What’s Eating Our Kids? Fears About ‘Bad’ Foods

March 2, 2009 · Filed Under Health

The New York Times has a story about children who are becoming fearful of “bad food” because of parents who overemphasize the importance of eating healthy. While we eat mostly organic food and very little meat, we do not restrict any foods from our children’s diet. We want them to be familiar with all kinds of foods out there and not be fearful, but know the difference between what’s good and what’s ok in moderation (i.e. cookies, chocolate, pizza, etc.) . My sister, on the other hand, is almost paranoid when it comes to her only son’s diet. If it’s conventional food (non-organic) it’s almost poisonous in her eyes.

Is this a good thing, or the start of an unhealthy attitude towards food?

While scarcely any expert would criticize parents for paying attention to children’s diets, many doctors, dietitians and eating disorder specialists worry that some parents are becoming overzealous, even obsessive, in efforts to engender good eating habits in children. With the best of intentions, these parents may be creating an unhealthy aura around food.

via What’s Eating Our Kids? Fears About ‘Bad’ Foods – NYTimes.com.

photo credit: Lotzman Katzman