Kids and calorie counting

I almost posted the same thing because of that thread. I had an eating disorder that began in my head around 7 years old, physically manifested around 11 years old, and continued until I was pregnant at 25.

I began therapy when I was pregnant because I was terrified that I would pass on these issues to my daughter (who is now 7 years old). I do weigh my foods, and I've explained to her how to read nutrition labels, the importance of eating a variety of vegetables and getting enough protein, portion sizes, occasional treats vs. everyday foods, etc. She's seen me use the food scale and really just thinks it's a nifty tool...for the time being.

I think I focus a lot on health instead of weight, and I never let her see me weigh myself. The issues never really went away for me, but they became less important as time went on, and continued more self-work.

I really don't know if I'm projecting issues on her or not. I'm praying that it's the latter, but in the end, I don't think it would be the food scale itself that would do it. After all, kids see their parents bake and don't really think twice about measuring cups of flour.

My family growing up was the typical on-the-go, fast food eating, meals from a box, very little fresh foods family. My mom was always on some diet, yo-yoing in weight, always concerned what others thought of her, etc...My dad was/is heavily addicted to sugar and caffeine. He'd eat a whole box of little debbie snacks in one evening. I vowed from a very young age to not be that way and to make everything from scratch for my family and teach my monsters, er kids, how to live healthy, be happy, and confident.

My kids, ages 3 and 5, help me prep food for our meals (no knives for them, except butter knives), including weighing out food if needed and limited cooking (mainly placing stuff in dishes and putting in cold oven...but they feel like they're cooking hehe). I'm a firm believer in teaching our kids to be healthy from a young age. We are a grain free, mostly dairy free, non-gmo, anti-processed foods family. Before my entire family joined this lifestyle, I was the first to give it a go and didn't hide my meals, prepping or scales from them. My husband would poke fun at me a little for weighing and eating "gross green foods", my oldest would join in on the banter from time to time, but it didn't deter me from continuing on. I made the process fun for my kids and they were the first to join me, then my hubby started seeing my results (weightloss and a couple illnesses healing) and he decided to join in with us. We've never felt better. Be a shining example for those you love and they will eventually ask you questions and possibly follow

gash14 wrote: »

My family growing up was the typical on-the-go, fast food eating, meals from a box, very little fresh foods family. My mom was always on some diet, yo-yoing in weight, always concerned what others thought of her, etc...My dad was/is heavily addicted to sugar and caffeine. He'd eat a whole box of little debbie snacks in one evening. I vowed from a very young age to not be that way and to make everything from scratch for my family and teach my monsters, er kids, how to live healthy, be happy, and confident.

My kids, ages 3 and 5, help me prep food for our meals (no knives for them, except butter knives), including weighing out food if needed and limited cooking (mainly placing stuff in dishes and putting in cold oven...but they feel like they're cooking hehe). I'm a firm believer in teaching our kids to be healthy from a young age. We are a grain free, mostly dairy free, non-gmo, anti-processed foods family. Before my entire family joined this lifestyle, I was the first to give it a go and didn't hide my meals, prepping or scales from them. My husband would poke fun at me a little for weighing and eating "gross green foods", my oldest would join in on the banter from time to time, but it didn't deter me from continuing on. I made the process fun for my kids and they were the first to join me, then my hubby started seeing my results (weightloss and a couple illnesses healing) and he decided to join in with us. We've never felt better. Be a shining example for those you love and they will eventually ask you questions and possibly follow

That was very insightful of you, though! I think some kids who grow up this way do not think there is anything wrong with it. You sound like you are doing the right thing with your family. Good job!

I agree with what the first 2 responders to this thread said, as well. I think teaching kids about measuring food, reading labels, nutrition, etc. does not in itself set them up for eating disorders or a bad relationship with food. I think it is more about our attitudes towards weight and appearance OUTSIDE of the kitchen. Teaching food facts is just that: facts; no emotions attached.

I grew up with a mum who cooked everything from scratch, we always had wholemeal bread, skim milk etc. I didn't try a take-away until I was in my 2nd year of university. I'm 37 now and have been to a fast food place like McDonald's, KFC etc maybe 15 times in my entire life.

Unfortunately I was overweight as teenager and lost it all at university. I'm not sure why I was overweight as I don't remember eating much. I can remember calorie counting at about fourteen and not eating much at all, and I was pretty active, walking the mile to and from school, playing badminton, cycling at the weekend etc.

I have 3 children now, they're nearly 6, nearly 4 and nearly 1 (ok, not great planning having 2 May babies and a June baby) and the older 2 ad aware of what's healthy and what isn't. My eldest talked about healthy eating at school last year, and ever since then he's talked about it and taken interest, so then my middle one has too. I wouldn't talk about calories with them and they have no idea that I count calories or weigh food.

They eat the same meals we eat. Their favourite meals are fish or chicken and veg, or jacket potato and tuna. My 3 year old snacks on apples with peanut butter, and she will try anything. We do allow them treats of course, and they know treats are fine occasionally.

We're also very active. We live by the sea, so the seafront is the perfect place to go on their scooters. They can easily walk/scoot 5 miles, and they don't complain.

My dad is overweight (well, obese) and they're very aware of grandad having a big tummy. My 3 year old said she's going to tell grandad to do some exercise.

I think the best way is to lead by example and hope it sticks with them. I know mine are still young so not as influenced by their friends yet, and we don't really watch TV (just YouTube, Netflix) so they're not subjected to advertising, so luckily have no idea that McDonald's and similar exist.

I didn't make a big deal of my weight loss journey but my husband keeps using the word 'diet'. After contemplating beating him about the head, I explained to my 8 yo daughter that it's not about a 'diet', it's about making better choices in my foods for health as I needed to make sure that I would be around for them for a long time (which I'm sure she'll appreciate for approximately 3 more years.) I didn't like how I felt before and now I feel better and am healthier. She accepts that and has gradually been trying more of the foods I make. It's about setting a good example and teaching by doing.

Now I've got my husband just about there to watching his weight - his clothes are starting to feel tight. I just rub my hands together in evil glee that I've almost got him hooked.

A scale is a tool, just like a knife or a food processor. My daughter has seen me use the scale to make soap, to make bread, to make cheese, to serve food, to measure brine ingredients for sausage.

She has also seen both myself and my husband exercise daily, and take the dogs for walks so that they can get exercise too.

She has concerns about fat, but it's mostly that we (and Grandma) have multiple dogs and they sometimes eat each other's food, or don't go on enough walks when they're elderly.

Theses are just facts she's memorized like the names of the planets and all the dinosaurs. Eat good food, exercise, if something is going wrong, check your math and estimates and make some changes.

My kids are 7, I weigh my food but I don't typically talk about weight or calories around them. We do talk about what's healthy and what's unhealthy to eat too much of though (I always say that nothing is unhealthy if you only have a bit of it).

Lexicpt wrote: »

I've had food issues since I was a small child. I was diagnosed with ED-NOS (now OSFED) when I was 14 years old. My biggest fear is that my 4 year old daughter will turn out like me. I refuse to talk about weight, weight loss or calories around her. I enrolled her in soccer and she loves it. She's an active little lady and I want exercise to be a form of fun for her. I don't weigh myself while she is around. I cook healthy meals and stress the importance of eating a wide variety of foods. Treats are limited to once or twice a week. I don't force her to clean her plate. I tell her to eat until she is satisfied. I'm trying to do everything that my mom didn't do with me. I love my mom to death, but I come from a family of unhealthy foodies with no self-control.

Yes! Satisfied; NOT full. This is a key point.