Today, I read an article about a mother who was concerned about the snacks provided each afternoon at her daughter's summer camp. Seeing as how fresh fruit or vegetables were not even choices, the mother asked about what could be done to accommodate her daughter. No, her daughter wasn't allergic to the snacks offered. No, she didn't have any dietary restrictions preventing her from eating them. She was just a "healthy eater." The nurse assured the mother she could send whatever snacks she would like her daughter to have to be kept in the nurse's office; then, each afternoon her daughter could come to the nurse's station for her "specialized" snack. The mother was somewhat taken aback -- first, that healthy snacks weren't even an option and second, that her daughter's healthy eating was diagnosed as a "specialized diet."
Unfortunately, healthy eating is not the norm these days.
Sadly, I have personally been given "the look" as I withheld cookies or ice cream or cake or some other dessert from my young children. I have been told, "Let them live a little." Or reminded, "They only live once." Others have suggested, "A little sugar isn't going to hurt them."
And they're right -- a little sugar IS okay. After all, I did just treat my girls to an ice cream shake at Sonic this afternoon.
BUT, the three of us split one shake, and my girls knew this was a special treat. My 3.5 year old can tell you how you shouldn't eat ice cream or cake or cookies every day, that if you do you will get sick. She also knows that we need to eat foods that will keep our bodies strong and healthy. She knows that meat and fish and beans have protein. She realizes that fruits and veggies are not only tasty but also good for us and help us not get sick very often. On her own accord, she will ask to make a smoothie with me, request oatmeal for breakfast, or want carrots and hummus for lunch.
Yes, she also likes to make muffins and cookies and cakes. However, when we bake those things, we talk about how it's a special treat. We use gluten-free flours, applesauce instead of oil, honey instead of sugar, and other such substitutions to make even our treats as healthy as possible.
And I also agree "we only live once" and that we should enjoy the one life we get to the fullest. But that doesn't mean we should stuff our faces with sugar and shrug it off, thinking that a little sugar here and a little processed food there isn't going to hurt us. For starters, we are flat out lying to ourselves. Not to mention that we are slowly killing ourselves, taking years off our lives and preventing us from going and doing lots of fun, enjoyable activities -- hiking, biking, horseback riding, parachuting, para-sailing, zip lining, caving, skiing, and more (as many of these have weight limits or are not possible for those with health issues).
So, yes, I am "that mom." The one whose child has only eaten at McDonald's a handful of times (and not by my choice those few times). The one whose child doesn't know she can get a free cookie every time she goes to Hy-Vee. She sure knows about the free slice of cheese though! I am the mom who scrapes the mounds of icing off the slice of birthday cake my child is given at a party. I am the mom who packs carrots, grapes, pickles, and cheese slices for a picnic lunch. I am the mom who cringes when my child is offered fruit snacks or cheez-its or something of the like.
I am not out to ruin my child's life. My goal is not to deprive her of fun. My intention is not to make her "different" or "special."
Rather, all my "rules" are made in love -- deep deep deep love. A love that longs for my child to be as healthy as possible, to live as long as possible, and to enjoy the years she is given to the absolute fullest. And if that means my daughter can't have ice cream every day or isn't given cheese puffs as a snack choice or drinks water instead of sugary juice, then so be it.
I am not out to offend anyone or step on anyone's toes. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and can choose for themselves how they want to live their lives. I just want everyone to understand WHY I am the way I am, why I strive so hard to teach my children from day one how to eat healthy, how to incorporate exercise into daily life, and how to make good choices in general. I just want everyone to realize WHY I am a "health nut" and why I want my kids to be nutty too.
Health is such a passion of mine, and I could write about this for days. But I think you get the idea...
No comments:
Post a Comment