Have you ever said something that maybe your child shouldn’t have heard you said in an adult conversation and now you’re trying to backpedal so they don’t repeat it? Or maybe you had to then explain yourself but they weren’t understanding because they are a child? Well, keep that in mind in the way you talk about yourself, body image and food.
I ask my clients who are parents do you eat differently than your family? Are you willing too? But the real question is, should you? Now that being said if you do have legit food intolerances you might be swapping things out but when it comes to health reason everyone should have balance.
One question I get is how do I get Bentley to eat what I eat and its pretty simple, I cook the food. She eats the food. We have always been really lucky she has always wanted to eat the same foods as us and she eats all sorts of things. But I find it more important HOW we approach what we eat.
Making dinner, she will ask “momma what is this” I can then explain to her its a vegetable, its called a carrot. She will say “a carrot” and I say “Yes! We need it for GOOD energy so that we can have lots of fun at school and dancing and work out” and she will say “OH I like carrots” We do this with ALL the foods. Now she is a bit older so I do start to say “Oh did you know we also call this a Carbohydrate and carbs give us the BEST energy” and she gets pumped up!
Now it comes treats time… “Momma can we get ice cream shopping today?” I reply “YOU bet baby!! Shopping is such a fun time to get a treat!!” She will reply “Treats are good only once in a while right” I reply “Yes”.
Now I’m sure you’re like WHOA that’s all very dramatic but she is three so it sticks and it works for us! Creating the understanding at the young ages of Everyday and all the time foods and treats will help you communicate with your child as well as set boundaries with them and their choices. Please do not Lable foods as good or bad, this is why our teens and adult populations feel guilt about food and develop eating disorders.
Helping your child understand the balance will also empower you and make you feel confident and more open with your family about the changes coming to the family!
For the record, I would also like to point out Bentley loves Spaghetti! So We still get her that! She also has had her fair share of chicken strips and pizza, but a balance is what we are after!
Some tips if your struggling with your child and their food favorites are chances are they are enjoying the sugar in products and processed foods, so instead of just cutting them, cold turkey help be switching our snacks foods for fruit and smoothies. Slowly add more veggies into their days. Sneak in a bag of cucumbers and carrots with some bolt house yogurt ranch, they won’t be able to tell the difference! Choose rice crackers over chips and rice cakes with chocolate chips with almond butter! Gluten-free cereals and almond milk! These things will really go along away.
The reason i want to instill good habits into Bentley now is so that she has this as a life skill! Weighing and measuring our food is NOT so mommy can have a six-pack in her mind its so that MOMMY knows HOW much to eat so that I can compete at CrossFit, again it opens the conversation up about making sure we eat enough GOOD foods!
I Hope this helps! It can be overwhelming to make changes for yourself and family but Don’t expect to do it overnight, take your time It will come!