We decided it would be fun & interesting to interview our kids so we sat down with 4 daughters, ranging from age 10-16. We heard about the kind of food & body messages they hear at home, and how these messages differ from what they hear among friends, and generally in the world.
Some key takeaways:
- There is no "good" food or "bad" food, food is just food
- Sugar is not bad for you and should never be used as a reward
- The way you look has nothing to do with your health
- It’s hard to hear adults you look up to talking about food in a negative way
- Children should not have to hear an authority figure saying bad things about people with large bodies.
- Removing the pressure around food leaves them feeling more excited and freer to try new foods (bargaining and/or food policing backfires)
- How they handle the moments when peers say negative things about their bodies
- Health is far more complex than just what we eat
Links:
Don't Teach Our Kids to Diet: 5 Resources to Give Teachers and Schools
A School Nutrition Lesson: The Edible Parts of a Plant
Lutz, Alexander & Associates Nutrition Therapy
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