Junk food

Elizabeth - posted on 05/22/2011

I don't think it's okay for anybody to go against rules that you have cleary set for or child. That is very disrespectful and I would bluntly tell them that they don't have to agree with your choices but they do have to repect your rules and if they can't then you will not come
Around anymore and I think that is something ou have to stick to. By the way giving pop to a toddler is disgusting in my opinion and i think there is a huge difference between a treat and pop! Sugar in that amount has been proven to shut down your child's immune system for four days!! Gross.

In regards to junk food I don't think that kids should have it all the time but I do think that being so restrictive will also have negative effects. Kids want what they can't have
And the minute they have access to junk they wont know when to
Stop. Junk should never replace healthy food but if your kids eat a well balanced diet I dont think treats are bad. I'd you make it a big deal by tellin her it's only when Shen"deserves" it your setting her up
For bad eating habits and thinking that later on food is a celebration.

I leave treats around the house and allow
Them
After they have eaten a healthy meal but if I noice
They are not eating well I cut them
Out for a
While. My kids know they aren't forbidden so it is very common for them to say no when somebody offers them a cookie.

I think overall you need to do what you feel is best and only you how it effects your kids. Stick to your guns on what you feel us best :)

A book that I loved is Feedin with love and good sense.
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/0923521518/...
Check it out!!!!

Shanna - posted on 05/22/2011

stick to what ur doing!! my daughter only gets junk food from her grandparents and it drives me crazy!! she just turned two and when we drive past ANY fast food restaurants she cries for french fries!!!! she doesnt even get juice, water or milk!! Kids can ruin their diets when they grow up, its my way or nothing!

Christina - posted on 05/20/2011

You definitely need to stick to what you are doing! If that is how you want your daughter to be raised then they need to respect that. I also do not give my daughter junk food. The only special stuff she gets is the frozen popsicles and those are sugar free. Definitely no soda pop though! I dont even give her juice, she gets water, milk, and unsweetened decaff. tea and only if I'm drinking the tea does she get some. Stick to your guns. Let them know if thats how they want to raise their child then fine, but at least try and respect how you want to raise yours.

Eleanor - posted on 05/19/2011

We don't give our son lollies and fizzies (actually no junk food or processed food at all, but thats just us, we all do that) mostly because we don't have them in the house. But if he's at a friends house or a party we don't fuss too much - its not going to do any harm once in a while. I draw the line at anything with caffine or artificial sweeteners etc.

But if you really feel strongly about it, stick to your guns. When shes older though she will probably eat things without your knowing (especially with pocket money), so finding some way to teach making good choices on her own and eating treats in moderation will become important.

In terms of other people feeding her things you don't like, I stand up for the things I believe in strongly - my husbands family all drink heaps of coke, including the kids, but I just ask them to respect that he isn't allowed any, and luckily they do!

Jane - posted on 05/18/2011

Mountain Dew for a two yo?! Coke and Pepsi for a 17 month old?! Is the woman crazy? There is absolutely no nutrition in any of those drinks, and they are loaded with sugar, caffeine, and phosphorus (really, really bad for your kidneys and can interfere with bone formation). In fact, the effects of feeding a baby soda include obesity, diabetes, loss of bone density, dental cavities (and yes, cavities matter in baby teeth), and nutritional deficiencies (their little stomachs can't hold much so everything that goes in needs to be chock full of nutrients).



Stick to your guns! I never let my kids have junk either other than birthday cake and every now and then a cookie. Once they hit elementary school I had much less control because teachers used candy, chips and soda as rewards in spite of laws in our state that say no junk food in schools.



Whatever they do to their bodies later on, I want my kids to start off as healthy as they can be.

Jennifer - posted on 05/18/2011

I agree with u and I have that problem too. My in laws never listen and do stuff even after I specifically say no she cannot have that. I hate it. My 3 yr old will ask for coke, I say no and her great grandma or grandma will give it to her anyway and say "oh it won't hurt hrt!!" And they have given both of my girls (just turned 2 and 4 Sunday, coke all the time even at 9 or 10 months would give them sips. Now they all the time ask and sneak it, I hate it!! How dare u go right behind me with MY kids and do what just said NOT to do! Been a big issue w me and the in laws and I feel like there's nothing I can do.

Jas - posted on 05/18/2011

I would stick with what you are doing. Just because it is the norm for people to give their young ones treats doesn't mean it is the right thing to do.
I try to be very cautious with my children and junk food. Now my 5 year old will choose fruit and veggies over sugary treats (most times:)).

Caitlin - posted on 05/18/2011

I think you are smart to keep her away from junk. There is NO WAY we give our daughter pop. I think we will steer clear of that as long as we can. She is allowed to have cake at parties and a desert every now and again with dinner. She eats french fries with dinner at times. We just started giving her juice on occasion but watered down with water 50%. This is more to protect her teeth though even from the natural sugars. We are shaping their eating habits. So if I can get her to choose a healthy snack over chips and pop when she is older, than that is a powerful thing! Stay strong and she is your daughter, you get to decide.

Hallie - posted on 05/18/2011

I personally let my daughter (will be 3 in july) have all that. She doesn't like pop and that is fine with me. But what you need to remember is that you are her parent, you make the decisions about what she eats and when. As long as you and your boyfriend agree on how you raise/ feed your child/children what everyone else thinks does not matter. Keep up the good work.

Workingberlinmum - posted on 05/18/2011

I completely agree with you. I do here and there give my son something sweet but as my son simply loooooooooooooooooooves spinach and fruit, I know he gets as much joy from a banana as he would from say chocolate so why not give the healthy option?! It's hard with other people who feel differently and my son often receives sweets from his friend's parents at daycare which is annoying but it's only here and there so I don't mind too much.

Chaola - posted on 05/18/2011

There is nothing wrong with having a standard for your child. I did the same thing with my twins that are now four. As a result, their teeth are healthy and they own their own do not eat or drink junk. They usually can't or won't eat a whole piece of candy. I do not have a problem with them eating their vegetables at all. So, there is nothing wrong with the way u choose to raise your daughter. And the best part is, other people do not have to agree with you to make your choice right or wrong. That's why this nation is full of overweight children now, different adults in those kids lives felt it was "no big deal" to give a child junk. Kudos to you for sticking to your beliefs.

Edna - posted on 05/18/2011

At the end of the day she's your daughter and everyone should respect your wishes that she's no to have these things. i'd stick with what your doing.

Nikki - posted on 05/17/2011

I would say no. You are her parents and you can do what you think is best for your own child. You know is best for her so keep doing what you are doing and don't let anyone else tell you other wise.

Andrea - posted on 05/17/2011

You are not wrong because that is your child and you don't need anyone's approval on how to raise your child. Sweets aren't a must and soda are bad for small children anyway in my opinion especially with all of the childhood obesity cases today. I don't think that a child should feel entitled to have soda with every meal and such. I moved back home with my parent so that I could focus better on school and every time I turned around my dad was sneaking my then 11 month old son soda after I told him about my feelings of not wanting my son to develop a taste for soda.My son is now 2 and he will see a soda and push his food away and throw awful tantrums because he wants soda and not food. He quite skinny too because he doesn't eat as he should; however he always has room for soda. I don't know whether to blame the bowel obstruction that he had ad at or my father for my son not wanting to eat most times.

Lynleigh - posted on 05/17/2011

Of course you're not wrong for not giving her junk! I don't want to poison my son with all the nasty chemicals in junk food, and it blows my mind that there are people out there that give their toddlers soda and candy! I feel so bad for the kids- it's not like they know how bad it is and can choose not to eat it.



Stand true to how u feel and don't let others make u feel bad for trying to give your kid a healthy start!

Britney - posted on 05/17/2011

I Agree With You! This Is How I See It! A Snack Here & There Is Fine..But If You Don't Teach Your Child How To Eat Foods ..The When They Grow Up They May Not Know How To Control Their Self When It Comes To Junk Food. So As Long As Your Showing Your Child That Those Foods Are Okay, But You Can Not Eat Them All The Time. My Daughter Is 2 & I Giver Her Vital 18 Every Day In Her Milk To Make Up For Vitamins She May Not Get Through The Day! She Loves Fruit & Some Veggies But I Will Give Her a Few Chips With Her Turkey & Cheese! ...People Have To Understand You Are The Mom, & To Respect How You Raise Your Child! ...Soda Is FORSURE A No No In My House! :)

Sasha - posted on 05/17/2011

I would definitely stick with what I was doing if I were you and I would be furious with anyone who tried to give my daughter junk food. It's not funny to undermine the important decisions you make in regards to the health of your own child and I think you were absolutely in the right to tell your boyfriend's sister off. I'd have been livid! Good for you for sticking up for your child. My son's 17 months old and there's no way he's getting junk food. I've had many an argument with my mother-in-law about it but he's my child not hers and I won't back down in the face of an argument. Good luck :)

Nakea - posted on 05/17/2011

You are not wrong. You are her mother, you carried her for 9 months (assuming, I know I carried both of mine 40 plus weeks) and everyone should respect your wishes. It is good for her overall health if the junk foods are limited. They are supposed to be limited for all of us anyway. Sweets are supposed to be a treat not a main course of the diet. You are doing the right thing. Don't beat yourself up. I do the same thing. People are amazed when my children ask forf water instead of soda. Keep it up. You are doing the right thing!

VANESSA - posted on 05/17/2011

i see your point very well but what are you going to do when it comes to easter time just give her healthy food but i agree it is not good for kids to have junk food all the time but on occassions it is ok

Kimberly - posted on 05/17/2011

Feed her how you want to feed her. Children learn eating habits from their parents so good for you for limiting junk food.

Carly - posted on 05/17/2011

WTF is all I have to say. What moron gives a baby mountain dew? I would have ripped her a new butthole right then and there.
My son gets his fair share of sweets, like pudding or maybe 1 piece of candy here and there but never ever soda especially the most acidic, highest caffeinated soft drink out there besides the energy drinks. There is an actual documentary on how mountain dew is killing people in the appalachian mountains. It's rotting the whole community's teeth and stuff.
Ok. it's just 100% wrong that she knew you don't give your kid that and wouldn't approve and waited until you weren't around to do it. That alone would have me riled up.
You are 100% right to be pissed. You choose your childs diet, not them and you aren't being unreasonable here. If you said something like, oh I don't even allow applesauce or hot dogs something, then that would be going overboard but you aren't saying that. I'm mad FOR you girlfriend! You stick to your guns and let them know they can't put food in your kids mouth without your permission, period!

Mary - posted on 05/17/2011

I totally agree with you. I am the same way about my daughter. It seems everyone else around in the family thinks it is something funny and I don't understand. Stick with it, if there were more moms out there like you, we might have a better chance at seeing healthier people, but people just don't care and that is a problem. I think it is better to teach them young as you have the influence and everything they grow up to know is what there influence has been. Just a thought. You are a great mommy, stand your ground!

Nicole - posted on 05/17/2011

Don't back down or doubt yourself! There are way too many people that think that babies and toddlers should be getting junk food and sugar. As parents, it is our job to teach them healthy eating habits and help them grow. I have to stick up for what I believe in quite often at parties because I do not give my 16 mth son chocolate, pop or junk food. You are doing a wonderful job and when it comes down to it, you are the mom and everybody has to mind their own business, ask you what is ok and what is not, and respect your wishes. keep up the good work!

Kelly - posted on 05/17/2011

My son is 18mths old and doesn't eat a whole lot of junk. Although he loves chicken nuggets and he does know a chocolate bar when he sees it. If he's at a party or all the other kids have lollies then he does too. He doesn't have lollipops (maybe suckers?) because they have the potential to fall off the sticks and get lodged in abies throats. Not good. He has a couple of mouthfuls out of my fizzy if i have it, but i dont really drink it either so that's not often. He has a hot chocolate/tea in the morning now because he was after my coffee and I didnt want him having that. He does eat a fair few biscuits, but in a jar with chocolate and milk arrowroot biscuits he will choose the milk arrowroots. Stick with what you're. It's your choice what you feed your daughter and anyone else should respect that.

Susan - posted on 05/17/2011

I agree with you. Like you, I don't allow sweets like that, and she has no reason to have sodas or anything with caffeine in my opinion. Her juice cups are still 1/2 water 1/2 100% juice (no kool-aid or cocktail or anything that's not 100% juice). She's had 3 tiny dum-dum suckers in her whole life. We don't keep junk food in the house. If we want chips we bake thin slices of potatoes or other veggies/fruits. She gets treats and cake at parties. Your bf's sis needs to respect your parenting wishes. Maybe you can better educate her on the healthy needs of her children. If not, just love your baby the best you can, mama, and don't let ugliness prevail!

Jennifer - posted on 05/17/2011

First of all, your boyfriend's sister was WRONG. Not only does she know you don't approve, but giving soda (especially Mt. Dew...eww waaaay too much caffine) to a toddler is a terrible idea. Not only is it nothing but empty calories and tons of caffine, it's completely artificial. Don't leave her alone with them again - they clearly do not respect your parenting choices.

That said, I think its okay to ease up a bit if you want. Ideally, you don't want your daughter to grow up thinking cookies and candy are this huge awesome amazing thing that taste incredible and she's not allowed to have them. So she might beg for them all the time, throw fits int he store over them, or end up sneaking them when she is older. Not good.

I make most of our treats, and I would suggest using half whole wheat flour in cookies, and maybe adding ground flax, dried fruit chopped up, or other healthy add-ins, to help you feel better about giving them. But keep the sugar and the chocolate chips, too. And we LOVE Yummy Earth Organic lollipops. They are natural flavors, and they are the best tasting hard candy I have ever had. I bring my own to the pediatrician and give it before the shot - he never even flinches :)

I do think it is a good attitude to have that things like soda are 1) for much older kids, and 2) for special occassions only. Birthday parties are almost always going to mean cake and other goodies, and its great that you let her enjoy those things. In my ideal world, there would never be any refined sugar served to my child but I cannot control every thing so I try to balance as much as I can, and make things myself as much as I can. As long as she has a pretty healthy diet with plenty of veggies and fruit, whole grains, and lean protien, a few small treats a week might just be a positive thing.

Christina - posted on 05/17/2011

I agree with you. My daughter will be two next month and I don't give her soda or chips and almost no candy but for once in awhile. I feel that if its your child you have a right to say no to something and not care what other people say. There is no reason why your daughter should drink soda. It does nothing for them so why fill kids up with overly sugared drinks? Or fried chips that again do nothing for the child's body. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for trying to make sure she is healthy.

Jessica - posted on 05/17/2011

Junk food is a NO! NO! I don't give my toddler any junk food unless we go out and we have no other option. However when we do go out I take healthy snacks. I also get upset when people try and give junk food to my son, however my son doesn't like the sweet treats, am sure glad he doesn't.

Kelsie - posted on 05/17/2011

Im with you also, my kids get cake and pop and junk on birthdays and special occasions. I also dont have a backbone to give others shit for pumping my kids full of junk, wish i did so stick with it. When my kids where with there biological mom they were drinking coke out of their bottle at 6 months old!!! how sick is that! she is your child and what you say goes, dont give in. we will walk down and have icecream or a popsicle or slurpee as a nice treat once in a while, but our daily routine is no junk food so your definitely not the only one!

Danielle - posted on 05/17/2011

Stick to what you're doing. You are doing a fantastic job :) I am exactly the same way. My Dad kept sneaking her things and even telling her to fib about it to me, and I confronted him and said that if he couldn't follow the rules then he's not allowed to have any alone time with her, and he is also not allowed to give her anything at all! He straightened up and realizes that you don't need to buy her love with treats, and also that there are healthy treats out there that are just as great!
Good luck, and stick to your guns.

Carrie - posted on 05/17/2011

Other people should respect your wishes. You are your daughter's mother and what you say goes.

Sarah - posted on 05/17/2011

My son does get soda every once in a while but it's just a sip here and there. I don't think it'll hurt him to have a sip. But I usually water it down first. As far as teas, I use herbal teas and sweeten them with honey instead of sugar and he loves it. :)

Andrea - posted on 05/17/2011

My daughter is 4 and has had caffiene two times. My mil and sis in law are bad about offering her sodas and teas, but i am very adamant that my child does not need those things. my sis-in-law gave her baby tea in a sippy. Soda is bad for their health, bones, and teeth, its also addicting. I feel like if I am going to be responsible for allowing my child to be addicted to something it should be apples, strawberries, grapes, etc not something like sodas or sugars.
She is allowed to have cakes at parties, and I allow her to drink capri suns at birthday parties.
She gets chips occasionally, but doesn't really like them. She gets some some sweets, but not a lot and she doesn't feel deprived. She even had half a candy bar a few weeks ago.

You are the mom!! It's your choice, and I think you are making the best choice for your child! Tell your sis-in-law that she can make decisions regarding the health of her children, but you will make the decisions for your children!! :)

Brittney - posted on 05/17/2011

My daughter gets sweets, suckers, chips etc, but she does NOT get pop! As long as it's not everyday all day she will be fine to have them. Pop is definately one thing she will not be having for a long time. I'd ease up just a little bit =)

Sarah - posted on 05/17/2011

Stick with it. I don't let my son have junk food very often. But when I do, he loves it because it's a treat! :) Animal crackers are a healthier alternative to a lot of junk foods

Alicia - posted on 05/17/2011

You are right to withold the sweets from her, you are setting her up to be healthy. You keep up the good work and continue to feed your daughter healthy foods. Sweets every now and then is a great treat, and fruits are a good sweet snack. Don't cave in to what everyone else is telling you, I bet your daughter's doctor loves you! I try to make sure my girls (5 and 7) get plenty of good fruits and veggies, and definitely NO sodas! I gave my younger daughter a drink of my coke and I immiediatly regreted it, she was bouncing off the walls the rest of the day and she kept asking for more. NEVER again! Again keep up the good work and you will be rewarded later down the road.

Kelly - posted on 05/17/2011

I don't let my 17 month old daughter eat junk food and sweets either and I hear a lot of comments from friends and family as well. They say that I am foolish for trying so hard to keep he sweets from her because she's going to get to them eventually anyway. But my argument is that she doesn't know any better right now than to eat what I put in front of her so I think it would be counterproductive to feed her unhealthy. This is the age where we mold our childrens eating habits that they'll have for the rest of their lives!! And with issues such as childhood diabetes and obesity on the rise, we need to take a stepback and ask ourselves what we are teaching our children and also what kind of example we are setting with our own eating habits as well. I truly think that it's not us that are the oddballs and I wish that, for our childrens sakes, more parents would look into the facts about our "fast food nation" and the damage we have already done to our kids health, maybe they wouldn't be so quick to hand out junk and start giving healthier alternatives. I can honestly say I know that my daughter isn't missing a thing by not eating =sweets= and candy. She's perfectly happy to easy a yogurt or a granola bar for dessert and that's the way I intend on continuinh to teach her :)

Jessica - posted on 05/17/2011

nobody needs soda. esepcially a toddler. ylour sister in law can make her own kid unhealthy and leave yours alone. you are definitely not wrong. we don't eat junk food either.. but are allowed the occassional sweet. but never, ever soda.

Renata - posted on 05/16/2011

You are right i believe is best for you daughter not. to eat Junk
But i would let her have some in special occassions and events ( balance. )
So she can have a treat
I do the same with my kiddos
But they can have a pop , candy, once in a while ,

Elizabeth - posted on 05/16/2011

i let my kids have sweets just not on a daily basis and damn i would never give my kid have mountain dew either it has way to much sugar in my opinion it has the most sugar than any drink out their

Amanda - posted on 05/16/2011

you are not wrong! There is not any nutritional value, and as long as you can you should prevent her from having these things! You are the parent, and you know what is best for your child!

April - posted on 05/16/2011

my daughter has sweets in moderation. she has a HUGE sweet tooth and if the family is having dessert, i give her a small portion. As far a candy bars and soft drinks, i think its horrible for anybody and if i dont eat or drink it, she wont either. I think in life, as parents, we can be too hard on our children and i think it can backfire in the long run. If you eat something sweet in front of your child, i think you should be able to give them a little bit and teach them how to eat in moderation and teach them about their health. Fast food and soft drinks are another story though because of the levels of MSG and sugar or even aspartame. it is unhealthy and should be VERY limited in a small childs boys... as well as our own body. Good luck, and if people want to give their children mountain dew thats their problem and they will deal with ADHD in the future. Take a stand for your child and what you know is best for them :)

Kasie - posted on 05/16/2011

Every parent has their own rules, if you don't want your daughter to have junk food than that's YOUR rule and no one should try to tell you it's wrong. I think you should stick to your guns, there is so much obesity in the U.S. and I don't like to give my son hardly any junk either. I actually haven't until Easter and my son is almost 10 months, they don't need the junk food. I'm not saying it's wrong to give them junk food, just that every parent needs to parent their own children and leave it at that. I don't think you're wrong. That would piss me off if that happened to me.

Lindsay - posted on 05/16/2011

You have EVERY riht to be really pissed. She doesn't respect your wishes or your parenting style. Which would be fine if she was never around your kid. Make a point to her that you know what's best for your daughter. Whatever she does with her kids is her business but she needs to respect your rules. I had a similar situation with my fiance's aunt at my daughter's 1st bday party. Even though my daughter was holding her sippy cup that I had filled with diluted juice, the aunt felt it her right to let her chug a soda because it was her birthday. She just turned 1!!! And when I reminded the stupid aunt that I'd already supplied an appropriate drink for her age she had the audacity to say, "Oh God, poor Alyssa. Mommy's gonna keep her from everything fun her whole life." I was so super pissed off it took everything I had not to call her an 'A-hole' in front of the guests. You are doing what you know is right. Never let ANYONE make you second guess yourself. Your daughter will one day thank you for trying your best to keep her healthy and teaching her to make healthy choices. Your SIL will be the one wondering, "Did I enable my child to develop obesity problems, or even worse DIABETES!"
Rest assured, you are RIGHT! And probably usually are ;)

Jenna - posted on 05/16/2011

In all honesty, it doesn't MATTER what they want to do. As a parent, it's YOUR decision to give them whatever you want, and it's up to YOU for what they can't have. My Mother in law gives my bub cheese biscuits knowing full well that he's lactose intolerant and he'll get diarrhoea.

Amanda - posted on 05/16/2011

I'm not too particular with my 2 year old daughter having junk food, but I would be really upset if a family member gave her Mountain Dew! She gets sweets in moderation, and she eats cheesies and chips sometimes but she usually asks for fruit or yogurt for snacks. I have on occasion given her a sip of pop but never anything with caffeine in it! And certainly not from a sippy cup! My aunt actually let my daughter take a sip of Pepsi from her cup once, and I told her never to do it again. She's much too young, and there is no need for it! It's my decision! My brother and his girlfriend let their daughter (who is about the same age as mine) eat candy and drunk pop as much as she wants, and honestly I hates to see it....

Tristin - posted on 05/16/2011

No! Stick to how you are raising your child. I have 2 kids. My daughter is 4 and my son is 3. I still do not give them junk. A couple chips now and then. But I didn't give them anything when they were 2. To me sweets and junk food are like drugs for little lids. They go crazy when they have sugar!! Lol
I say, you keep doing what you are doing. Voice your concerns to everyone who is or will be around your daughter so that they know what to give andcwgat not to hive her.
Pop, for little kids? Now that's crazy!!!

Maigan - posted on 05/16/2011

I think no matter what you decide for your child that no-one should step in and do different. No matter what you decide, SHE IS YOUR DAUGHTER and no one else has any right to do what his sister did. Whether she agrees with you or not, it is not her place to do do that. I would be furious! And anyone who gives their 17 month old crap like that is going to regret it later. It's terrible for their teeth at such a young age, plus it's not healthy for the child and also that child is always going to want sweets. That's just asking for an obese child, giving them that kind of sugar so young. No, I think you are doing just fine and if she wants to do something like that, just to be funny (or for any reason) then I wouldn't bring my child around her anymore. And if she's 30, she needs to act her age.

Carla - posted on 05/16/2011

Nope - I'm the same way with my daughter. She almost 2 and we don't have pop or chips or cookies at home. She can have little bites as special treats - but she's so unused to sugar that she doesn't eat much even if I gave her more. It's your daughter - and if someone gives her something I wouldn't make a big deal about it. In the mountain dew situation I would probably do something like say - ok, one more sip and then mommy wants you to have juice, ok? The pop thing is definitely not cool, and it's too bad this person didn't respect your wishes or ask you ahead of time. I would definitely stick with what you are doing. Sweet every now and then doesn't hurt, but it's creating bad habits that you want to stay away from, and it sounds like you're doing a good job!

Liz - posted on 05/16/2011

This is a problem I see over and over and over again, on every single parenting forum I visit.

It seems like a lot of people get some kind of perverse thrill from giving kids sweets behind their parents' back. It's like, tee hee, look what I gave your kid.

I don't know what it's about, but it's weird.