Raised On Veggies

Why I Don’t Label Foods “Good” or “Bad”

by

Pin0
Label Foods "Good" or "Bad"

Feeding kids can be difficult. We want them to eat nutritious foods that will help their bodies grow, while also raising confident eaters that have a healthy relationship to food. One thing I no longer do is label foods “good” or “bad.”

“SUGAR IS POISON”

One evening at the dinner table my father-in-law said “Sugar is poison.” Without skipping a beat, my 3-year-old indignantly exclaimed “Sugar is NOT poison!” We all erupted in laughter because she has a bit of a sweet tooth. But of course she was right, sugar is not poison.  

So I responded to my sweet child by assuring her exactly that. Sugar is not poison. Sugar is a food that makes things taste sweet. It’s in foods she enjoys like cake and cookies.

But it got me thinking about what we say and how that affects our children. I hear these types of statements a lot:

Sugar is poison

Processed foods are bad for you

Chips are junk food

The average adult understands the meaning of these statements. Eaten in excessive amounts, over a long period of time, typically in combination with other negative health behaviors, these eating habits may cause some people to suffer negative health consequences such as diabetes, heart disease, and possibly certain types of cancer.

We know that a diet filled with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and beans is important to our health. We also know that too much saturated fat, refined sugar, and processed foods should be limited.

And we understand it’s about moderation. Specific nutrients aren’t to blame. The problem isn’t sugar, or gluten, or refined four. It’s a person’s overall diet and lifestyle.

However children don’t understand this when they hear “Sugar is poison” or “Chips are junk food.”

Label Foods "Good" or "Bad"

A CHILD’S PERSPECTIVE: LABELING FOODS “GOOD” OR “BAD”

When we label foods “good” or “bad” or “healthy” and “unhealthy” children may feel they are good or bad or healthy or unhealthy when they eat these foods. Turning certain foods into bad foods, may even lead children to engage in unhealthy behaviors like restricting or binging on these foods, especially when mom and dad aren’t around. Or it may lead them to diet at an early age.  

I don’t want my daughter to feel bad or be ashamed about eating ice cream if she wants to. I want her to enjoy each and every bite.

The same goes with “good” or “healthy” food. I don’t want her to eat vegetables because she thinks it makes her good, or because she wants to please me, or because if she does so she will get dessert. I want her to eat them because she likes the taste. Because her body is telling her to and because eating them makes her feel good.

FOOD IS JUST FOOD

I don’t label foods “good” or “bad.” Instead I want my child to learn that food is just food. They can all fit, it’s about balance. I want her to listen to what her body is telling her. I want her to eat when she is hungry and stop when she is full without worry, or judgment, or shame.

Label Foods "Good" or "Bad"

BUT AREN’T SOME FOODS BETTER THAN OTHERS?

Yes, some foods are better for our bodies than others. My daughter is 3 and at this moment I’d like her to enjoy a wide variety of foods and have a healthy relationship with food.

Right now, we eat almost all of our meals together at home. I follow the Division of Responsibility and what that means is that I choose what is served and when it is served. She decides what she will eat and how much.

I serve a plant-based diet at home. We eat mainly fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and beans. But we also enjoy refined grains, chips, cookies and ice cream too. I don’t mention that one food is superior to another. I don’t comment at all.

In a couple years I will talk to her about how some foods do a lot for our bodies while others do only a little. I will tell her that broccoli helps keep her immune system strong, makes her bones strong, and helps her learn. I will explain that foods like cake and cookies and ice cream give her some quick energy, but that is gone soon.  

When she gets bigger she will be in school full time and will start eating more and more of her meals away from me. I hope by this time she has learned to trust herself and her body. That she feels good whether she chooses chips and a burrito for lunch or a salad. I hope she doesn’t judge herself based on her food choices, or what her body looks like, and I hope she doesn’t judge other people on these things either.

For more information about raising a healthy eater, see my post on The Division of Responsibility: Feeding Your Child

What about you? How do you talk about foods in your house? Do you label foods “good” or “bad”?

Subscribe! SIGN UP TO RECEIVE FREE BLOG POSTS RIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. joe biden we just did

    A person essentially help to make severely posts I would state.
    This is the very first time I frequented your website page and
    to this point? I amazed with the research you made to make this particular put up extraordinary.
    Excellent activity!

  2. Ashton

    We’re a bunch of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community.
    Your site offered us with helpful info to work on.
    You’ve done an impressive process and our whole neighborhood will probably be
    thankful to you.

  3. Useful Summer Skincare Tips

    I simply desired to appreciate you all over again. I do not know what I might have
    accomplished in the absence of the entire advice contributed
    by you regarding my concern. It was a real traumatic problem in my position, however ,
    taking note of this professional style you processed that
    took me to cry for contentment. Extremely thankful for this assistance and then expect you really know what
    an amazing job that you are doing training most people with
    the aid of your webpage. I am certain you haven’t come across all
    of us.

    My website :: Useful Summer Skincare Tips

  11. Kayleigh

    It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
    I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest
    you few interesting things or advice. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article.
    I wish to read even more things about it!

  12. Battery Assembly Line

    I will right away snatch your rss feed as I can’t to find your e-mail subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service.
    Do you have any? Kindly let me recognize
    in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.

  13. headlamp guys

    Hello! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform
    are you using for this site? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform.
    I would be fantastic if you could point me
    in the direction of a good platform.

  14. https://geegram.net/FinleyLovejoy

    Heya! I know this is sort of off-topic but I needed to ask.
    Does running a well-established website such as yours
    require a massive amount work? I am brand new to operating a blog but I do
    write in my journal daily. I’d like to start a blog so I will be
    able to share my experience and thoughts online. Please let me know if you have
    any recommendations or tips for new aspiring blog owners.
    Thankyou!

    Here is my blog post: https://geegram.net/FinleyLovejoy

  16. SelfCam Pro

    Hello! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new
    initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us
    valuable information to work on. You have done a outstanding job!

    Feel free to surf to my web blog – SelfCam Pro

  17. 美国邮寄中国

    You really make it seem really easy together
    with your presentation however I find this topic
    to be really one thing that I think I might never understand.
    It sort of feels too complicated and very vast for me. I am taking a
    look forward to your subsequent submit, I’ll attempt to get the cling
    of it!

  18. Self Cam Pro

    Great ? I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your site.
    I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs and related info ended up
    being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all.
    Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything,
    website theme . a tones way for your client to communicate.
    Excellent task.

    my blog; Self Cam Pro

  19. Self Cam Pro Reviews

    I want to show my appreciation to you for rescuing me from such a situation. Just after researching through the the web
    and seeing strategies which were not beneficial, I believed my entire life was done.

    Being alive without the answers to the problems you have
    fixed by way of your website is a critical case, as
    well as the kind that would have badly damaged my entire career if
    I had not come across your web blog. Your personal ability and
    kindness in touching everything was important. I am not sure what I would’ve done if I hadn’t discovered such a
    step like this. I’m able to at this moment relish my future.
    Thanks for your time so much for the impressive and sensible help.
    I will not be reluctant to endorse the website to anybody who should have recommendations on this area.

    Also visit my blog post Self Cam Pro Reviews

  27. Sierra CBD

    Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favorite reason seemed
    to be on the net the easiest thing to be aware of.
    I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people consider worries that they plainly
    do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people
    can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more.
    Thanks

    Also visit my page Sierra CBD

  28. Silencil Pills

    I was curious if you ever thought of changing the page layout of
    your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got
    to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so
    people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having
    1 or two pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?

    My page: Silencil Pills

  32. http://ceremonycbd.net/

    Hello outstanding website! Does running a blog such as this require a great deal of work?
    I have absolutely no expertise in programming however I had been hoping to start my own blog
    in the near future. Anyhow, should you have any ideas or techniques for
    new blog owners please share. I know this is off topic nevertheless I simply
    wanted to ask. Many thanks!

    My web page – http://ceremonycbd.net/

  36. 먹튀사이트

    Definitely believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the net the easiest thing to
    be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people think
    about worries that they just do not know about.
    You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined
    out the whole thing without having side effect , people could
    take a signal. Will probably be back to get more.
    Thanks

    Have a look at my website: 먹튀사이트

  46. http://cognimaxpills.com/

    It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d most certainly donate to
    this excellent blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and
    adding your RSS feed to my Google account.

    I look forward to new updates and will talk about this website with my Facebook group.
    Talk soon!

    Feel free to visit my site … http://cognimaxpills.com/

  52. Reagan

    Its like you read my mind! Youu appear to know a lot approximately this, like you wrote the
    e-book in it or something. I believe that
    you could do with a few percent to force the message house a bit, but instead of that, that is
    great blog. A gresat read. I’ll certainly be
    back.

    Also visit my website :: online vocal lessons (Reagan)

  55. Monroe Sieloff

    Red wine lovers will be delighted to know that red wine includes a a lot more balanced taste with turkey. The light fruity sorts, like the Pinot Noirs, and Merlots have a tendency to blend nicely with turkey, and offset the heavy turkey meal.

  57. Sonia

    ｙou’rｅ reɑlly а jᥙst rіght webmaster. Ƭhe site loading pace іs amazing.
    It sort of feels that yοu агe ɗoing any unique trick.
    Ϝurthermore, The contents are masterwork. you’ve done а wonderful process іn thіs topic!

    Aⅼs᧐ visit my web pagе: buying tickets (Sonia)

  58. Lucy

    Howdy! Woᥙld you mind if І share your blog ᴡith my twitter
    groᥙρ? There’s a lot of people that Ӏ think would rｅally
    apprecіate your content. Plеase ⅼet me know.
    Ƭhank you

    Alѕo visit my ⲣage: tea shop – Lucy –

  59. Lakesha

    What a informаtion of un-ambiguity аnd preserveness ᧐f precious experience оn the topic օf unexpected
    feelings.

    Feel free tо visit mү web ρage: hair removal,
    Lakesha,

  61. Bruno

    If some one needs to be updated with newest technologies after that he must be pay a quick visit
    this web page and be up to date everyday.

  62. Jeanette

    Simply want to say your article is as astonishing.
    The clearness in your post is simply nice and i can assume you’re
    an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me
    to grab your feed to keep up to date with
    forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the enjoyable work.

  67. Bernadine

    Asking questions are genuinely fastidious thing if you are not understanding anything entirely, except
    this paragraph gives good understanding even.

%d bloggers like this: