https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 03 Apr 2026 22:31:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy/page/2#post-1464266 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 15:35:32 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 1464266@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely get the feeling that people think we are crazy, preschool especially. I always try to send healthy equivalents of what other kids are having but I can not get on board with food coloring and crazy amounts of white sugar. I do make exceptions for birthday parties, but he always acts like a nut after those. I've started explaining very matter of factly why he can't have something and offering an alternative. Like the other day he wanted these rainbow candies so I explained they contain petroleum (yucky) and he could have dried strawberries instead. Family has already gotten used to my "issues" so really I don't care too much what other people think, if you know what I mean. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy/page/2#post-1464210 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 15:19:32 +0000 Ellie 1464210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wish my Hubs and I ate better. I envision giving my LO, who just started solids, only healthy stuff, but I've already bent a rule or two. I've really got to make a change - thanks for the reminder/inspiration.</p> <p>I grew up with sugar-addicted parents who were also emotional eaters, so I find my habits reflect that upbringing, despite my intentions. I don't buy treats for the house, but then my Mom, Gran or Aunt will come visiting and bring pies, cookies, etc. Its hard enough for me to resist when they're (the sweets) there. </p> <p>Now that my LO is eating more foods, the family has started to "treat" her with cookies and things. Gah! (I keep fruit in the house and say if they want to 'treat' her, they can give her some berries, etc). I think this may be a life-long struggle with them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy/page/2#post-1464198 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 15:10:53 +0000 2PeasinaPod 1464198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely feel like I can't win. Right now, LO is on a veggie strike. I knew it would happen, and it doesn't look like he's going to get back to eating veggies anytime soon, but I get it from both ends. One minute, my mom will say something about how he eats too many fruits and not enough veggies, and the next minute, she's yelling at me because I didn't cook his hotdog in anything "good" like a vat of butter. </p> <p>I'm happy if I can get a meal in LO right now. If he eats 2 out of the 5 things I offer him, it's a win with the way his eating habits have been. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy/page/2#post-1464107 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 14:35:14 +0000 LuLu Mom 1464107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: Agree! I feel like even my healthy options don't compare to what I see others on here feeding their kids. My daughter's favorite word is "cookie" and at 17 months, I don't feel bad about giving her the occasional treat. I do wish daycare fed her better though, that is one of my only complaints with where she goes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy/page/2#post-1463742 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 13:19:06 +0000 hilsy85 1463742@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't say we're super hard core or anything...we go to Shake Shack occasionally with LO and he has had some french fries, and if we get an ice cream cone when we're out with him, he gets a few licks too. I do think we try to feed LO healthier than we eat ourselves though, and I think our ILs must raise a few eyebrows--my MIL ALWAYS asks before feeding LO anything, which is great, but I always say no when it's something like a cookie. meanwhile, she feeds my nieces cookies, juice, soda (they're 6, 5, and 1) without asking because they get the same things at home. </p> <p>But then again, where they are from, in Russia, it was extremely common to give milk and sugar as a drink, and DH's fave childhood food is mamaliga--polenta dipped in melted butter and then rolled in feta cheese!</p> <p>My parents are pretty supportive of a healthier food lifestyle for LO (although my mom is also obsessed with us giving LO ice cream, like your DH, @jedeve!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy/page/2#post-1463716 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 13:09:45 +0000 googly-eyes 1463716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I thought LO ate pretty healthily but reading trough this maybe not. Oh well, healthy enough anyway. I don't think parents get judged so much for feeding their kids healthy foods, but the holier than thou attitude that (honestly!) does come across (when people declare that "average" food is just not good enough for their kid) sometimes is what brings on the comments. And some of that probably is defensiveness on both ends. Maybe the healthy feeding parent feels singled out. Maybe the less healthy feeding parent feels less than. Not saying that's the case for anyone SPECIFICALLY but just in general. </p> <p>I've actually gotten comments both ways, and I just don't take them very seriously because I trust my own judgment and none of the comments have come from a doctor or nutritionist. Daycare starts soon and we aren't even allowed to pack extra foods after around 8am, unless we make a last minute change to a different center, so that'll be interesting. </p> <p>I just do what I feel I need to do and I honestly don't discuss it all that much with other people. I don't owe anyone an explanation! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy/page/2#post-1463685 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 12:57:14 +0000 prettylizy 1463685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: *stands up and admits it* my girl has had a happy meal! more than once in her life!</p> <p>We used to get a ton of guff about sweets and treats, for the most part family is over it now. She used to be an incredible eater, now it's hit and miss (toddlerhood rears it's head!) but we DO NOT cook seperate meals for her. She gets what we get and she has the choice to eat it or not. Right now it's a total crap shoot, sometimes she loves eggs, sometimes she has no interest at all. We just try to roll with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy/page/2#post-1463659 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 12:52:16 +0000 Freckles 1463659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, LO has a list attached to her cubby of foods she can't eat and i am the only parent who packs a lot of extra food for her. I don't think i'm judged/unsupported but sometimes i get comments like, "oh i want to but i just don't have the time." I don't ever want others to feel as if i expect them to do what i do.</p> <p>I sometimes also feel like you have to be extra careful as to what you post on HB, because others feel as if you're judging them for not following an organic/from scratch/no processed foods mentality.</p> <p>@sarac: not to hijack but i was in Portland this past weekend and fell in loooove!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy/page/2#post-1463650 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 12:49:41 +0000 pinkcupcake 1463650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bao: - totally agree with you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy/page/2#post-1463629 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 12:44:57 +0000 Arden 1463629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh yes. IRL hugely so, people think I'm nuts. On hellobee not quite as much, but I can sometimes feel the eye rolls. :P </p> <p>It doesn't bother me that much though. People are going to judge any choice we make as parents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy/page/2#post-1463468 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 12:01:26 +0000 Sparkler 1463468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2 @ Brownie: I do what I can, but don't stress too much. Most people think he eats very healthy as we don't have juice at home ever, I don't think he even knows what white bread is and he calls any type of sweet a "special treat", so I know he knows it is not the norm. Stonyfield Kids yogurt smoothies, kids cliff bars and squeezable applesauces are his daily indulgences that he asks for, but he barely eats any vegetables and has also stopped eating a lot of meat lately. But, then again one night last week he ate 2 curry chicken breasts so who knows. I guess I just mean that as kids get older, they gain a bit of independence each year and some of this comes in food choice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy/page/2#post-1463463 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 11:58:58 +0000 MoonMoon 1463463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My situation is a bit different, because my definition of healthy is vegetarian, closer to vegan. Fortunately, close family and friends are used to this by now, but society at large gives me many a side eye! I try to be very live and let live about it, I don't want LO to grow up with any hang ups around food, if I can help it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy/page/2#post-1463446 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 11:53:01 +0000 sarac 1463446@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I mean, I'm a stay at home mother in Portland, Oregon, so not choosing to feed my daughter healthy food would be the looked down upon choice here. That being said, she's allowed to eat cookies. I don't want to fetishize or make forbidden normal foods like cookies. We eat those things in moderation. She'd far prefer a bowl of blueberries, so I feel like I've done well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy/page/2#post-1463206 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:51:09 +0000 mamimami 1463206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@brownie: Sounds delicious to me!! We ended up bringing green pizzas (to go with our "hulk" theme) -- not so healthy but not hot dogs and chips... and the teachers said the kids are very well!!! SO THERE, preschool. hahaha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy/page/2#post-1463193 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:48:47 +0000 brownie 1463193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamimami: We only bring snack when we want to do something cool. So far this year we have done bacon wrapped bananas, onion rings (homemade but still fried) and oranges, and Salsa and sweet potato chips. We have gotten "the kids loved it" each and every time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy/page/2#post-1463173 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:44:33 +0000 mrsjazz 1463173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I believe I feed my child healthy, but some may not agree because she does have treats sometimes. We made the best oatmeal chocolate chip cookies this weekend and she had 2. I actually agree with @Bao: that it seems the opposite, at least here on HB. If someone was to come on here and say that their kid had a Happy Meal with chicken nuggets and French fries people would be up in arms.</p> <p>BUT, your child, your decisions. Those should be respected. I've had people offer snacks and treats to LO that I wasn't comfortable with. I usually say thank you but no thanks, though DH is worse, he told this guy who offered LO a Honeybun at the playground, "Oh we don't like to feed her sugary treats like that!" I had to take him aside and smack him because then the guy got a little defensive about feeding his child one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy/page/2#post-1463099 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:24:01 +0000 mamimami 1463099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You just can't win! </p> <p>My kids eat junk sometimes but I try to keep their diet reasonably healthy-ish! SO I think the preschool teachers were like UGH when I said I wasn't going to bring hot dogs and potato chips for my son's school b-day party, even though they told me "that's what the kids like" and probably they think I am uncooperative and diva-ish... like when I told my MIL she couldn't give my toddler a soda. </p> <p>On the other hand like @bao I have a feeling some of you would be horrified by the amount of sweets in our lives. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy/page/2#post-1463092 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:23:11 +0000 Mamaof2 1463092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sparkler: Agree -When I had my 1st I was very good about eating healthy meals - then along came 2 and things began to slide..... and peer pressure kicks in "well, M gets cookies every day!" or "J gets lunchables and I get yucky food!"</p> <p>So now I do give him a cookie with lunch 1-2 times a week and sometimes a lunchable! </p> <p>But for the most part like others have mention I try to do everything in moderation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy/page/2#post-1463081 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:20:47 +0000 LovelyPlum 1463081@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@petunia354: +1! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy/page/2#post-1463078 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:20:16 +0000 brownie 1463078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sparkler: my little guy is almost 3 (1 month away) and I am still super vigilant. There are extenuating circumstances for is in that he is intolerant to soy protein. So that helps us control his food. He is also intolerant to something else I can't pinpoint but I am leaning towards sugar. We have relaxed some and I make him the same treats the kids are getting at school for parties (like sugar cookies for valentines day). I don't think he would notice if he didn't get the same stuff though.</p> <p>Now that isn't to say he doesn't get hot dogs or sandwiches on white bread (the only one we can find without soy flour). But he doesn't get the typical Oreo cookies for o preschool snack day. His favorite treats are waffles and freeze dried blueberries. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy/page/2#post-1463074 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:19:58 +0000 LovelyPlum 1463074@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: that's so scary! Good for you for being proactive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy#post-1463066 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:18:58 +0000 mediagirl 1463066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: oh geez, that's harsh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy#post-1463063 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:18:36 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1463063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hear ya! The way I see it, is that it doesn't matter to me what you feed your child, but it IS my responsibility as a parent to be sure my child gets the nutrients he needs for life and optimal health. I am pretty picky about what my child eats and I don't apologize for it. Thankfully I come from a family who eats even healthier than I do - and they fully support it. His birthday cakes have always been gluten free and free of processed sugar. But I will admit to letting him have certain snacks on a special occasion; like I let him have some cheddar bunnies after his doctor appt because he was so well-behaved and listened well. I generally try to avoid food rewards and bribing with food - but he really loves it. </p> <p>We don't eat 100% organic because of the cost, but we prioritize some organic things such as dirty dozen, meat and dairy. </p> <p>At 2, he isn't a picky eater thankfully, but I understand that can change. My parents were very, "you eat what we make/serve, or you don't eat" and I think that helped me avoid being picky. I actually learned to LIKE some foods because it was served over and over. We will approach that when or if that comes up with our son. But we do try to stay open-minded and focus just on what's best for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy#post-1463042 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:13:54 +0000 Mamasig 1463042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: same here. I admit that DS eats junk sometimes! Is it all the time? No. But I'm ok with him trying sweets and eating French fries sometimes. Honestly, he takes a couple of bites and moves on. But I think part of it may be where I'm from. Food is celebrated and a huge part of the culture. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy#post-1463041 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:13:51 +0000 sorrycharlie 1463041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: @locavore_mama: I think he's been through the wringer with tests! I can ask if he has had genetics looked at but idk. I think they suggested childhood/early adulthood diet (like, 20-25) may have played a role as well before he started really getting into running and eating healthy. I'm not positive, I'll ask though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy#post-1463037 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:12:55 +0000 Cole 1463037@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think this will be something that will be on our radar as we have kids. We generally eat well but it seems like a huge part of growing up in our society is surrounded by "special treats". At the bank and grocery store they give out lollipops. At every holiday each activity gives out candy (I kid you not at gymnastics they got three chocolate boats for Columbus day.) There are multiple parties for Halloween, Valentines Day and Easter in our community and they all involve candy and cupcake. There are birthday parties in school and then on the weekend and someone decided it was a fun tradition to send home goody bags from school. The little league teams go out for frozen yogurt on a regular basis. It just never ends! So if you try to limit this stuff in any way you are stuck being the bad guy or you never get to bake cookies with your own kids because they have already had 3 cupcakes, 12 pieces of candy and 7 cookies this week! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy#post-1463034 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:12:11 +0000 Dandelion 1463034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've always been pretty laid back about food. After all, I like sweets so who am I to eat stuff like that and not let him have any? We don't go overboard, but it's a non issue. We have a candy drawer in the kitchen and ds can help himself at appropriate times. He never is a glutton about it and lets himself have an occassional treat. He's got good self control about it.</p> <p>And you know what his favorite food is? Cauliflower. The kid loves his veggies. We make it a non issue, so sweets aren't a novelty to him.</p> <p>We eat healthy, too...at dinner we have lots of fresh veggies and foods and we keep fruit in the fridge that he also likes. We all eat a good variety of food...and we're all very healthy.</p> <p>Everything in moderation. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy#post-1463029 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:11:05 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1463029@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: Yes, we have a similar daycare teacher who's daughter comes to school eating donughts or chocolate pudding for breakfast. She tells her daughter, "See A, why can't you eat a healthy yogurt and banana like D"? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy#post-1463027 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:11:04 +0000 regberadaisy 1463027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: btw agree w/Mrs Blue to urge your dad to get further testing. For as healthy as he sounds he doesn't make sense that his arteries are 99% blocked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-that-choose-to-feed-healthy#post-1463026 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:11:02 +0000 Aimed 1463026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jedeve: agree. For me it's about balance. Healthy food is definitely a priority but now that he is over 1 year, I am ok with giving him a little sugar here and there. To me it is about training him to eat for life and Id rather he not throw himself head first into a bag of candy when he is 3 and first discovers it!<br /> I feel that it is important to expose him to as much textures and tastes as possible so that he will have a wide palate. I really don't want him to be one of those kids that will only eat pasta or rice or whatever, it's important for him to be part of the family meals.<br /> It's definitely a process though and feeding is totally one of the biggest challenges of kids! </p>