Early Lessons for a Lifetime of Holiday Eating
The rules at grandma's are different. And that's okay. It's the Holiday's!
It’s hard to think of the holidays as a time to teach your kids to eat right, but that depends entirely on what your definition of eating right is.
If you’re a normal parent, the kind whose goal is to keep a lid on the sweets and treats, the kind who makes it her mission to sneak as much healthy stuff as possible into her kids before they move on to the main course (cake, cookies, pie and ice cream), then you’re in for a struggle this holiday season.
On the other hand, if like me, your goal is to teach your kids things like how to get through Thanksgiving without throwing up, your task is a lot simpler. And the lessons learned will be a lot more effective.
Don’t pit healthy foods against the junk; it’s a battle that can’t be won. And don’t antagonize Grandma. That’s also a battle that can’t be won.
Besides, aren’t the holidays really about the treats, the indulgences, and a relaxation of the rules? Being bombarded by delicacies, some of which—pumpkin pie, pecan pie, Christmas cookies, candy canes and maybe even Grandma— might only make an appearance during this time of year?
I’m not saying it isn’t hard (OK, excruciating) to sit by silently as Grandma gives Junior yet another cookie. I am saying, however, that the fond memories and the intergenerational bonding are worth it.
The holidays are a time when it’s more important than ever to see the BIG picture.
Rather than trying to stem the tide, go with the flow instead: think about the lessons your child will need to know in order to survive a lifetime of holiday eating.
Here are a few lessons to get you started:
Lesson 1) During holiday parties and meals, eat what you want to eat, not what you think you should eat (i.e. if you really want the brownies, it’s OK to skip the broccoli).
Lesson 2) When not at holiday parties and meals, eat a tad better than usual.
Lesson 3) Always pay attention to your tummy, so you never get too full.
Lesson 4) Only eat the sweets and treats you absolutely LOVE. Skip the ones you can do without.
Lesson5) Eat the minimum amount that will satisfy you. (Help your kids figure this out by asking them how many cookies they want, and then asking them to play before having more.)
Lesson 6) If you want more after you’re full, pack a doggy bag for later.
Lesson 7) It’s OK to taste tempting stuff, even if you’re not hungry.
Your kids may not digest these lessons the first time around, but that’s not a reason to avoid teaching them. We introduce “please” and “thank you” from the get-go, knowing they will take awhile to stick. The same is true for holiday eating.
It may seem like learning to get through the holidays without overeating is a modest goal, but in reality it’s huge.
It’s not that getting some healthy foods into your kids should fall off your radar. Getting some good nutrients into a growing child is always a good goal. And, a solid meal can go a long way in fending off the ravages of a sugar rush.
But your kids have a lot of holidays to face in the future, and the sooner they learn to enjoy the holidays without overdoing it the better off they’ll be.
~ Changing the conversation from nutrition to habits. ~
