Children curiosity, future eating disorders?

This is a very touchy subject. The way I have chosen to handle it is to not discuss it in front of my children at all, I have two daughters ages 4 and 5. I think the best thing to do is set a good example by eating healthy and do your best to limit discussions about calories or not being able to eat things around them.

Clearly, you are doing what is best for yourself and your family by choosing to live a healthier lifestyle and that is a fantastic thing to model for your daughter. I think you should let your actions speak for themselves (healthy food choices, exercise) and do your best to not discuss the details in front of her.

Good luck!

I think the most important thing is rather than talking about size, being smaller, etc. it is best to talk about eating what is healthiest. We need nutrients, fiber and water in order to maintain health.

I spent a few years as an anorexic, and I can honestly say it was NOT due to my mom talking about calories and her weight, though she did discuss it openly with friends. You haven't done anything wrong. I was always a very thin child and my parents thought it was funny to tell me how big my butt was, etc., so by the time I was 12 I *knew* that if I looked fat while I was underweight, I would REALLY look awful if I let myself get to a normal, healthy weight, therefore I didn't let that happen. It didn't take long to go from that to actively losing weight that I didn't have to lose - and still looking in the mirror and thinking I saw fat. Having a doctor tell me I needed to gain sent me into a panic and I lost more weight.....and my parents continued to say I was fat. You are not doing that. You are aware that what you say has an affect on her and you are looking for better ways to communicate what you want her to learn - good job, Mom!!!!!

Hi there-I grew up in a house where my mom was very overweight and always on a diet. It was horrible. When I reached around 12 my mom would want me to diet with her, which, being a bigger girl, I did. By the time I was in 9th grade I had an eating disorder. Fortunately, I recovered on my own, though the problems surrounding it took until I was in my 20's. I do keep track of my weight, but I never mention weight or calories around my daughter (7.5). We talk about healthy foods and staying active. We also have treats on occasion and I always try to participate to show that sweets, etc can be part of a healthy life. Please, please, please keep a positive and healthy attitude toward food with your daughter. I remember how my mom always talked bad about herself and the effect that had on my sister and I. I was deathly afraid of being fat like her and without a good female role model for body and self-image I often thought very negative about myself. I hope this helps. I can't tell you how important your attitude is in your daughter developing a healthy body image!! Good luck in creating a healthy lifestyle for your whole family!!

Well the way I handle it is this , my kids are older 16,13,8 first of all the one I was concerned with is my 16 yr old she is 5'0 and weighs about 120 lbs some say ok thats kindof heavy for her height but she as a size D chest that at one time was a DDD like me. She cut out junk and started eating healthy cause it was all I was buying. She does eat junk when shes out with friends but knows what she needs to do to be healthy but still be a kid. I have told my other two that are boys my oldest son is 13 just a little over 4' and is lucky to be hitting the scale at 60 lbs and the 8 yr old is only a head shorter than his brother and is about 45 lbs. Luckily for me they like pretty much anything I eat in the house and between them and my boyfriend they actually go , " Im not gonna eat this (insert junk food here) Cause its not fair to you. So they are old enough to know that they dont have to do what I do and I make sure they have snacks they like that arent exactly bad but not great either. I think if they were younger and asked that question I would say , "honey you have just what you need on your plate but if you get full before its gone then just stop eating". I also fix my boys plates for dinner and I put maybe a half of a svg on it that way I can say try to finish if you can or eat this and If you want more we will see. That way im not going force food down their throat. I also with my 13 yr old have to let him eat when ever he will cause for some reason he eats more over all if I dont force it . Mainly we all graze around here , good luck with your weight loss and finding a way to explain everything to your daughter. I can also say be honest with her sit her down and explaing why you are worried abt calories , if shes asking shes ready to know the truth just in an age approiate manner . Just my 2 cents

I agree with many of the posts above. I don't currently have children at an age to ask those kind of questions, but I'm aware that my granddaughter will be around and she's growing fast & may ask questions. I want her to see healthy choices being made & hear positive "food talk". Sometimes I feel negative if I talk about not having enough cals for this or that. Instead I try to say things like "I can eat this (whatever food, example: apple) it's a better choice for me right now".
I think you need to find a better way to talk about your healthy living style around your kids. It may do you some good to think of it in other terms, too.
Also I really like what some people said about positive body image reinforcement, let your kids know they are healthy and just right where they are, & that you love them just the way they are.

Good luck!