This week's topic for Mamavation TV is Childhood Obesity.
I wasn't sure I had anything to add to the conversation...
I am a Mom who has cheered on every pound my children gained, cried as they lost and prayed that they would somehow find their way back onto the growth chart since birth. Fruit and vegetables do not pack on the pounds, but carbs like potatoes and sugar do. When you can see every rib in your one year old, you begin to look at food... and calories differently.
I understand obesity is a big issue in the US, but it is something I can't relate to. My children have actually had the opposite problem. When sitting down to write this post I thought about my own experiences and the harsh criticism and comments from people who are quick to judge me as a Mother. Yes, even family has taken issue over what I feed my children. So today I offer you a unique perspective in the Childhood Obesity conversation about passing judgement.
I pass judgement on my own weight gains, food choices and lifestyle all the time. The more I look at myself and make changes for my family, the harsher I am on my own failings. The flip side is to be careful of the judgement you pass on others as you learn more about food and living a healthy lifestyle.
While enjoying a night out at Red Robin with my family we ordered our usual favorites. My children have PKU and we can only feed them medically modified foods (purchased through our children's hospital) or fruit and vegetables. My kids love french fries and luckily potatoes have become my starchy friends. Fried foods carry more calories and potatoes are a great carb if you want to gain weight. Along with their fries they had their usual baby carrots (no dip due to the dairy), steamed broccoli and mandarin oranges. As my son happily munched on his fries an older woman in the booth next to us rolled her eyes at me and loudly started talking about what people feed their kids. Okay, first of all we were in a burger restaurant. I also understand that my child's meager plate might have looked odd, but I was within their recommended diet and I like taking them out to eat sometimes as a treat.
This wasn't the first time I have heard comments about my parenting and what I feed my children, but it didn't hurt any less.
The truth is we are all trying as parents. As we all make healthier choices for our family I want to urge you to be sensitive to the situation of others. As I enjoy my steel cut oats for breakfast, or my farm raised meat at dinner it pains me that I can't share these healthy foods options with my children. I don't expect others to understand, but I do want people to be aware that in rare situations "healthy food" might be defined differently.
I hope we can all lead by example with our healthy lives, free of judgement for others and the current path they are on. Just as I don't want to be defined by my weight, I don't want my children to be defined by the food they eat... or can't eat. Of course the real challenge is for me to not eat like my kids do and share the vegetable and fruit options that we can.
I am THAT Mom... and am proud to tell you why.
________________________________________
That is the hard part. I can hit snooze a dozen times in my sleep...
If you have read his book, what do you think? Has anyone put his suggestions into action?
My Meal Plan:
Sunday - BBQ: grassfed, hormone free beef, grilled veggies and roasted sweet potatoes
Monday - Poached eggs with Chard over brown rice
Tuesday - Homemade Spaghetti & Meatballs
Wednesday - Meatless Taco Salad
Thursday - Tofu Stir Fry over brown rice
Friday - Go Out!
Saturday - Chicken Fajitas
Exercise:
Daily - 3.5 mile walk, gardening
3x a week - DVD workout of choice
This is my basic plan for the week. Of course, life is always good about throwing a monkey wrench in the works, but this gives me a starting place. What are your food and exercise goals for the week?
Be sure to check out my Beautifully Baked Ratatouille Recipe on Mamavation this week!
BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Joy Feldman. Two blogging carnival participants will each receive Is Your Hair Made of Donuts book. To be eligible inlcude the following disclmber and link back to Mamavation website.
*Disclaimer - This post is sponsored by Joy Feldman and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway” at the bottom of your post. Link up your post here.
We went out to eat this weekend and I felt the same way being the only one in the family that can eat real food, sometimes makes it harder to kick myself.
ReplyDeleteHugs for you though...what kid doesn't eat fries at a burger joint?! Seriously! My inlaws try to make us feel guilty about our kids wearing slims and being so skinny.
Hold your head up because you are doing right for your family and thats what counts.
Okay, this MAY suprise you, but I let my kids have french fries when we are out too. I follow the 80/20 rule. That means about 80 of our meals are cooked at home and ingredients are controlled to my liking. So when we go outside of the home to eat I pretty much let them eat whatever they want (within reason)...that means pizza, french fries, corn dogs, or whatever is at the party or function or restaurant.
ReplyDeleteMy kids are skinny too but very strong. And yes, their ribs poke out in the back but that is very normal for this age. I'm not so worried. They get plenty of healthy fats, fruits & veggies, protein, fiber. We are all good.
No judgement here...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely agree with Leah. No judgment here either. I let my kids eat fries when we go out. They eat pizza, chicken nuggets, burgers, all that god awful unhealthy stuff. But when we are at home, they eat very healthy. And eating out is something that we do like once a month only. My husband works for a food service company so he is around food daily which in turn makes him not want to eat out.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great week! Sorry deleted my original. Guess my fingers were moving to quick to keep up with my thoughts, too many typos, lol.
I think that french fries once in a while are not bad. I am lucky my son picks broccoli, but when he asks for them, I let him have it. It is not what we eat, it is how much of it we eat.
ReplyDeleteI like your meal plan for the week.
I completely understand about kids being underweight. I had that problem with my girls because they have all tended to be long and lean. That said, I also agree others shouldn't judge because you don't know the whole story. Like Leah mentioned. If you cook at home all the time and eat healthy and let them have those "treats" when you eat out, you're are still doing whats best for you and your family!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I love your new blog layout! Second, if I was in the restaurant and saw what your kids were eating, I would have been jealous! My son is so picky, it's hard to get him to eat any sort of fruit or veggie. When we go out to eat we will order him things we know he will eat w/out fighting us (who wants to argue w/ a toddler in a restaurant??) and I know we definitely get judged sometimes!!
ReplyDeletegood luck with the week ahead of you and I'm sure your a fantastic mom who is doing the best she can for her kids, don't let anyone else get you down hugs i missed you too
ReplyDeleteDon't let anyone talk you down!!! These are your children and only you knows what is good for them! You're an awesome mom!!!
ReplyDeleteI really NEED to get into better sleep habits. I find myself trying to do so much every night that I don't get to bed until 11 or 12 and then I have to get up for work at 5:30 or 6. I'm not doing myself any favors, that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, that your post really had me wondering how to reply on so many levels. Not because I disagree at all! If I was out and saw you, I would probably use you as an example of healthy options. French fries and veggies....would that older lady be happier if they had a huge burger in front of them? Im not sure I understand WHAT her outrage would be for. But, with that being said, I am guilty of judging other parents based on what their children are eating. (I hate that...glad I'm admitting it, but hate that I'm bad at it.)
ReplyDeleteIn my community, and amoung my friends and family, I'm the one that gets the weird looks because I watch my children's sugar intake and processed food intake. Im the one that the other parents roll their eyes at because I disagree with the food choices at our cafeteria. I'm the one that they say oh lighten up because I think soda pop should NOT be in our schools.
I guess my judgment comes like this, as parents it is our responsibility to teach our kids how to take care of themselves. You are teaching your children how to eat, so they stay healthy. I'm teaching my children how to eat so they stay healthy. My children have health issues, and are predisposed to have the same issues I have when they are adults. So, as parents it is our job to teach them.
I think what you are doing as a parent is brilliant! You are teaching them what they can or can not eat to be healthy.
You should be applauded, not belittled.
Just read some other comments, and I guess I should have clarified, my children follow the 80/20 also. Lol!
DeleteAnd...I had included this, but then deleted it because I thought it made it too long, but I am worse with my judgment when it comes to people I know. Because I care, and care about their children, and I know what they are feeding their children is going to do, or is doing to those children right now. I don't just go out to eat and instantly judge the table next to me. Wanted to clear that up. :)
Too bad your fork didn't find its way to her eye. ;) You're right. People need to get a grip and realize that one moment in time does not explain or define an entire person's life/choices!
ReplyDelete