Are Fears Determining Your Family"s Health?
As a parent of young children I find myself stewing over how to get the best things for my children; education, friends, extra curricular activities etc.
Among these best things one of my greatest fears and concern was- how can I feed my kids healthy? What is the "best" way to eat? Should I just deal with the fact that they will only like chicken nuggets? I began to research and develop a lifestyle for myself, one that I could help my children come to adopt and thrive with.
It is a confusing society that we live in.
My recent observations have determined a few things about our society and nutrition -People want to eat healthy -People want to eat healthy, but they don't want to give up their favorite foods.
They want a fast, magic pill to do it.
-There is a huge industry of health advise and many conflicting theories Generally people understand that fruits and vegetables are the healthiest foods for you.
-There are a lot of politics in public nutrition information -Most parents want their children to lead healthy, happy lives -Most people don't believe their kids will like healthy food -There is a fear of failure with healthy living People I have talked with, in general understand that plant food, aka fruits and vegetables are the healthiest for us.
If we generally have this understanding then why do we as parents show so much anxiety at the dinner table when we introduce broccoli to our children? It is stressful to put up a fight, to watch your child pass over meal after meal saying they don't like.
It is easier to give in and fix up a grilled cheese sandwich or go get a Happy Meal.
Did you know it may take over 10 times for a child to like a food? In my family I determined that a plant based diet would best meet our needs and our health.
Plant foods, especially dark leafy greens, give our bodies natural defenses against chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
Diets low in animal products can give children and parents alike wonderfully healthy lives and longevity.
Here is where fear comes in to play.
How in the world are you supposed to feed a child natural, whole foods in a world where refined sugars and boxed dinners are a staple at the table? In my experience children will follow example.
We have two young children under the age of four.
Both love vegetables and could live off all fruits if we would let them.
We introduce food and if it doesn't take the first time around we don't give up.
We try again later.
Our oldest child has turned down many treats including cotton candy and requested a banana or even cashews instead.
Overcoming fears of healthy living is easier than some may think.
Add small changes into your home.
Cut down on animal products, don't use cheese as a snack use apples and natural peanut butter instead.
Be patient with your family.
It takes time to adapt tastes back to natural flavors.
What I fear more than a food battle with a child is the potential for sickness and disease I may cause them if I let them continue to get 90% of their diet from animal products, fast food and dairy.
Some changes we have noticed by living on a 90% plant based diet: -clearer skin- both of my kids had eczema, it is now gone - less ear infections- our oldest had 6 infections in a year, since changing our diet we haven't been to the doctor once in 7 months for ear infections! -no stomach discomforts- when we are full it is not uncomfortable.
We don't have cramps and pains either, we just feel good.
-No more headaches- I suffered from chronic headaches for a long time, I know longer have them! -Weight loss- my children don't need to worry about this, but I personally have lost nearly 25 pounds in 4 months eating a plant based diet In general from living on fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds etc.
and decreasing our animal product intake our bodies have never felt better.
My children love our food.
It has taken time, months of time.
It is worth it though.
To see my children passing on treats and choosing healthy living is more than I could ever ask for as a parent.
I know that through example and patience fears of healthy living in our families will diminish because you will see that there was nothing to have fear about in the first place! We are able to meet our protein and calcium needs through beans, almond milk, and vegetables without excess calories and saturated fat that meat, cheese, and dairy bring.
I'm not writing this to say my way of eating is best, or judge anyone else for how they choose to eat! I'm writing this because so many people have been in the situation where fear sets in.
Whether it's fear of gaining weight, fear of unhealthy children, or just confusion on all the diet plans available to us.
I love the way we eat because it will sustain weight loss, we won't be constantly fighting against my weight if we keep it up.
That is a relief to some of my fears as well! Do I believe that we will never be at risk for disease? No, my family doesn't always eat perfect, but I'd like to help our preventative chances any way I can.
Don't let fear or the typical society determine how you eat and feed your family.
Do what is healthiest! Don't ever stop trying, you haven't failed until you stop trying!
Among these best things one of my greatest fears and concern was- how can I feed my kids healthy? What is the "best" way to eat? Should I just deal with the fact that they will only like chicken nuggets? I began to research and develop a lifestyle for myself, one that I could help my children come to adopt and thrive with.
It is a confusing society that we live in.
My recent observations have determined a few things about our society and nutrition -People want to eat healthy -People want to eat healthy, but they don't want to give up their favorite foods.
They want a fast, magic pill to do it.
-There is a huge industry of health advise and many conflicting theories Generally people understand that fruits and vegetables are the healthiest foods for you.
-There are a lot of politics in public nutrition information -Most parents want their children to lead healthy, happy lives -Most people don't believe their kids will like healthy food -There is a fear of failure with healthy living People I have talked with, in general understand that plant food, aka fruits and vegetables are the healthiest for us.
If we generally have this understanding then why do we as parents show so much anxiety at the dinner table when we introduce broccoli to our children? It is stressful to put up a fight, to watch your child pass over meal after meal saying they don't like.
It is easier to give in and fix up a grilled cheese sandwich or go get a Happy Meal.
Did you know it may take over 10 times for a child to like a food? In my family I determined that a plant based diet would best meet our needs and our health.
Plant foods, especially dark leafy greens, give our bodies natural defenses against chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
Diets low in animal products can give children and parents alike wonderfully healthy lives and longevity.
Here is where fear comes in to play.
How in the world are you supposed to feed a child natural, whole foods in a world where refined sugars and boxed dinners are a staple at the table? In my experience children will follow example.
We have two young children under the age of four.
Both love vegetables and could live off all fruits if we would let them.
We introduce food and if it doesn't take the first time around we don't give up.
We try again later.
Our oldest child has turned down many treats including cotton candy and requested a banana or even cashews instead.
Overcoming fears of healthy living is easier than some may think.
Add small changes into your home.
Cut down on animal products, don't use cheese as a snack use apples and natural peanut butter instead.
Be patient with your family.
It takes time to adapt tastes back to natural flavors.
What I fear more than a food battle with a child is the potential for sickness and disease I may cause them if I let them continue to get 90% of their diet from animal products, fast food and dairy.
Some changes we have noticed by living on a 90% plant based diet: -clearer skin- both of my kids had eczema, it is now gone - less ear infections- our oldest had 6 infections in a year, since changing our diet we haven't been to the doctor once in 7 months for ear infections! -no stomach discomforts- when we are full it is not uncomfortable.
We don't have cramps and pains either, we just feel good.
-No more headaches- I suffered from chronic headaches for a long time, I know longer have them! -Weight loss- my children don't need to worry about this, but I personally have lost nearly 25 pounds in 4 months eating a plant based diet In general from living on fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds etc.
and decreasing our animal product intake our bodies have never felt better.
My children love our food.
It has taken time, months of time.
It is worth it though.
To see my children passing on treats and choosing healthy living is more than I could ever ask for as a parent.
I know that through example and patience fears of healthy living in our families will diminish because you will see that there was nothing to have fear about in the first place! We are able to meet our protein and calcium needs through beans, almond milk, and vegetables without excess calories and saturated fat that meat, cheese, and dairy bring.
I'm not writing this to say my way of eating is best, or judge anyone else for how they choose to eat! I'm writing this because so many people have been in the situation where fear sets in.
Whether it's fear of gaining weight, fear of unhealthy children, or just confusion on all the diet plans available to us.
I love the way we eat because it will sustain weight loss, we won't be constantly fighting against my weight if we keep it up.
That is a relief to some of my fears as well! Do I believe that we will never be at risk for disease? No, my family doesn't always eat perfect, but I'd like to help our preventative chances any way I can.
Don't let fear or the typical society determine how you eat and feed your family.
Do what is healthiest! Don't ever stop trying, you haven't failed until you stop trying!