What do you tell your young kid when it comes to healthy foods?

Question

I have a three year old and without getting into much explanation I offer her foods and discourage others saying this is "good for your belly" or this is "not good for your belly". One day she asked why she couldn't have more salami and I just said because it has toomuch fat, so now she asks every time if this or that has fat and when I tell her yes she gets sad and no she gets happy. Have I set her up to become an anorexic?

Answer 1

Well, I would have given her more salami.  It sounds like YOU are overly worried about things like that.

If you don't want her to have something, don't give it to her in the first place.

I think 3 year olds are much too young to understand fat, vitamins, etc.

If she is active, "fat" shouldn't be that much of an issue, as long as she is getting plenty of vegetables, fruit, milk, etc.

Answer 2

Keep in mind that kids can eat a lot more fat than adults..ya, I would have given her more salami and none of us are overweight.   My daughter can sit down and eat a whole pack of salami in one sitting. She's extrememly active and her doctor said she's her healthiest patient...anyhow..

approach is everything but if thyroid, genes, etc. have a genetic tendency to overweight than that's a whole other story...

It's like the other guy said..she's sad cause she related fat to something she can't have.  Maybe explain good fat/bad fat and a little fat is okay and a lot of fat might make you sick? I might go that route.

My daughter's 8 - (youngest) totally into food/vitamins, etc. wants to know what's in everything....

I think it's good to explain things to kids.  It's just how you do it..the 'ol everything in moderation..everything has some good/some bad...(well, okay, some things are all bad...and some things are all good..but, averagely speaking..)..I'd say give a good side and a bad side without making them very strong points..(don't say you could die from too much fat...(I'm exaggerating..i know you wouldn't say that..)...just say a little bit is okay, too much and she might feel sick. so just eat a little bit..or something like that..)

I'm sure you haven't set her up to be anorexic! lol...

Just enjoy food with her. Speak more of the good than the bad. Go out of your way to point out good.

Answer 3

No, you are setting her up to become a healthy eater!  The earlier people can learn about what to eat sparingly and what to eat a lot of the better.  Good for you for instilling healthy eating habits at a young age.  Maybe soon you could also start talking to her about vitamins and minerals (in a simplistic way she can understand), and the importance of a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables.

Answer 4

No, I don't think so.... but rather than emphasizing that foods have too much fat in them - which then later on can lead to kids worrying if they are fat - just say that certain foods are healthy and others are not healthy.  

If my kids ask me for foods that I feel are not good for them, I simply tell them its not healthy.  When they ask for further explanation, I just say it doesn't have many (if any) vitamins and minerals, or has too much sugar, depending on what it is.  And that we need vitamins and healthy foods to grow strong and stay healthy, not get sick, etc.  My boys especially love anything that emphasizes them getting stronger, lol!

I think your daughter is simply getting upset because she knows if a certain food has too much "fat", then you won't let her eat it.  

Good luck!!

Answer 5

I doubt you've turned her into an anorexic!  But I do think you're not doing this in an age appropriate way.  A three year old should not be asking questions about fat content.

I would just be more general in your approach and practice a reward system where she learns that there are fun foods, but they shouldn't be eaten until the healthy stuff is eaten first.  And then encourage any good habits she develops, like snacking on fruits, etc.

Answer 6

I just tell my kids its good for them and it will help them be strong and have HUGE muscles! They are both in the stage where they like to feel strong and my 2yr old daughter lifts my dad's leg and says "Look Papa, I strong!" lol I let them have snacks and some junk food but then I tell them they had enough and its not too good for them, just to have sometimes :) and they are cool with it......

Answer 7

I think it is great that you are teaching your daughter about eating healthy!  I don't think you are setting her up to be anorexic!  Since she is showing interest, it may be a good time to talk to her about nutrition in general.  Print out a food pyramid like this one:  http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/...

and explain it to her.  She may have fun sorting all her favorite foods into the pyramid.  It is a great time to teach!!  Good luck!