yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Apr 28, 2017 10:14:40 GMT -5
Fairly clean eater here too! My kids eat "almost" everything. I say almost because one wouldn't eat green peppers and blueberries and the other detests kiwis and a couple more things. Other than that, they eat everything. Including junk whenever we allow them Mealtimes in our house are pretty much what I cook and put on the table. I am a HUGE on clean eating so mostly its meats and veggies and soups and dishes made from scratch. I make my own chicken and vegetable stock too. My kids even eat things like barley, quinoa, squash and kale, which I have heard most kids don't eat. Perhaps it helps that DH and I eat everything too I work full time in a highly demanding job. It takes a significant amount of planning and prep to eat clean, but it can be done if you are organized enough to do it. We have our share of junk food once in a while. I am not the one to deny my kids some simple pleasures, so yes, they do get McDs, Burger King and other things off and on. The frequency is low though. This is pretty much me but my kids haven't had fast food yet. That's mostly because DH and I won't go near those places. Occasionally we'll get a pizza but don't even do restaurants much, only a few times per year. I pack their lunches for school and batch cook dinner. DS on his own has said our food at home is better than restaurants. All is subject to change but for now, it works.
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Apr 28, 2017 10:28:23 GMT -5
I don't know if this will work for anyone else but I try to focus on defining what is healthy and not healthy including things like only eating broccoli is not healthy because other foods have different vitamins and minerals you need. I've come down to the rule of 1 unhealthy thing per day. For DS this is the "healthy snack" he gets at his after school program which sometimes is legitimately healthy but most times is something like pudding or goldfish. Then on the weekends they choose something e.g. ice cream, a small chocolate, chocolate milk, small bag of plain chips. Those are about the only "junk" items I will keep in the house. If we are at a party or somewhere else, I don't stop them from eating things, that is their chance to self monitor. Of course in those situations they usually have more than the 1 junk item but hey, we should all live a little, right?
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Apr 28, 2017 11:25:30 GMT -5
Fairly clean eater here too! My kids eat "almost" everything. I say almost because one wouldn't eat green peppers and blueberries and the other detests kiwis and a couple more things. Other than that, they eat everything. Including junk whenever we allow them Mealtimes in our house are pretty much what I cook and put on the table. I am a HUGE on clean eating so mostly its meats and veggies and soups and dishes made from scratch. I make my own chicken and vegetable stock too. My kids even eat things like barley, quinoa, squash and kale, which I have heard most kids don't eat. Perhaps it helps that DH and I eat everything too I work full time in a highly demanding job. It takes a significant amount of planning and prep to eat clean, but it can be done if you are organized enough to do it. We have our share of junk food once in a while. I am not the one to deny my kids some simple pleasures, so yes, they do get McDs, Burger King and other things off and on. The frequency is low though. This is pretty much me but my kids haven't had fast food yet. That's mostly because DH and I won't go near those places. Occasionally we'll get a pizza but don't even do restaurants much, only a few times per year. I pack their lunches for school and batch cook dinner. DS on his own has said our food at home is better than restaurants. All is subject to change but for now, it works. Once again, I so so want to be like you when I grow up!!
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Apr 28, 2017 11:39:56 GMT -5
I think it would be nice for my kids to go off to college or off on their own and eat the same way they do now but I'm not naive enough to think that will happen. I do hope that I'm giving them a good start, it is something that is important to me. It is no different than people who want their kids to be a baseball all-star or a music prodigy. This happens to be my thing and it's an area I am focusing on. I know I'm probably lucky too because they are mostly cooperative but like HoneyBBQs kids, they were crap sleepers as babies and even now I am woken up daily at 5am, so I'm thinking, you win some, you lose some.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2017 12:16:36 GMT -5
I've come down to the rule of 1 unhealthy thing per day. For DS this is the "healthy snack" he gets at his after school program which sometimes is legitimately healthy but most times is something like pudding or goldfish. Then on the weekends they choose something e.g. ice cream, a small chocolate, chocolate milk, small bag of plain chips. Those are about the only "junk" items I will keep in the house. I love that perspective- it's not forbidden, not a subject of guilt- just something to enjoy in moderation.
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Ryan
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Post by Ryan on Apr 28, 2017 13:33:45 GMT -5
My kids are pretty picky eaters, which is not a huge surprise because I'm picky too. I think eating is like sleeping in the sense that sometimes you get lucky or unlucky with kids. My oldest kid was a horrible sleeper and we asked everyone, read books, and got advice from people on how to get them to sleep through the night. Everyone wanted you to think that what they were doing was the reason that their kids slept through the night. Fast forward to our next 2 kids and I realized that they were all full of it. They slept through the night at 5 weeks and we didn't do anything differently.
My oldest kid was terrible with foods. He actually wanted to be cooperative, but he literally would gag if he ate something that he was unsure on. He was very limited when he was younger and he's still picky, but more versatile. His typical daily meal is milk and cheerios in morning, apple for snack, sandwich/yogurt/crackers for lunch, banana for snack, and then dinner. That probably doesn't sound too bad, but he sticks with this on almost everyday. My goal is to keep away from the really bad stuff and make sure they don't go overboard, that'll put them on teh right track.
A lot of people will tell you to just give them what you're making and they will figure it out. I think that works for some kids, not so well with others. Plus, it can be draining on the parents. It's kinda like homework for kids. My oldest son reads, on his own, for over an hour each night and is a stellar student. His younger brother is not that way, so it takes extra work. Sometimes you have the energy to fight your way through all the complaining...sometimes you don't.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Apr 28, 2017 13:44:05 GMT -5
I know with having girls trying ot follow all the advice is frustrating because on the one hand I am being instructed to be stern so she doesn't end up obese later in life but I am not suppose to be TOO pushy or strict because then I am going to cause her to be anorexic. Nobody tells you where this mythical fine line is located. It's made teaching my kids healthy eating habits really confusing.
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quince
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Post by quince on Apr 28, 2017 13:52:34 GMT -5
What, I'm supposed to be ashamed of myself for being fat? Nah. Of course, if you feed your kid nothing but junk food and make them clean their plates and THEN YOU MAKE FUN OF THEM FOR BEING FAT you are pretty much a monster. Not a problem I had, but I know some people who have had that in their lives. As long as you aren't basically torturing your kids, and they aren't running any major nutritional deficits, you're doing it right.
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andi9899
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Post by andi9899 on Apr 28, 2017 13:52:50 GMT -5
Really, at the end of the day you know your kid best. Just do what works for you. I took the "eat what I make or go find the PB&J" approach and my kids live. I don't think they have an unhealthy relationship with food unless you count being bottomless pits. Neither is overweight. I'm not a short order cook, I don't have time for all that.
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andi9899
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Post by andi9899 on Apr 28, 2017 13:55:39 GMT -5
What, I'm supposed to be ashamed of myself for being fat? Nah. Of course, if you feed your kid nothing but junk food and make them clean their plates and THEN YOU MAKE FUN OF THEM FOR BEING FAT you are pretty much a monster. Not a problem I had, but I know some people who have had that in their lives. As long as you aren't basically torturing your kids, and they aren't running any major nutritional deficits, you're doing it right. Does that mean I shouldn't call my kids fatties when they eat a lot of something? If that's true, we're all monsters because we say that to each other all the time.
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quince
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Post by quince on Apr 28, 2017 13:57:51 GMT -5
Your kids are pretty much grownups. I think being able to banter and tease with them is awesome. It sounds like it goes both ways and that is a fantastic level of comfort with each other I hope I have with my boys when they are grown.
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andi9899
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Post by andi9899 on Apr 28, 2017 14:10:10 GMT -5
I refer to myself as fat all the time. I'm not really fat. I could lose a few more pounds, but I digress. Usually when I get extra something. I'll say things like "I'm getting extra _____. You know, because I'm fat". I don't consider myself fat.
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Apr 28, 2017 14:14:25 GMT -5
I am realizing that most people's children eat healthier than I do
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quince
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Post by quince on Apr 28, 2017 14:16:57 GMT -5
It's easy for children to eat healthy. Most of them can't walk into a store and get a pint of Ben and Jerry's to eat all at once because their dorm freezer isn't cold enough to keep it solid.
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andi9899
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Post by andi9899 on Apr 28, 2017 14:23:25 GMT -5
It's easy for children to eat healthy. Most of them can't walk into a store and get a pint of Ben and Jerry's to eat all at once because their dorm freezer isn't cold enough to keep it solid. That's just being economical. That ice cream going to waste would be very unYM of you.
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MJ2.0
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Post by MJ2.0 on Apr 28, 2017 14:27:49 GMT -5
because I was off yesterday I made chicken noodle soup from scratch (as per DS's request - his friend had it at school and he wanted it). Surprisingly, he ate it despite it being the first time he had it. Made the stock and everything. Took a total of 4 hours between that, oven roasting the chicken leg, and putting it all together. Soooo not doing that again. At least I was able to pack it for his lunch today.
Right now I have meatballs in pasta sauce in the slow cooker. They are a blend of ground turkey, breakfast sausage pork, and Italian spices. Not really healthy, but soooo soooo good! They'll be served with whole grain penne and green beans. I will definitely enjoy the leftovers in a meatball & mozz sandwich on Sunday.
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MJ2.0
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Post by MJ2.0 on Apr 28, 2017 14:38:01 GMT -5
It's easy for children to eat healthy. Most of them can't walk into a store and get a pint of Ben and Jerry's to eat all at once because their dorm freezer isn't cold enough to keep it solid. college was my first exposure to Celeste pizzas.... blech. But, you know, independence!
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Apr 28, 2017 14:49:23 GMT -5
I need to learn to cook more stuff, the caveat being, stuff my kids will eat without complaining. I try these new recipes that DH and I like, only to have refusal or bitching from the kids.
..and tonight is Kraft mac n cheese. This has been an exceptionally terrible week. At least there are no, or very rare: chips/cookies/chicken nuggets. YDS doesn't even like the last one.
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MJ2.0
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Post by MJ2.0 on Apr 28, 2017 15:08:19 GMT -5
I need to learn to cook more stuff, the caveat being, stuff my kids will eat without complaining. I try these new recipes that DH and I like, only to have refusal or bitching from the kids. ..and tonight is Kraft mac n cheese. This has been an exceptionally terrible week. At least there are no, or very rare: chips/cookies/chicken nuggets. YDS doesn't even like the last one.I really think it's up to the child's personality too. There are about 4 vegetables DS will eat: broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, and carrots. Oh, and potatoes in the form of fries, tots, or McCain Smiles. That's more than a lot of kids will willingly eat, so I am not going to push. I will sometimes make myself a vegetable that he hasn't had and I'll ask him if he wants to try it. The answer is usually "no". I have two rules about meal time: 1. You have to have at least one bite of everything - a good bite, not touching it with a taste bud 2. if you want seconds, you have to finish everything on the plate He is pretty good with those rules.
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Apr 28, 2017 15:16:51 GMT -5
There are about 4 vegetables I will eat too: Broccoli Green Beans Spinach Carrots (cooked carrots, not raw)
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Apr 28, 2017 15:19:41 GMT -5
I'm really grateful the kids are good eaters. One doesn't like corn and one doesn't like green beans. Can't remember which one doesn't like which. DS hates tomatoes but likes ketchup and red sauces. DD and DS both are good eaters. It would have never occurred to me that they wouldn't be. Maybe I just never made things they didn't like?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2017 15:34:55 GMT -5
My oldest kid was terrible with foods. He actually wanted to be cooperative, but he literally would gag if he ate something that he was unsure on. This was my oldest too. He had some major texture issues that apparently are just now starting to resolve themselves as a teenager. He would try, but more than once he actually threw up. Seriously, I'm not forcing my kid to eat something that makes him puke. I remember having the same issue with some foods when I was young too, so I totally get how awful it is to be punished for not eating something when you really wish you could.
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Apr 28, 2017 17:28:50 GMT -5
because I was off yesterday I made chicken noodle soup from scratch (as per DS's request - his friend had it at school and he wanted it). Surprisingly, he ate it despite it being the first time he had it. Made the stock and everything. Took a total of 4 hours between that, oven roasting the chicken leg, and putting it all together. Soooo not doing that again. At least I was able to pack it for his lunch today. Right now I have meatballs in pasta sauce in the slow cooker. They are a blend of ground turkey, breakfast sausage pork, and Italian spices. Not really healthy, but soooo soooo good! They'll be served with whole grain penne and green beans. I will definitely enjoy the leftovers in a meatball & mozz sandwich on Sunday. Like I said - overachiever!! BTW, how come you are roasting chicken for chicken soup?
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MJ2.0
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Post by MJ2.0 on Apr 28, 2017 18:08:55 GMT -5
because I was off yesterday I made chicken noodle soup from scratch (as per DS's request - his friend had it at school and he wanted it). Surprisingly, he ate it despite it being the first time he had it. Made the stock and everything. Took a total of 4 hours between that, oven roasting the chicken leg, and putting it all together. Soooo not doing that again. At least I was able to pack it for his lunch today. Right now I have meatballs in pasta sauce in the slow cooker. They are a blend of ground turkey, breakfast sausage pork, and Italian spices. Not really healthy, but soooo soooo good! They'll be served with whole grain penne and green beans. I will definitely enjoy the leftovers in a meatball & mozz sandwich on Sunday. Like I said - overachiever!! BTW, how come you are roasting chicken for chicken soup? I had one leg quarter in the freezer that was already seasoned. I thought about just throwing it in with the stock, but I wasn't sure how it would turn out taste and texture-wise. The last time I made chicken soup I used boneless cuts, so I threw them in with the broth to cook. Since I had never used bone - in chicken for soup, I roasted it to be on the safe side. Lol and I am NOT an overachiever! I will admit that I try to give DS home cooked and well-balanced meals because I don't what X and his family are feeding him. X is working on his dissertation (plus he barely cooks anyway) and his parents aren't exactly health nuts, so I imagine a lot of his meals aren't as good as they should be.
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