, if you raise them on processed junk and then try to switch it's more difficult, but if you start young they don't know any different. My boys love fruits and veggies because it's what I've always given them. Even when I used to give them processed mac & cheese I filled it full of chopped broccoli, carrots and frozen peas. There may be one or two veggies that they don't care for, but if you serve it they will learn to like it (and make sure no one tells them it's yuck). Give them a choice between fruit snacks and real fruit and they might choose the fruit snacks, but if you only give them real fruit they will eat it and like it.
100 Days of Real Food says
Exactly!! Don't even give them that choice...
Rachel says
Cari, I think you hit the nail on the head with "no one tells them it's yuck". My niece is almost done her 3rd year of school and one of the biggest changes in her has been her eating habits. Gone is the child who would devour butter chicken, Spanish rice and lasagna. Now it's peas are disgusting. Spinach is terrible. Mushrooms are the worst thing to happen to a person and everything is too spicy. Not a day goes by that she's not asking for fruit snacks or to order plain cheese pizza for dinner. Many of her classmates live around me and I know that most of them eat a mostly processed food diet. I don't give in to her ridiculous demands and I know her parents don't either but everyone is sick of the constant fight over meals. It's starting to rub off on the younger kids too, they hear her whining about the injustice that is scrambled eggs for breakfast and assume that she must be right.
Ange says
I love this! This is something I had to learn with my kids. I never told them things were yucky but I didn't offer things I don't like. Wouldn't you know it, my daughter loves fish (I hate every variety, literally gag every time)! And instead of saying, "Oh, you won't like that" to foods that sometimes have an acquired taste, letting them decide for themselves.
MyPeaceOfFood says
This is so hard for me. I recently wrote a post about it too, which spawned from a comment of yours on facebook, because I totally agree but am struggling! I know "I'm the mama," but my kid is the 2-year-old in the supermarket having a tantrum because I won't let him take home a box of sugary cereal — which he's never had before anyways. It's just the colorful packaging and cartoon characters that catch his eye. I'd love to either bring my husband as a reinforcement — he knows once we get home if I actually DO give in and let my son take home a "treat" he'll maybe eat 2 bites of it, so he more often says no and can help me control the tantrum — or go shopping alone, but that's just not always practical. Even Target has temptation lurking in every aisle — and that means more tantrums for things he doesn't even know he doesn't like.
I'm not a picky eater, nor is my husband, but of course our 2-year-old is. He hates nut butters, chokes on apples, will eat string cheese and raisins one day but spits them out the next. I'm hoping all of this is just a temporary battle, a call for attention, but the rest of the kids in my family (and my parents) are bad examples — they'll sometimes eat yogurt and cereal for dinner, and their pantries are always stocked with sugary treats that at any visit my son wants.
It's a daily struggle but one I'm trying to surpass — not caring if people stare when he has a tantrum and setting a good example with what I'm eating are things I can and need to do NOW. Next, I suppose, will come saying no to treats at other peoples' houses and again ignoring the tantrums! With another new baby coming in May I know I should start being stronger now. At least he likes organic meat!
Gretchen says
been there - done that. Now we have a 4 year old, 2 year old, and one on the way. Occasionally i will bring dried fruit, fresh fruit slices, or some sort of favorite "treat" for the kids and wait to give it to them during the times we HAVE to go down the bad aisles (otherwise we avoid or have no need to go down the processed food aisles) Cereal aisles were once bad (even though we never bought the sugary stuff - kids just knew they were supposed to beg for it). Now I can go and grab my oatmeal without a whine (an occasional request). Sometimes it helps to run down the aisle as a distraction - lol. It is just consistency and being confidant in your choice. If your kid tried to run across a busy street you would firmly refuse despite the protests - you just have to start thinking of food in the same way.
I have a strong-willed child that would leave me haggard and tired at the end of each day (she still does!) but eventually she learns and now she is a health food promoter and tells her friends and grandparents about the benefits of healthy eating - not that she won't eat bad stuff if i let her! (we have new battles we are working on now - I am victorious on the food front though it took a little time) Your child will not starve. Eventually the most picky eater will eat something. Just make that something healthy when they do give in and their palate will eventually change (reasonably) Mine love salad as a pre-dinner snakc now. They used to only want crackers or other processed crap for a snack.
MyPeaceOfFood says
Thank you, Gretchen — you give me hope! I know I am worlds ahead of other moms when it comes to this topic, not that it's a competition or anything, but I also try not to be too hard on myself for having Goldfish in the house (rather than Goldfish, chicken nuggets, chocolate milk, cookies, ice cream etc)...I just feel like there's so much more I need to do at the same time, like yes, finally get rid of the Goldfish too! I dread even walking into Trader Joe's because all he wants is bread made from white flour. Even the one-change-at-a-time philosophy kills me, because I don't know where to start with the few things left to eliminate on our list! It's a constant battle and everywhere I turn there's another no-no — the hamburger buns have more than 5 ingredients; I can't find organic ground turkey; I myself have significant food allergies (corn, peas, peanuts, soy, shellfish and walnuts) and my husband is supposed to stay away from saturated/animal fats. Sometimes it feels like our food options are dwindling. But we won't starve either, I suppose — it just takes discipline and that first step, like an addict — once you're off sugar, for example, you really do stop craving it!
100 Days of Real Food says
This might be a little off-topic, but as I was reading your comment I was thinking about the free parenting seminars that Amy McCready is doing for my readers. She has some great parenting tips for dealing with tantrums and such (we have all been there...you are not alone!). But yes, I agree...you should not care what anyone in the store thinks and not give in (easier said than done...I know!). Also, you can create your own idea of "treats" that aren't really that bad. For example I rarely buy apple juice, but occasionally my 4-year-old will beg for it so occasionaly I say okay. I feel as though (and hope) that satisfies her need for something special/exciting/etc. The same goes with cheese sticks...she has a strange infatuation with cheese, but cheese sticks are more expensive so every time we are at the store she asks for them, but I only occasionally "give in" and get them. Hope that makes sense and help
Emily says
I agree with you - Amy is AWESOME! I am only reading her book, not online, but it's great. :) And my boys are weird about food treats, too - they love string cheese. It's just mozzarella! So I get a big chunk & cut it myself, into cubes or long sticks; just as good. I love your not above about the applesauce frozen treats. They sound great! I'm going to have to try them.
As with all things, moderation and sensible choices. :) Good luck everyone on dealing with toddler tantrums - we're over that, thank goodness! Now I just have the teen years to look forward to...
MyPeaceOfFood says
Yep, I put some popsicle molds in my cart on Amazon today. That will work for all of us after dinner!
MyPeaceOfFood says
Thanks Lisa! I will look more into your seminars, I never put that together before in my head! Don't we all just think we have the perfect child and don't need any help... ;)
100 Days of Real Food says
My Peace of Food - Oh I know I need help...the minute my daughter turned 7 it was like someone taught her how to talk back! That's okay though...they really are good kids for the most part, but there is always room for improvement that's for sure. :)
Mary says
Kids are actually way more understanding than they are given credit for. I think a firm "No. We don't eat that, it is bad for us" would satisfy a lot of kids, even 2 yr olds. They deserve to know the "why" behind the no. And then the parents need to follow it up by not having the (sugary cereal, or whatever) in the house, ever. I know it is hard but you need to make the decision and not be wishy washy about it. Going back and forth with 'you can have the sugary cereal today, but you can't have the sugary cereal next time we go to the grocery store' is very confusing to a child and is probably what spurs tantrums.
Know that what you are doing by cutting out the processed foods is a great decision and what is best for you and your family. You are doing a great job, Mom! Now just make that leap!
Kate says
I totally agree with you, it's a parent's choice what goes into a kid's mouth. While we do not feed our kids 100% non-processed, we try our best (goldfish crackers will always have a place in our lives). Our kids basically subsist on fruit and 'real' peanut butter on whole wheat bread.
I do have to say that this post reminded me of one you wrote in the past, where you discussed going to a free kid's night at your grocery store, and seeing parents giving their kids nuggets and chocolate milk. In the post, you suggested this must be how those kids eat all the time. My children have a great diet at home (using many of your recipes), but on the rare occasion that we go out, they do get to have chocolate milk and nuggets. It's a treat for them, and not a reflection on their diet in general.
AlisonT says
I am on the same page as Kate. We are trying our best to reduce the amount of processed food in our family, but have not gone all the way. We have included more organic food in our diet (including milk, sour cream, butter, most meat and many veggies during growing season), and limit the junk food. I admit to eating junk after the kids are in bed, though, and I hope to work on that bad habit soon!
I do, however, let my daughters have a treat when we are out to eat or traveling. Chocolate milk is a special treat, and they occasionally eat fast food, which they don't even really enjoy. Most of the time, we offer them nutritious choices and they eat them happily. The occasional treat isn't going to worry me.
Susan says
The other day me teenage daughter and I were out running errands. She told me kept seeing commercials for Shamrock shakes at McD's and could we please go get one. Ewwww. I thought as I remembered there are like 43 chemicals in fast food shakes. But once she pointed out to me that we haven't had a "treat" in 4 years, I relented. I hated it, but I relented.
Well, imagine my surprise when she got 1/4 of it down and then said she didn't want it because it tasted like chemicals! She threw it out at our next stop. When we switched to real food 4 years ago, she was 12 and went along with my reasoning pretty well. I just kept telling her over and over again what these fake foods do to our bodies and brains. I never even realy knew if she was even listening! How pleased I am that she had been.
The beauty of eating real food is that you become so accustomed to the fresh taste that nothing else will do. Its neat to know that a teenager even noticed!
100 Days of Real Food says
AlisonT - I also eat a little treat (dark chocolate) when my kids are in bed or when they aren't looking! No one here is perfect...which is not what this is about anyway. Just being aware and making the right decisions the majority of the time can go a long way...
100 Days of Real Food says
Kate - I remember what post you are talking about and yes there are absolutely always exceptions to the rule. But at the same time since we live in a world where processed food rules I think it's safe to say the majority of the patrons eat that way all the time. Which is honestly fine...but since I used to feed my kids that stuff because I just didn't know any better I feel the need to spread the word! :)