Comments on I Know Why the Kids Are Fat!

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What a Horrible Mother!

On the advice of several nutritionists, I kept my daughter away from sugar for the first 2 years of her life. For 2 years, I received criticism from friends, family, and complete strangers who said that treats are just a part of being a kid. I held my ground, and it paid off. Now, if I put a cookie and a bowl of fresh fruit or carrot sticks in front of her, she will go for the fruits and vegetables every time. I'm so glad that I stuck to my guns, but it was SO hard. People made me feel like I was a horrible Mother, and acted as though I was depriving my daughter of something as necessary as food and water.

I have to agree with the importance of between meal snacks though. I know that if my little one doesn't have a nutritious snack between meals, she becomes very emotional and cranky as her blood sugar level drops.

posted by Freedom on February 9, 2003 at 11:03 AM | link to this | reply

Nintendo, PlayStation, Digimon

If my kid had to wait until he finished a meal to ever get candy, I would never have to buy Halloween candy again.

I have to disagree with your analysis.  True, kids get a lot of sweets given to them, but I tend the think the problem stems from lack of activity more than diet problems.  As a child, we always had a bowl of ice cream before bed, and halloween candy was left to eat at our discretion.  Of five brothers and sisters, umpteen cousins, none of us were fat and few turned into fat adults.  But, then again, we played in the yard, had chores, road bikes, etc.  Todays kids play video games, and where we were limited to early morning cartoons or Saturdays, they can watch cartoons non-stop.

I also have to disagree with the no snack policy.  I have read nutritional guidelines stating children need a mid-afternoon snack.  Even adults, dieting or otherwise, tend to be less energetic between noon and 6 p.m. and should have a small, nutritious snack.  Some diets even call for six or more small meals throughout the day rather than three large ones as it keeps the metabolism rate higher. 

Just another opinion.  In the grand scheme of things, we are probably both right by degrees.

posted by Whim on February 9, 2003 at 3:21 AM | link to this | reply