This is when it comes to the food my kids eat on a daily basis. My personal journey with food started over 3 years ago. Changing the way I ate has allowed me to be free of medication, gave me the ability to expand my family and improved so many other aspects of my life. This change in my life has impacted those around me, especially my husband and children. While I experimented with paleo, gluten free and even still consuming little dairy, I never eliminated food groups from their diets. But as the food I brought in the home began to evolve, so did my family’s relationship with food.
Over a year ago, I had a melt down to a good friend because I was extremely disappointed when my then 3 year old came home with the largest tube filled with sugar I had ever seen. My son was angry when I wouldn’t let him eat it because his teacher said it was his. It put me in tough spot. I used it as a teaching moment about sugar and choices. I also expressed my disappointment to the school and their food policy but that didn’t go too far. Even though he had his own special “treats” in the classroom for birthday celebrations, he was still given candy 
frequently and the final moment that pushed me over the edge was when he was offered soda at a Halloween party. Why was that even necessary at a preschool party? He declined it but at that moment I realized that my view on food was very different and we changed schools. It was a great change for us but over the past year I have learned quickly that he needed some more freedom. His life wasn’t just about food.
My husband and I decided to teach our children about making healthy choices. Our eating philosophy is about real foods, limiting sugar, eating organic/pasture raised and focusing on the quality of our foods.
Here are some healthy things we do as a family.
- We participate in school events. If a sweet is available for a treat, my son has learned to make his own decisions. He has actually turned a cupcake down (shocking, I know!) He also has consumed too much sugar and found himself with an upset stomach. He now understands that it is about his choices and he can control it.
- We celebrate holidays. Our son really wanted to go trick or treating this year. He went and loved every minute of it. He got to pick 5 things to keep from his basket and then the Switch Witch came and brought a small toy in exchange for his remaining candy. The Easter Bunny doesn’t focus on candy but did bring our son some jelly beans last year. Our kids eat very little candy but if they do, we focus on brands that don’t use artificial colors or flavors.
- We don’t drink soda and actually drink very little fruit juice. This one might seem to be the most controlling but my children have no interest in soda, so why introduce them to it. Juice in our home is usually in the form of a green smoothie so we get the fiber from any fruit we add.
- We let them pick out a meal for the week or an item for the family at the grocery store. This is actually a way that we get our 5 year old to try new things, especially vegetables. He doesn’t always love them but he is pretty good about trying.
- We try to teach our children about what is in food and where is comes from. We regularly go to the farm, shop our local farmers markets, last year we started our own garden and we talk about how food can make us feel.
- We do very little fast food (we do stop at places like Panera, Chipotle, Blue Lemon if needed). We talk about it openly with our son about why we don’t go to certain restaurants. I am sure one day he will try them but we have no need to go today.
- We cook and eat as a family. We feel it is important to slow down and talk to each other. Also, in our home, if they are involved they will more willing to eat it.
- We realize that as parents we are setting the example. Our kiddos are watching us closely. If you eat, why can’t they?
These are things we do as a family. What about your family, what has worked for you?
