Parents let their kids eat trash?

eblakes93

I kept my daughter eating clean at home, with restaurant food usually being pizza or grilled cheese on whole wheat.

Once she started school, however, the teachers started feeding the children pure junk. Math was taught with M&Ms and Froot Loops. Hard candy was slipped to them during tests. My girl has ADHD and I was desperately trying to keep the poisons out of her mouth to help manage the symptoms. I offered to buy health food Froot Loop analogs without all the artifical stuff, but they refused.

What happened? They continued to give her junk food but told her not to tell her parents. Then they reported me to Child Protective Services. True story.

That is nuts. While some schools are banning bake sales, others schools are handing out crap. And while all that is happening, our kids are being served processed junk in the cafeteria.

calibriintx

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pixtotts

You cant judge people on what they eat out... This week I had spaghetti and meatballs, an ice cream, and a mcdonalds chicken mayo... What you didnt see is that the day I had meatballs and ice cream I had salad for lunch to balance it out... and the day I had mcdonalds it was kind of the only thing i ate :S but that was an accident too much driving and busyness


However I would say that a child learns from their parents...fussy eater parents = fussy eating children... and a parent that gives in to their childs "fussy eating" is one who just isn't doing themselves any favours in fact I'd say they are a little bit stupid because they will turn into my mum she cooks at least 2 (sometimes 4!) different meals every night because none of us (mum, dad, me or my sister) eat the same stuff ... the few things that my dad, sister and I eat my mum doesn't like...
So don't let your children be fussy unless you LOVE cooking loads of different things at the same time....
x

calibriintx

So much judgement in one little thread. Whatever happened to minding your own business? I say this generally, not just to the OP. And feeding my kids pizza is child abuse? M'kay.


My kids aren't allowed to go over 1200 calories and I don't let them eat their baseball/trampoline/bikeriding/etc calories back.

Brilliant
:laugh:

BoomstickChick

I let my kids eat "trash" foods often because I'd rather that than they go hungry. A kid can only take so much fruit/veggies. I let them have the occasional pizza rolls or chicken nuggets. I also eat gluten-free and won't take that out of their diets just because I have for me. I'm doing it for health reasons and I don't want them having issues due to my cutting it out for no reason for them.

I have my kids eat healthier than I did when I was a kid because I feel I was given an unfair disadvantage. I don't want that for them, but kids deserve to be kids and have sugary and fatty snacks too. Moderation.

1113cw

I don't have kids, but I can't imagine kids are all that complaint with healthy eating. I'd definitely mind your own business on this one.

Agreed with this poster.. you have NO IDEA how hard it can be to get a picky child to eat ANYTHING.. and anyone that has anything to say about what I let my child eat can stick it.

SoDamnHungry

Have you seen the children's menu at restaurants? It's always hot dogs, fries, mac 'n' cheese, grilled cheese, chicken nuggets, and maybe some other pasta dish.

Edit: Typo!

culpjm90

I can understand where the op is coming from....I don't have kids myself so please don't jump down my throat. But when you see an overweight child eating McDonalds it does make you think why are the parents not trying to better their childs life and teach them about nutrition. My entire family is over weight and my mom says all the time that not teaching us proper nutrition is her greatest regret as far as parenting. I am the youngest of 3 kids I am still over weight and the rest of my family is obese. My oldest brother who is 28 wont touch a vegetable not one and yes I do believe it would be different if we were raised a little bit differently. We grew up on mac n cheese, hotdogs, pizza, pasta, big breakfast with biscuits and gravy, bacon, fried eggs and now we are all overweight so ya I think it has something to do with it.

DragonSquatter

The fact that people feel that it's okay to call other people bad or lazy parents because they allow their kids to have ice cream or chicken nuggets occasionally just astounds me. I wouldn't call someone a bad parent for never allowing their children those things, that is their personal choice. So many judgemental people who feel that their way is the only right way.

I've found that when it comes to kids, EVERYONE has an opinion and a judgment to make about parents, especially people who don't even have children.

k8blujay2

Oh... I was hoping to see parents letting their kids eat actual trash.

Now I'm disappointed.

^^^^ YES! Thanks! I'm at work and can't post awesome gifs!:flowerforyou:

OfficiallySexyVal

I will admit that if I have to grab something on the go, My son loves chicken nuggest and french fries. However, when we go to a sit down restaraunt his go to side is always broccoli! Sometimes that is all he will eat is the brocolli instead of the entree.

I have tried to do right by my son and now he loves veggies and chicken, but unfortunately there are times when you just have to give in to the fast food just to keep the peace or to make your life easier. I think as a treat it isn't bad, but it changes when you start caving in to the fast food demon often!

BoomstickChick

However I would say that a child learns from their parents...fussy eater parents = fussy eating children... and a parent that gives in to their childs "fussy eating" is one who just isn't doing themselves any favours in fact I'd say they are a little bit stupid because they will turn into my mum she cooks at least 2 (sometimes 4!) different meals

I don't agree with that at all. My oldest is super fussy and definitely didn't get that from either me or my husband. It's just how she is. She's super picky. As long as she tries things at least twice, I don't give her a hard time about it. I will not stand there and make her eat something I Know she doesn't like. I also make ONE (lately two because of myself going gluten free) meal for my family. Don't like it? Don't eat it. I won't make things I know my kids don't like though, that's not stupid, that's just being a good parent, IMO.

stratusphr

Kids do need some fat, I think 2% milk trumps fried chicken nuggets at McDonald's......my grandson's pediatrician did tell my daughter, nobody over the age of 2 needs whole milk. They go between 2% and skim for him, but they always drink skim and she cooks with skim! He is a healthy eater, weird things that others his age might not like....tomatoes, cucumbers, raw broccoli, cottage cheese (1%). He loves fruit but is picky about some things, although, for a four year old, it is amazing we can get him to just 'try' something.

I know for sure that our "grand" eats much better than I did as a child. Back then was there anything besides full fat milk, cottage cheese, American cheese??? We had Twinkies and Ding Dongs in our lunch box and Mom was always frying something, whether it be steak, chicken or pork chops, then of course we had mashed potatoes on the side with home made cream gravy. I for one, haven't fried anything in my house in over 20 years!!!! I 'oven' fry chicken occasionally and gravy is when I bake chicken or pork chops in 98% fat free cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup!!!! Food is just as good as Mama made, but much healthier. I have a french fry cutter and our 'fries' are seasoned and baked. I don't even buy the store bought ones to bake like I was doing six or seven years ago. Things have sure changed!!!

I think kids will eat healthier and more variety if it's offered from the time they are eating with their fingers in a high chair. Why would we and why DID we give cokes to little ones. When I was in HS and worked at a theater, we filled baby bottles for FREE with soft drinks!!!! Yikes! Our youngest grandchild has NEVER had a sip of one and he'll be five before long. I know it will happen, but as of right now, it has not! Yay for them!!!

At a certain age, you really have NO control, or not much, concerning what they eat, but YOU DO HAVE CONTROL over what is brought into your house and kept in the refrigerator and pantry. If it isn't there, they can't eat it, and for the formative years, you DO have a say in what they eat and don't eat. Take full advantage of it is what I recommend.

highervibes

My kids eat healthy home prepared meals most of the time but when we go to a restaurant we usually get chicken fingers and fries or pizza. I wouldn't judge based on restaurant meals. I"m comfortable including junky food into my diet, but I'm not convinced that my kids are ready to moderate their choices. If I put a plate down with grilled cheese and veggie sticks I'm careful to only put SOME of the grilled cheese on it because my son would eat the whole thing and leave the veggies. He would only eat bread and pasta if I let him. Going to bed hungry a few times isn't going to do any damage but letting him starve for protein and micronutrients over the long term due to "picky eating" will. He's a much more reasonable eater now than he was in the past.

PheonixRizing

Between Instagram and people-watching at restaurants, I notice that parents will make healthy decisions for themselves, but order deep-friend/fatty foods for their own kids. Why is that?

Okay I didn't even read all 9 pages of the responses to this and I imagine they are all gonna be varied and some probably very blunt. I myself am not a parent, as in i don't have an offspring that has flung from my ownself yet. However, I am a soon to be step mom and soon to be wife to 2 very picky eaters. My fiance is less picky and will give anything a try at least once, with the exception of root plants, but my step son is not so easy to just persuade, he avoids it and when forced does so begrudgingly. So what I try to do but try is choose the things i know he will eat even though they aren't the healthiest things we don't buy fast food alot, and hide veggies and whatnot in things so he gets some of it. As we get older our taste buds change, I was the same way when I was younger although maybe not as extreme but you put french fries and asparagus in front of me and which do you think I chose at 12? What I'm saying is that its not always clean cut when it comes to kids. You have to keep trying to turn them onto things as they age. Don't stop trying but you can't force them to eat everything you do just because you want them too, lest they starve.

RoninLife

Not gonna lie, I am sooo guilty of this. My son LOVES Pizza and burgers with cheese and bacon, and I don't even eat red meat or pork. So I try to at least compromise and buy high quality meats, bacon without nitrates, cheese with no hormones, etc. And shove a fistful of vitamins in his mouth daily, lol

highmaintnance

I have to agree with the responses regarding restaurant kids menus. Generally, they are all the same - chicken fingers, mac and cheese, hot dog, pasta with butter, or grilled cheese. Luckily my daughter loves broccoli, and you can usually either get it as a side for the kids dishes (instead of fries). If that isn't available, I usually get an adult side of broccoli or other veggie she likes to go with her meal. If a restaurant actually offers a healthy kids choice that she'll eat, then we will get that.

I hate kid's menus at restaurants. Luckily, we don't eat out much so it's a treat but I wish you could take any meal off the adult menu and order it in kid size with a kid price. That would awesome and my daughter can order spaghetti without getting a bowl the size of her head, and a price to match, that she will eat five bites of and be finished.

I also HATE that some waiters and waitresses ask if she wants chocolate milk after I have already specifically said white milk and then after dinner ask if she wants a hot fudge sundae. Well of course she wants chocolate milk and a hot fudge sundae, but unless I order it, don't ask. .

highmaintnance

As for instagram. People take pictures at special events, most of the time. At special events, you usually get special treats, like cake and ice cream. Not too many people take random Tuesday evening dinner pictures at home where little Johnny is eating a turkey burger and lima beans. That's why you see the pictures where little Johnny has ice cream all over his face and a sucker in his hand.

k8blujay2

Honestly, I'm seeing a ton of judgy mcjudgersons around here... My DD eats better than I do the majority of the time... 2 chicken nuggets, 10 fries and 10 apple slices aren't going to make a huge difference in her nutritional make up... this girl eats fruits and veggies like they are going out of style... but how would you know that unless you were a creeper watching me feed my child every meal.

Seriously, MYOB. I don't need you telling me how to feed my child... whether it's breastfeeding in public or give her the occasional happy meal.

SJVZEE

I can only say that when I was a child, if my parents had handed me a Happy Meal toy and a salad, I would have eaten the toy.

lol!

As I'm transitioning to a healthier way of eating I'm starting to implement some new things into my kid's diets. My 5 yr old son shares my green smoothie with me every day. They now eat veggies and fruit instead of chips and crackers for snacks etc. I pack their school lunches and this year their lunches will look a lot different than last year, but I'm making changes that I know they'll be ok with (strawberries instead of cookies etc). My kid's are already healthy and thin so small changes are a good start and we'll see how things go in the future

bcattoes

From this question, I surmise that you do not have children, right?

This makes no sense.

Chellody22

The fact that people feel that it's okay to call other people bad or lazy parents because they allow their kids to have ice cream or chicken nuggets occasionally just astounds me. I wouldn't call someone a bad parent for never allowing their children those things, that is their personal choice. So many judgemental people who feel that their way is the only right way.

I've found that when it comes to kids, EVERYONE has an opinion and a judgment to make about parents, especially people who don't even have children.

It just amazes me the things that people call bad parenting. I believe that there can be more than one right way to do things, not "my way is the only way." Just because you do things differently than someone else, that does not make the other person a bad parent.

VorJoshigan

I will probably never be a parent, but I don't understand the parents who don't say no to their children. I love saying no to people for good reasons! It lets me feel like a villain in a movie without actually being evil.

DragonSquatter

The fact that people feel that it's okay to call other people bad or lazy parents because they allow their kids to have ice cream or chicken nuggets occasionally just astounds me. I wouldn't call someone a bad parent for never allowing their children those things, that is their personal choice. So many judgemental people who feel that their way is the only right way.

I've found that when it comes to kids, EVERYONE has an opinion and a judgment to make about parents, especially people who don't even have children.

It just amazes me the things that people call bad parenting. I believe that there can be more than one right way to do things, not "my way is the only way." Just because you do things differently than someone else, that does not make the other person a bad parent.

I agree, but sadly, people still constantly judge anyway. The best thing to do is to let it roll off your back and do what you and your partner know is best for your family. That's the only way I've learned to deal with it.

mbucchieri

I have kids...do you?? Have you ever brought a small child to a restaurant and tried to keep them occupied long enough so you can enjoy a meal?? My kids eat fruits and yogurt , they have there core veggies that they enjoy eating, but at them same time, there still kids, and I would never say no you can't have a chicken nugget because it's " unhealthy".. I just don't let them eat that way daily, and I make sure they are outside and active. Theres nothing wrong with letting your kids eat "unhealthy" foods , as long as it's not the norm. I really believe that not demonizing "unhealthy" food and even not veiwing food as the enemy is part of developing a healthy relationship with food. Everything in moderation creates lasting life changes in place of the dieting train wreck.

Orfygirl

Because they haven't classified letting your child get obese child abuse.

Actually in my state they have. If it is reported that a child has gained too much weight in a too short amount of time, then the state will get involved in the same way they would if the child was being abused and/ or neglected.

seltzermint555

I have two kids, one six year old boy and one two year old boy. When we go out to eat the six year old is allowed to order what he wants. It's normally Mac' cheese or corndogs or some other disgusting food. That he doesn't get at home. He enjoys it and it allows us to eat a meal out without fighting with him over the menu. We order a fruit plate for the two year old and cut off bits of ours or order him chicken fingers depending on where we are. Snacks at our house include string cheese, fruit, veggies with PB, and roasted flavored almonds. Dinner is what we eat or they don't eat. Now if you only saw our kids eat in public you would think that they only eat crap, but since we only eat out once or twice a month..... But a stranger can judge me all they want, I only listen to my family and my kids pediatrician. Oh and they're both little string beans as far as weight goes.

This sounds completely sensible and reasonable to me! Yay for you :-)

I have a few friends who seem to not make the connection that a 9 year old eating a steady diet of cotton candy and chicken nuggets with ketchup could possibly not be as healthy as their milk drinking, veggie eating peers...and could have a difficult time later on in life adopting better eating habits.

I don't say this to be judgmental as I am not a parent, and this is none of my business really. But I know growing up my parents despite their best intentions catered too much to my childish tastes. We had dessert after lunch and dinner. Lots of diet soda and New York Seltzer. The only veggies I was expected to eat were canned corn, peas, or green beans. White bread bologna & American cheese sandwiches were a huge staple of my diet along with Deep Pan Pizza Hut pizza. I was about 24 before I started to eat salad or branch out diet wise.

I think it's good to at least introduce kids to healthy food! If your child doesn't like tomatoes or onions (for example), see how they feel about broccoli, artichokes, or asparagus. Trial and error. They're kids and probably have not tried every single veggie to see whether or not they like it! I think people are too quick to write off every food as something their child wouldn't like. My friend's 7 yr old loves quinoa, tilapia, steak, shrimp, broccoli and zucchini. He's a pretty typical kid who would prefer cake and ice cream or chicken strips. And yes he eats that too, but not regularly.

SJVZEE

I kept my daughter eating clean at home, with restaurant food usually being pizza or grilled cheese on whole wheat.

Once she started school, however, the teachers started feeding the children pure junk. Math was taught with M&Ms and Froot Loops. Hard candy was slipped to them during tests. My girl has ADHD and I was desperately trying to keep the poisons out of her mouth to help manage the symptoms. I offered to buy health food Froot Loop analogs without all the artifical stuff, but they refused.

What happened? They continued to give her junk food but told her not to tell her parents. Then they reported me to Child Protective Services. True story.

Different districts have different policies-my kid's go to a public school and food they deem as 'junk' food are not allowed into the classrooms. The younger grades bring in daily snacks and if it's not a healthy choice then it's sent home. They send a list home at the beginning of the year with suggestions and they include fresh veggies and fruit, yogurt, cheese sticks etc. Birthday treats also have to be healthy-no cupcakes etc. Their cafeteria menu is decent too-baked, whole grains items with minimal junk. But, we have very involved parents who fought for the changes.

sunnyskys2013

I must admit it makes me sick when i see at 2 3 4 year olds walk out of a gas station with a candy bar and a bottle of soda:noway: But for the most part there is nothing i can do about the choices other people make for their kids. As far my kids they eat only healthy food at home, but maybe once a month we stop at Windy's and get them fry's as a treat.

DawnieB1977

I don't think you can judge a child's eating habits by what they eat in a restaurant. I'd say the same for some adults too! I have 2 young kids so we don't eat out a lot, so when we do and if my kids ate chips (fries) then that wouldn't be what they eat every day!

To be honest, if we do eat out, my husband and I just tend to get extra plates and share our meals. If I take my kids to soft play the 3 of us share a jacket potato and tuna for lunch. My two don't eat all that much so I wouldn't buy a child's meal anyway as they wouldn't eat it all.

We have a lovely local café that does healthy things for kids, like a platter with grapes, carrots, cheese, hummus, pitta etc.

I have never taken my kids to McDonald's, KFC, Burger King etc because I never eat at those places. We go to Costa or Caffe Nero (UK versions of Starbucks). My son (4 years old) has a thing about getting a smoothie there, or a babyccino, and they share some wafers.

We live by the sea and my husband occasionally gets fish 'n' chips for the kids, although usually if we have chips my husband makes them himself.

I don't see anything wrong with allowing children an occasional treat. My 2 have a little ice cream cone sometimes when we're on the seafront. They don't usually finish it, and they're so active I don't see how it will do them any harm. It's all part of a balanced diet.