tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266242870866513690.post2947665513500920960..comments2024-03-27T00:34:14.704-07:00Comments on A Life Less Sweet: Helping kids find a healthy balance without stresscathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10258482044838974992noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266242870866513690.post-91933716942531031792009-03-12T11:50:00.000-07:002009-03-12T11:50:00.000-07:00interesting article. i think you sum up my approa...interesting article. i think you sum up my approach with this sentence: "these changes are about teaching my kids to like really good food that happens to be good for you. " i look at "diet" as what I eat, NOT what is restricted. i do eat whole foods from plant sources. i do eat animal protein in moderation. i do eat sugar in moderation. i do eat processed/packaged food in moderation. i choose natural colorings/flavorings over artifical. i teach the kids the same thing. it's ok to eat foods that aren't "grow" foods in moderation, and we enjoy them. they aren't feared. if parents are afraid of chemicals, fat and sugar then kids will be too.jennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16282233691126860298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266242870866513690.post-44200143250151891882009-03-08T08:55:00.000-07:002009-03-08T08:55:00.000-07:00I don't have kids yet, but shoot! I may need to ch...I don't have kids yet, but shoot! I may need to chill out a little before I do! My overall thought on the subject is that I will only be able to "control" what my kids eat for the first few years of their lives. After that, I'll have to let go of that perceived control and let them decide for themselves. Hopefully, fruits and vegetables will taste best to them by then, and packaged food taste like cardboard....we can dream, right? <BR/>:)My Year Withouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17290085498074393110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266242870866513690.post-66680871627539966382009-03-08T06:33:00.000-07:002009-03-08T06:33:00.000-07:00I think you are passing on such an amazing message...I think you are passing on such an amazing message in such a positive, healthy way. I'm so glad you brought up the issues of feeling superior and obsession. Both are important to remember when it comes to health. I don't have kids myself, but it sounds to me like you are doing a darn good job!Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02673728403023457344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266242870866513690.post-63062624021060910362009-03-07T06:11:00.000-08:002009-03-07T06:11:00.000-08:00Twin Toddlers Dad & Super Healthy Kids - I see...Twin Toddlers Dad & Super Healthy Kids - I see this article struck a nerve with you too - but in the opposite way. I'm SO glad that you both chimed in. I think that you both make VERY valid points. Of course the media latches on to an extreme - it seems to be what they do these days. Thanks for pointing that out and injecting a little common sense here!cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10258482044838974992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266242870866513690.post-1901275688664150562009-03-07T04:54:00.000-08:002009-03-07T04:54:00.000-08:00I do not think this is a problem in the least. Li...I do not think this is a problem in the least. Like TTD, they have taken a very small problem and made it look extreme. I know many kids and not one of them have anxiety about their diets. For the kids that do, it was never about food. They would have anxiety about anything and it happens to be food for the kids in this article. <BR/>I even had a friend who was very extreme. A raw foodie, and her kids ate the same way. They had no qualms about accepting a treat at my house. No anxiety, no fear of death...nothing!<BR/>The only trouble my kids get is that I head up the healthy lifestyles program at my kids school, so when their teachers see them choose a laffy taffy out of the prize box their teacher will say, "does your mom want you choosing that?" My son just laughs.<BR/>Lets give the kids a little credit here. They are resiliant, easy going, smart people who understand more than we give them credit for.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266242870866513690.post-68451606142329954572009-03-06T17:11:00.000-08:002009-03-06T17:11:00.000-08:00CathyI did read this article in NYT and I am glad ...Cathy<BR/>I did read this article in NYT and I am glad you decided to write about it. In my opinion, this is another example of how the mainstream media highlights something extreme to catch our attention. I did not really like the tone of that article. It seemed to me that they tried to put parents on the defensive if they cared about the nutrition of their children. There will always be a few people who would take anything to the extreme; it does not mean that all parents are like that. And by no means should we stop caring about the eating habits of our children!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266242870866513690.post-83017527116107288022009-03-06T13:12:00.000-08:002009-03-06T13:12:00.000-08:00Laura and Mark - thanks as always for your thought...Laura and Mark - thanks as always for your thoughtful comments!<BR/><BR/>Hanlie - Good job setting up good eating habits BEFORE the kids come. It will serve you well!<BR/><BR/>Sagan - I suspect you would surprise yourself. But hey - kids are not necessary for eating healthy or for living a fulfilling life!cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10258482044838974992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266242870866513690.post-26697684892216718972009-03-06T12:15:00.000-08:002009-03-06T12:15:00.000-08:00It sounds like you have an excellent way of handli...It sounds like you have an excellent way of handling the situation. That would be a huge issue I'd have as a parent... I'm not sure that I would be able to keep the balance necessary for the kids to grow up with healthy attitudes. Good thing I'm not planning on having kids, then!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266242870866513690.post-18919679485607222642009-03-06T12:10:00.000-08:002009-03-06T12:10:00.000-08:00I have no idea how we're going to handle it when w...I have no idea how we're going to handle it when we have kids... but I'm glad that we're making the transition before the time. That way there shouldn't be any confusion - it would just be the way we do things! As you say, having plenty of healthy food around should make it easier. We also won't have TV, so they wouldn't be exposed to advertising so much...<BR/><BR/>I really admire you for what you're doing!Hanliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16476650601531649816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266242870866513690.post-52336679303496513612009-03-06T11:18:00.000-08:002009-03-06T11:18:00.000-08:00I think it is important to lead by example and lik...I think it is important to lead by example and like you have mentioned often...if the junk isn't around the kids won't eat it. (paraphrasing of course!) Have a nice weekend!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266242870866513690.post-80196597061991868192009-03-06T08:01:00.000-08:002009-03-06T08:01:00.000-08:00Nice post. I think it must be very hard to be a pa...Nice post. I think it must be very hard to be a parent (!). I am not one, but I say good for you for obviously listening to your kids and loving them to pieces.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com