Once I started feeling so amazing on the Paleo Diet, I knew I needed to get the kids eating healthier. I wasn't very worried about Ivy and Delia- they are both GREAT eaters. I was super concerned about Hyrum though.
Pre-Paleo his diet consisted of cereal, bread, crackers, pizza, and chicken nuggets. I knew this wasn't healthy food, but I had this irrational fear of letting my child starve to death so I let him limp along nutritionally.
It took him a few weeks of near starvation, but every week since we've started the diet he's added at least one new food (this is a MIRACLE for anyone who knows how picky and stubborn Hyrum has always been concerning everything he puts in his mouth). So far he's added: beef patties, turkey patties, oranges, bananas, carrots, sweet potatoes, apples, almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, eggs, and pineapple. His palate is maturing and his attitude toward food and trying new cuisine is becoming so much more positive. It's very, very exciting!
We try to stay positive about food at meal times to create a happy atmosphere. If the kids don't want something on their plate we ask them not to voice their complaints, just don't eat it. If they would like second helpings of a particular item, they have to at least TRY everything on their plate. We've chosen not to make mealtimes a battle anymore (that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of tears and plenty of chaos though). It's a long process, just like anything that's really important in life.
The only guilty situations with this crazy eating plan are when we're out in the world or if the kids have friends over. Hyrum will come home from school and say, "Violet had a lunchables today" or "Dylan gets pop in his lunch" with such envy and frustration. It's really hard to compete with junk food! It's sad for me- not being the "fun mommy" of the neighborhood with never-ending sweets in all the drawers and cupboards.
The first thing Ivy asks when we visit someone's house is, "Do you have any food?" I know she's attempting to break as many dietary rules as possible before she has to come back to her own strict house.
I REALLY don't want my little ones to be the crazy, sugar deprived kids of the neighborhood who roam from house to house consuming as much food as they can before they are forced to come home. I want them to be proud to give their body healthy nutrients and understand how much stronger they can be because of it...
we've still got a long way to go...
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| DD is a bottomless pit when it comes to food. She eats (almost) everything with delight. (Her tray has strawberries, scrambled eggs and sausage) |
Pre-Paleo his diet consisted of cereal, bread, crackers, pizza, and chicken nuggets. I knew this wasn't healthy food, but I had this irrational fear of letting my child starve to death so I let him limp along nutritionally.
It took him a few weeks of near starvation, but every week since we've started the diet he's added at least one new food (this is a MIRACLE for anyone who knows how picky and stubborn Hyrum has always been concerning everything he puts in his mouth). So far he's added: beef patties, turkey patties, oranges, bananas, carrots, sweet potatoes, apples, almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, eggs, and pineapple. His palate is maturing and his attitude toward food and trying new cuisine is becoming so much more positive. It's very, very exciting!
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| Hyrum's super excited because his FAVORITE food is burgers. He also has sweet potato chips, strawberries, lettuce, and carrots on his plate- and no, bottled mustard is NOT paleo:) |
We try to stay positive about food at meal times to create a happy atmosphere. If the kids don't want something on their plate we ask them not to voice their complaints, just don't eat it. If they would like second helpings of a particular item, they have to at least TRY everything on their plate. We've chosen not to make mealtimes a battle anymore (that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of tears and plenty of chaos though). It's a long process, just like anything that's really important in life.
The only guilty situations with this crazy eating plan are when we're out in the world or if the kids have friends over. Hyrum will come home from school and say, "Violet had a lunchables today" or "Dylan gets pop in his lunch" with such envy and frustration. It's really hard to compete with junk food! It's sad for me- not being the "fun mommy" of the neighborhood with never-ending sweets in all the drawers and cupboards.
The first thing Ivy asks when we visit someone's house is, "Do you have any food?" I know she's attempting to break as many dietary rules as possible before she has to come back to her own strict house.
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| Ivy is THRIVING at mealtimes. It hasn't been very difficult for her since she's always been the odd-one-out because of her allergies. Now we eat one meal and I don't have to make something different for everyone! (The delectable drink in Ivy's green cup is called a "green smoothie"- I know it looks gross, but it's yummy.) |
I REALLY don't want my little ones to be the crazy, sugar deprived kids of the neighborhood who roam from house to house consuming as much food as they can before they are forced to come home. I want them to be proud to give their body healthy nutrients and understand how much stronger they can be because of it...
we've still got a long way to go...
1 comment:
Lots of love and lots and lots of tofu.
I have one question. So guess.
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