Imagine your life with a dietitian in the house. How would you choose to eat? Would you be more mindful? Truth be told, my family has little choice in the matter…for now. My children are ages 7 and 9. This gives me the control provide the groceries, meals and snacks. My husband, age 40 has resigned to the fact that I am always right. He just asked me if this was a fiction novel.
What does our household nutrition look like on a day to day basis? I shoot for balance. If you saw my grocery list you will notice I like a variety of foods. Most of the groceries on the list my kids and husband will eat and some of it they will not. Yes, there are things missing on my grocery list that I buy for them. Toaster waffles, Trix and Cinnamon Toast Crunch do exist in my home. Hopefully I am not losing readers by admitting this. I want to keep it real with you. I do not buy all organic, nor do I cook every meal from scratch. I do however go into every meal and snack with balance in mind.
What constitutes balance? When in doubt refer to the USDA Daily Plate www.choosemyplate.gov. You want to focus on as many food groups as possible to control blood sugar and provide maximum nutrients. You also know your family best, so take into consideration likes and dislikes. If you are going to take the time to make it, you want them to eat it.
Breakfast for my children may include the “sugar cereal” but is served with a side of eggs or a yogurt. They also get a multivitamin, a chewable omega-3 (fish oil) and a chewable supplement with zinc, vitamins D and C. To drink they choose apple juice, again, I control the amount. This will hold them over until lunch. And the day goes on…
So how do I know my kids will continue to make healthy choices as they grow old enough to purchase their own food and make decisions? I do not know that for certain. The days they do not want to take the vitamins or are wondering why they do not have chips in their lunch we discuss why. I try my best to explain, teach and mentor what good nutrition is so that they can use logic and common sense in the future. I expose them to all foods, ask them to try it and let them decide.
I am not afraid to talk about the value of good nutrition and encourage new foods. If you feel you lack the knowledge, you need to invest in learning more. There is an amazing amount of information out there. Not all of it credible unfortunately. If it sounds too good to be true is probably is. The American Dietetic Association website is a great place to begin. Great advice from nutrition experts is available at www.eatright.org, including a good nutrition reading list.
Imagine there is a dietitian in your house. She is looking out for you. She is not judging you and she is cheering you on.
If you are looking for basic meal and snack ideas and want to know more about my nutrition philosophy feel free to visit my page on Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/lizblom.nutritionandwellness
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