What about the others...?

[cragsdale]

While my husband and I am on Atkins (induction currently) I am making food for us and then food for our kids. Nothing to drastic, but my kids still have carb filled sides, bread, ect. I must say their diet is much better now than before with them eating the fresh veggies ect. like us. But I don't think taking away carbs is good for the kids. They really still need them, especially since all out children could stand to even put on a little weight. But last night I made a small induction-friendly cheese cake and let the kids try. Then after I thought about it, I wondered if I should be letting the kids who aren't on Atkins eat such a fatty food. With the whipping cream and cream cheese ect, it's got a pretty high fat content for a small desert. For future reference, should I make them a desert with less fat in the future? Or is the occasional fat filled one okay? What does everyone else do for the kids while on Atkins?

[ValidRouge]

Re: What about the others...?

I don't have kids full time. I have a stepson on weekends.

IMO kids DO NOT NEED JUNK CARBS. Whole grains? Yes. (Brown rice, products made from whole wheat, whole oats, etc.) Legumes? Yes. Fruits? Yes. Vegetables? Yes. Dairy Products? Yes. Even Starchy Vegetables? Yes, in moderation.

Do they need white flour pasta, bread, deep fried french fries, etc. etc.? NO.

Basically, could your family not benefit from eating Atkins maintenance and limiting the junk foods? Or, even eat from the food pyramid given by the USDA, but still cut out the junk food?

Once again IMO, sugar is EVIL, white flour is EVIL and no one NEEDS it including, maybe even especially, children.

[Heidi3]

Re: What about the others...?

simple answer your kids should eat like you will on maintenance ..they should not have processed or refined foods ...no white bread, white rice or pasta and no sugar (they are going to hate me for that!) ...whole grains fresh fruits and veggies and home made food

[Heidi3]

Re: What about the others...?

Lol Joy We Ran Over Eachother!!!

[not2late]

Re: What about the others...?

I don't have children, but my god children and young relatives stay over weekends or have dinner with me. When they do, they eat alot more nutritious foods than they do at their homes: more veggies, no soda, no refined grains, no fruit juices, no processed foods.

Dessert at my house is fruit and cheese. Whipped cream, if I ever serve it, is limited to 1 dollop (about 2 tablespoons). I don't want them to like fruit only when it's smeared with whipped cream.

[changing]

Re: What about the others...?

Children for the vast majority of human history did not eat pasta, french fries, or instant oatmeal. They didn't drink orange juice or Coke. And they certainly didn't eat Frosted Flakes or Happy Meals.

I don't think it's a coincidence that as processed foods have dominated our diet more and more every year in modern times, childhood type 2 diabetes rates have been skyrocketing.

[sadie147]

Re: What about the others...?

Children for the vast majority of human history did not eat pasta, french fries, or oatmeal. They didn't drink orange juice or Coke. And they certainly didn't eat Frosted Flakes or Happy Meals.

I don't think it's a coincidence that as processed foods have dominated our diet more and more every year in modern times, childhood type 2 diabetes rates have been skyrocketing.

I agree, however I do think that real oatmeal (not the instant kind) is a good addition to a childs (and adults) diet.

[changing]

Re: What about the others...?

Oh yeah, I meant instant oatmeal with the sugar blends added to it... methinks I should go edit that in.

[ttdriver]

Re: What about the others...?

I could NOT agree more with CHANGING.



Betty

[Kent]

Re: What about the others...?

I am probably less strict with my kids' diet, which is somewhat the opposite of my diet, somewhat due my not wanting them to get hung up on food. I work at getting them healthy eating habits i.e. not the constant snacking or grazing in the kitchen, every meal does not need a dessert, or sugar does not need to go on everything. I don't restrict however pasta, whole grain breads, or even some sugared cereals from their diet. My thoughts are healthy habits and exercise, which I admit I fail at engaging them as much as I should, is how I try my best with my kids.

[vJosie]

Re: What about the others...?

Personally, Cassi, I think you make a very good point. Our bodies burn carbs first before burning the fats. Your kids are eating the carbs therefore not burning as much of the fat from the cheesecake as you are. They have youth on their side and I think they can afford the extra fat once in a while, but on the whole, even Dr. A emphasized that dairy fats should be monitored. So the key is not to avoid giving them the cheesecake, but it's something none of you should be having on a regular basis. Moderation, right? The good thing is that they are eating cheesecake without sugar instead of a sugary Mrs. Fields defrosted cheesecake.

[Momtofour]

Re: What about the others...?

My kids have the occasional unhealthy food, but for the most part they are eating a maintanance diet. They eat the fruit and whole grains. I started them on whole weat bread a few months ago. No complaints at all until yesterday. My daughter said "When are we going to have white bread in the house again?" I said "NEVER" That was all that was said and she made her sandwich and went on with making lunch.

About the cheesecake, my kids have it and I don't worry about it. I only make it about once every 6 weeks, so it really isn't an issue.

[not2late]

Re: What about the others...?

Josie and Mom are correct. Moderation is key. Last night I was watching "Dateline NBC". It was about obesity and the fast food industry. They had a panel of obese people (and their obese children) give their 2 cents about fast food. Some of the points they made were 1. the ingredients of the food should be available to them, 2. the companies should provide them with nutritional information before they order the food, 3. they don't go to McDonald's to eat salad or apple slices, and 4. they took no personal responsibility for eating there 3 times a day 7 days a week nor did they take any responsibility for choosing the foods they did or eating the amounts they did. On their first 2 points, I agree nutritional information and ingredients should be available (and most fast food places have their nutritional info and ingredients available on the website, so if you look, you will find that information). Their third point was true, but it also showed to me that you can provide these people with nutritional info, ingredients lists, and have a big sign with flashing neon lights that eating food (any food) can make you gain weight and they will still order the same food, eat the same amount and continue on their merry way. And that leads to their fourth point: accountability. Having a sweet dessert once in a while isn't a bad thing. But when that once in a while becomes daily or twice daily or if that sweet dessert is really 3 servings, then it becomes a bad thing.

Learning portion sizes/control is a good eating habit and that's the way to learn moderation.

[not2late]

Re: What about the others...?

Forgot to add....On Dateline they also had the VP from McDonald's. I agreed more with him than the obese panel. The VP said that McDonald's offers foods like fresh salads, so the consumer has a choice and it isn't up to McDonald's to make that choice for them. I agree with that. We are all in control of what we eat and drink and what our children eat and drink. So it's not Hershey's or Cadbury's fault we inhaled a box of chocolate five minutes ago and it's not Kraft's fault our children will only eat boxed macaroni and cheese.....

[dreamof145]

Re: What about the others...?

I also have my grand-kids quite often and I don't restrict their meals completely from carbs, they have healthy veggies (including potatoes and rice) instead of chips, sweets and other non-nutritious foods that they used to eat. I still fix them sandwiches with wheat bread, and there is always fruits available for them to snack on.