Kids and Nutrition

Time and time again, I remind people that it is never too early to start a child (once they are able to start eating the foods we eat) on nutritious foods.  Unfortunately, I did not grow up learning about proper nutrition and it was not highly emphasized in my household either, just like I emphasize it in my household now, as a parent.  As soon as my daughter (who is now almost 4-years-old) was able to eat many of the foods my husband and I eat, we started her on vegetables, fruits, all-natural smoothies, grains, Greek yogurt, lean poultry and meats.  As I have said in one of my previous posts that we are our child's first teacher and showing them proper nutrition based on what we consume is what they will pick-up first.  I thought about it after giving birth how I can properly emphasize nutrition with my daughter knowing that I still want her to have fun at birthday parties, camps and friends' houses, etc, where she might not be given the same foods I give her at home.  I began to realize how important it was for me to keep the most nutritious foods at home because of the fact that it is where she will be spending a majority of her time.  Now that she is almost 4-years old and can open cupboards and the refrigerator by herself to pick out something to eat, I have to truly make the best decisions of what I stock it all with. 

I understand it now why many (including their children) have an aversion to vegetables, fruits, plant-based foods and truly-natural foods...it is because it was not something they grew up eating or at least was not emphasized in their household!  It is sad to see these days what households fill their cupboards and refrigerators with.  I understand how harsh this can seem, but it is really what we are used to and what our society is used to.  There are many documentaries out there that talk about the dangers of processed foods and the positive effects of plant foods and all-natural foods!  I am not saying that we have to completely give up having a good burger, pizza or delectable desserts...I am merely saying "make nutrition consistent"; therefore, it will remain consistent in our child's life, too and they will learn the difference and will make better choices with what they eat.  It is so wonderful to see my daughter open up the fridge and opt to eat vegetables, fruit, grains, nuts, etc. because it is all I stock it with!  Of course, if I stocked it with foods with little or no nutritional value and still had the nutritious foods, she will choose the junk...hands down!!  I post this to help spread awareness that it is never too early to educate our children on proper nutrition.

As parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. we always make a conscious effort of keeping potentially harmful substances and poisonous items out of reach from children.  The sad part is there are poisonous ingredients in processed foods that many consume, but do not cause harm until so much of it has been consumed...slow, silent killers is what they are called.  They are just disguised with attractive packaging, amazing aromas and a presented so beautifully on a plate.  Who wants to eat fresh plant-based foods that does not have any added salt or sugar?  We do all we can to take care of and protect our children, so why is it we cannot make a conscious effort to lead them to be more nutrition-conscious?  Of course there is that falsehood that children are young and they should be able to eat junk food and why should we deprive them.  Not all humans are designed equally, some who eat junk food all their lives will not ever show up in their appearance because of how they are built genetically, but there are some that are not so lucky and it starts to alter their appearance at a young age.  As many of us know appearance means a lot to young ones (even though it should not), but given how cruel many of them can be nowadays, having an appearance issue can be detrimental to their social status...sad, but true!

Please educate yourself,