Brahbrah asked:


Two doctors I know (a researcher and a pediatrician) have just told me that, for children who are not overweight, sugar is completely harmless aside from its effect on the teeth (which can be solved by brushing). They let their very slim toddler eat as much chocolate, ice cream, and other sweets as he likes, since obesity is not an issue for him. In fact, they encourage him to eat these things, since in addition to sugar, the foods are high in fats, which they (perhaps correctly) believe he needs. I don’t disagree with them about the fats (for a skinny toddler), but I thought sugar was bad. I thought it led to diabetes and perhaps other problems, but they say no, it doesn’t. Obesity and genetics lead to diabetes, and without those things, there is no danger.

My worldview has totally been shifted. Should skinny people really eat all the sugar they want? Big bowlfuls? No problem?

Annie

ELIZABETH asked:


First off I think their is nothing wrong with a child having certain foods in moderation but… Are their any moms here who delayed giving their toddler their first taste of very sugary or unhealthy food like chocolate, fried stuff, cake for the above reason? I recently heard that if you hold off completely on the ‘bad foods’ until your child is 3 yrs old they will have better eating habits when they are older, and won’t crave bad foods as much as most people because 0-3 yrs is when alot of the psychological/taste bud type developmental preferences happen, they would also have a less likely chance of developing diabetes/obesity etc

Makes sense to me. Do you think their is any truth to this?

Delores

greenisgoodbitch asked:


When I was a kid (and it wasn’t that long ago), I was forced to eat oatmeal, cream of wheat, or wheat bread every morning for breakfast- no sugar cereals. I was also encouraged to try different fruits, veggies, etc. I understand that toddlers have normal food “stages,” but why do so many parents have the long-term attitude of “As long as they’re eating”? It probably contributes to the obesity crisis and diabetes as well…

Evelyn

Sarah asked:


I know, I know- what’s it to me? I feed my kids how I choose, you feed your kids how you choose, right? Wrong. Your kids don’t have a voice, and don’t know that you are raising their risk of allergies, obesity, and diabetes. I feel someone needs to stick up for these poor babies & toddlers.

I do know that pediatricians recommend starting solids at four months. Mine recommended it. But doctors aren’t always right. It’s been the AAP’s recommendation for over 3 years now that babies receive NO solids before six months of age. Breastmilk or formula should be babies’ main source of nutrition for the entire first year! Not the first few months…

So, I’d honestly like to hear- why do parents still insist upon starting solids sooner?

Alex

ELIZABETH asked:


First off I think their is nothing wrong with a child having certain foods in moderation but… Are their any moms here who delayed giving their toddler their first taste of very sugary or unhealthy food like chocolate, fried stuff, cake for the above reason? I recently heard that if you hold off completely on the ‘bad foods’ until your child is 3 yrs old they will have better eating habits when they are older, and won’t crave bad foods as much as most people because 0-3 yrs is when alot of the psychological/taste bud type developmental preferences happen, they would also have a less likely chance of developing diabetes/obesity etc

Makes sense to me. Do you think their is any truth to this?

Karen

Change Sucks asked:


I can’t figure out where else to put this question, forgive me if it’s in the wrong place but it pertains directly to parents…
Why is it that society demonizes parents who malnurish/starve their kids BUT then at the same time we are supposed to turn a blind eye so we don’t offend parents who overfeed, causing small children to be sometimes upwards of 50 pounds or more overweight? Both are equally unhealthy, however the overweight child is more likely to just grow up and have many health problems-diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, etc and live with feeling like an outcast. Why do we treat either parent differently than the other? Both do severe damage to their children…
I’m just curious about your thoughts…

Thanks.
I have three children. By all means I let them have their share of “junk” foods, BUT, it’s in moderation. And yes, it’s hard to withstand the nagging of a child when they want another cookie, but I do because it’s not healthy to keep letting them have them… just saying because I think some would think I may not understand.
Also, in terms of the possibility that a child is just naturally “big boned”, that’s fine. But being a little more stocky is seperate from parents allowing their child to become overweight/obese.
As long as a parent feeds their child a predominantly healthy diet and their child gets daily activity/exercise, then there’s no beef. It’s the parents whose cart at the store is full of frozen pizzas, sodas, doritos, and fruit snacks with no sign of actual food and the parents and/or child is notably overweight.

Honestly, I’m not being insensitive, I’m genuinely curious.
I’m glad you pointed that out-not underweight in terms of being a little slim, but genuinely malnurished/starved.
Our youngest is actually VERY slim for her age/height. I actually try to feed her a little extra because it concerns me, but it’s not a medical problem. She’s just the way she is.

Both make me so sad to see/hear about. I trully believe both should be treated equally because both are equally dangerous, just in their own ways.
Pink-excellent point! Never thought of that… and it’s easier to force feed the underweight than to make drastic lifestyle changes when a person is overweight… wow, lightbulb moment!

Jessica