[Ryan D Andrews]

So I'm baby-sitting for my two nephews last weekend. They are 4 and 2 years old.

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It was about 5:00pm and I just got done talking to them about the biochemistry of lipids - so we decided to grab something to eat (note the sarcasm - I didn't actually lecture them on lipid biochem, although I am not ruling it out for future babysitting fun ).

During our meal time - they provided me with some valuable information about eating habits.

• What young kids see you eat, they immediately want.

Here's what happened:

I asked the 4 year old - do you want some vegetables? "No!"

3 minutes later I brought some raw veggies and salad dressing to the table that I was going to eat.

What did the 4 year old say? "Ryan, I want veggies and salad dressing!" About 45 seconds later he confessed that veggies and salad dressing were now his favorite food combination.

I asked the 2 year old - do you want anything else to eat? "No!"

3 minutes later I brought a banana to the table that I was going to eat.

What did the 2 year old say? "Nana!" (Nana = Fend for yourself uncle Ryan - that's my banana now).

45 seconds later the banana was gone.

Some VERY SCARY thoughts then crossed my mind.

What if I had a pathetic diet. What if I brought a bag of fast food or a Twinkie to the table?

That's what the kids would have wanted - because I was eating it. Think about the parents that bring crappy food into the house day after day, year after year.

Should I still wonder why I have 30 year old clients who are "hooked" on fast food .

Parents (and any other role models to kids) - lead by example.

[Jason Bonn]

Agreed 100%. These kids are like little sponges--ready to absorb anything they come across. If it's good stuff, then awesome. The problem lies, like you said, with those who surround them with poor choices. That's why I love doing what I do (teaching Elementary Phys. Ed.). At this age, they're open to anything. I'm helping to shape and mold these kids into the good decision making adults they'll become.

Good stuff.

[Ryan D Andrews]

Hey Jay

Do you have a lot of freedom in what you can choose to do in your phys. ed classes?

[Jason Bonn]

Yeah. It's up to me the content I want to teach them and the methods I want to use. It's nice to be able to do that. We're in the process of writing a definitve curriculum, but even within that, we are and will continue to be flexible. It's more so if an "outsider" had to come in in an emergency situation, they would be able to have some success (kinda like expanded substitute teacher plans). Things change, new info, methods, etc... come out (especially with the health and exercise fields), so teachers should try to stay on top of things and adapt if necessary.

[kyel]

LOL, I love the story, Ryan. I laughed about the lecture. Hey, they're never too young! But then there are my kids: 8, 6, 3. They weep when I try a new recipe on them . I keep a "clean" house so their snacks are whole grain, high fructose corn syrup free cereals, yogurt and fruit rather than chips and cookies and at dinner we insist they eat a veggie. My dd8 always chooses raw spinach...no dressing, not steamed with olive oil and feta cheese and lemon, just raw. My dd6 eats 1/3 of a cucumber and you better NOT let it touch any of her other food, LOL. DS3 inspects every morsal under a microscope before he puts it in his mouth. I've started "sneaking" spinach in his smoothies and I make a variety of breads and call them cake...pumpkin, zuc, blueberry... I really feel like I've failed in getting my kids to love veggies. At least they do NOT eat fast food and only drink water.

[Erin Weiss-Trainor]

I think its amazing to watch kids and the decisions they make about food. I have three young 'sponges' of my own (6, 4 and 1.5 years old), and since I have really made veggies and clean eating a priority for me, I have seen them:

1. grab handfuls of assorted raw veggies for a snack (much to the amazement of grandparents and family!)
2. ask for a veggie for breakfast when asked to choose which fruit they would like with their morning meal (much to the amazement of me!)
3. be okay (no fights, tears or tantrums) with having some fruit in place of dessert or being limited in the sweet treats they are allowed to have

I am also really intrigued by their natural inclinations towards certain foods - my oldest son is all about carbs all the time and much prefers chicken and turkey to red meats whereas my 4 yr old LOVES the meat! It definately makes any meal time a bit more challenging but I think its important to respect and provide them with what their little bodies are craving.

Leading by example is key and the earlier you can set up your kids with good eating behaviours the better! I blame my ongoing struggle and cravings for sweets on all those brown sugar sandwiches my parents used to make for me (honestly, what were they thinking!)

Great post Ryan - thanks for the gentle reminder for all us parents!

Erin

[Ryan D Andrews]

Originally Posted by kyel

LOL, I love the story, Ryan. I laughed about the lecture. Hey, they're never too young! But then there are my kids: 8, 6, 3. They weep when I try a new recipe on them . I keep a "clean" house so their snacks are whole grain, high fructose corn syrup free cereals, yogurt and fruit rather than chips and cookies and at dinner we insist they eat a veggie. My dd8 always chooses raw spinach...no dressing, not steamed with olive oil and feta cheese and lemon, just raw. My dd6 eats 1/3 of a cucumber and you better NOT let it touch any of her other food, LOL. DS3 inspects every morsal under a microscope before he puts it in his mouth. I've started "sneaking" spinach in his smoothies and I make a variety of breads and call them cake...pumpkin, zuc, blueberry... I really feel like I've failed in getting my kids to love veggies. At least they do NOT eat fast food and only drink water.

kyel

That is awesome. You have some good stuff going.

I understand the "no food touching."

Speaking of "sneaking" veggies - have you seen the book Deceptively Delicious? It has some good ideas.

Thanks for the feedback.

[Ryan D Andrews]

Originally Posted by eritra

I think its amazing to watch kids and the decisions they make about food. I have three young 'sponges' of my own (6, 4 and 1.5 years old), and since I have really made veggies and clean eating a priority for me, I have seen them:

1. grab handfuls of assorted raw veggies for a snack (much to the amazement of grandparents and family!)
2. ask for a veggie for breakfast when asked to choose which fruit they would like with their morning meal (much to the amazement of me!)
3. be okay (no fights, tears or tantrums) with having some fruit in place of dessert or being limited in the sweet treats they are allowed to have

I am also really intrigued by their natural inclinations towards certain foods - my oldest son is all about carbs all the time and much prefers chicken and turkey to red meats whereas my 4 yr old LOVES the meat! It definately makes any meal time a bit more challenging but I think its important to respect and provide them with what their little bodies are craving.

Leading by example is key and the earlier you can set up your kids with good eating behaviours the better! I blame my ongoing struggle and cravings for sweets on all those brown sugar sandwiches my parents used to make for me (honestly, what were they thinking!)

Great post Ryan - thanks for the gentle reminder for all us parents!

Erin

Hearing this stuff makes my day. Keep it up.

You are definitely right about the natural inclinations toward certain foods. I see it all the time. And since they are so young, they have no influence of advertising, friends, etc - so it is purely what feels right to them.

Fascinating.

[kyel]

Originally Posted by Ryan D Andrews

kyel

That is awesome. You have some good stuff going.

I understand the "no food touching."

Speaking of "sneaking" veggies - have you seen the book Deceptively Delicious? It has some good ideas.

Thanks for the feedback.

Is it by Jay Leno's wife? I'll have to look for it. Thanks

[Lea-Ann]

It is actually by Jerry Seinfield's wife. I have not used it, but a friend of mine who has a son who is a picky eater got it and has had sucess with several of the recipes... but like she said- it isn't teaching him to like the foods (veggies etc.) for what they are,, but is tricking him and almost supporting bad choices a little--- what are people's thoughts on this??/ Kinda tricky I think- all kids are so different.

LA