There is much talk in the media about our children's poor diets and obesity. Yes, I definetely agree that many kids are not taught proper nutrition and eating habits. However, this post is about something different entirely.
As parents we tend to give our children's nutrition priority over our own. I know I am certainly guilty of this. Right before shopping weekend when the cupboards and refrigerator are nearly bare I always give Moose the priority of healthy foods. When there is only one piece of fruit left, he gets it. If all the fresh veggies are gone and our freezer only has enough frozen veggies for a single person, Moose gets it. If the milk carton is empty and all that's left is 8 oz of my soy milk...yup...Moose gets it.
Oftentimes I find myself justifying this is my mind by saying "Oh I'll get my veggies later," or "I'll make myself a sandwich after Moose goes to bed to get my protein." Too often I don't remember to follow through with it.
Don't get me wrong, I don't use Moose as an excuse not to eat healthy. I actually love veggies. I love lean protiens. I love whole grains. But if it is a choice between giving my son these nutrients and myself, he always gets priority. It seems only natural to me to give your children the best and then just take the rest.
Unfortunately, I am not the only one who "suffers" when this happens. I often forget that, being a breastfeeding mama, Mack T is getting his own nutrition through me. This means that it does need to be a priority as well.
Do you see this bad habit come to fruition in your own eating as well? How do you compensate for what your diet is lacking because of sacrifices made for your kids?
10 Lovin's:
yup-- thats me :) LOL.. now we gotta make sure there are always TWO servings left when I go shopping! LOL
I try to do both feed healthy food and eat healthy because for the last 3 years I've been either pregnant or breastfeeding or both at the same time and dizzy spell are no fun!
I've done that same thing for years, but no more. I'm not putting my nutrition above my children's, but neither am I putting theirs above mine. I've actually started eating a high raw diet, and that's helped tremendously in making sure that I'm getting equal priority in the fruits and veggies. :)
I'm SO there. E's always getting the last apple, banana, glass/bottle of milk/juice... I *know* that I need to take care of myself as well, but too often I find myself busy feeding her while cleaning or something else, then by the time she's in bed or I have two seconds to myself I grab something quick & not quite healthy, if anything at all (I'm trying to block the half-package of Chewy Chips Ahoy! cookies in one setting event from my memory... eek! I DID have a glass of milk with them!) ;) I need to make more effort to make sure I am eating well too! (we do better on hubs' nights off, as he tends to want actual meals, not just a sandwich or bowl of cereal as I often eat after fixing E's meals...)
I am extremely bad about this too! (Oh and I totally didn't realize you drink soy milk! That's the only kind I like)
Anyways. When L was BF'ing all the time and not eating any solids I had to be really careful about what I ate because of her reflux. So I ate tons of plain veggies, brown rice and grilled chicken. After she was more on solids though I didn't start eating much junk, I just don't make as much time to eat. Some days I eat breakfast at 12 noon and dinner at 9. But that's really not any healthier than eating badly all day long! Now I have to force myself to slow down and eat something when she does instead of trying to get stuff done while she's having a meal :)
Lol! YES! I always make sure Jonathan eats well for lunch, but I tend to just grab what's easy to eat quickly.
Yes, I definitely do! Also, since we go through so much milk and I don't like it in the first place I don't drink very much of it :/ Plus I have 3 kiddos to feed 'first' and I'm pregnant... I always forget later too!
I find myself cooking veggies for myself, but not eating them because I am so tired of getting up and getting fruits and veggies for everyone else. Sometimes I feel like if I never cut another grape or peeled another banana I would be just fine...:). I tend to eat better when I am pregnant or nursing, when those two situations aren't a consideration my diet is horrible (I miss pop!)
I hate to brag, but we're exceptionally good eaters. It take a lot of planning, prepping and organization but right now on my desk is a baggie of orange bell peppers for a snack, a container of carrot sticks for another snack and cooked spinach with chicken for lunch :) I'm so lucky that my 3 year old eats well, too. I think it's as a resulf of introducing a wide variety of fruits and vegetables early on.
This is a really good post! Mothers are so busy and so used to taking care of everyone else first ... that they often don't eat well themselves. Thanks for the reminder.
-Deb for Ecover
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