Obesity is a modern world problem. Sure, there was obesity when our grandparents were young but it was the exception. The majority of people ate traditional food of their region, ate plenty of fruits that were in season and vegetables were a staple food.
These days we see children as young as two that are obese. We also see youngsters as young as 10 that are anorexic.
The western world (mainly) has developed such an unhealthy relationship with food that the two extremes are visible everywhere. Rather than the exception, they became the norm.
I try very hard to keep my kids on a balanced and healthy diet. I can’t control everything they eat, especially because they have meals at school. It irritates me that they serve desserts with every meal, bringing this sense of normality that desserts are meant to be eaten all the time.
When I was a kid, pudding was fruit. Cool drink was water. But, like I said, bar telling the kids to eat fruit I can’t do much more.
For me balance means balance, not rigidity. So my kids know that on weekends it’s ok to eat unhealthy things. Pizza, ice-cream, biscuits, fruit juice (no fizzy drinks). We occasionally take them to McDonalds too.
So the other day I had a quick exchange with a colleague about diet and my manager interjected: “so the sweet at the weekend is a treat?” when he heard me talking about the reward they would get if they behaved well during the week.
He pressed on “you know the message you’re giving is dangerous right? If a sweet is associated with being a treat, when they are older, food will become the primary comfort thing”.
And of course he is right. But we have to draw the line somewhere. My kids know that sugary things are unhealthy. They also know that if we have most days of healthy food then the weekend excesses are not harmful. Everything in moderation is key.
But let’s not kid ourselves. Human beings like sweet things. If we weren’t meant to then breastmilk wouldn’t taste like it does (and yes, I’ve tasted it. You have to at airports).
So I think the most important thing is for kids to be informed about health and what healthy eating habits look like. Why we need vegetables and fruits and why too many burgers and chips will make you ill (and obese) in the long run. It’s pointless to try and stop them from eating anything unhealthy at all. They will always find a way later and then it becomes a magnet. Like the forbidden fruit.
A treat is something special for a kid. It could be a different place to go for the day, a bike ride, a special meal at a restaurant. Or it could be a lollipop, a packet of crisps or an ice-cream. I’m ok with that.
As long as throughout the week they eat all their veg, the fruits, the fish and the great natural carbs nature has to offer, then I believe I’ve done my part to avoid cases of obesity (and/or anorexia) with my kids.