Breaking the Toxic (Food) Cycle

When my eyes were opened to how toxic many ingredients were, navigating the grocery store became a nightmare - especially with young children. 

Companies have gotten really intentional about marketing crap products to our children with the most eye catching boxes with fun characters or even commonly known characters contain ingredients that wreck their sweet little bodies. 

In our family, honesty is the best policy - so when my children began asking for the packages that are so intentionally marketed to them - mama started educating her children on label reading. 

We began discussing how God created food to fuel our bodies and what food has become over the years.  We also play a game where I will look up any ingredient they choose and teach them the side effects while we are in the store. They love it - and I will say, the people who walk past us either smile and are so impressed or are so confused as to what the heck I’m doing. Also, it’s a little awkward when I’m teaching them the harmful effects of the foods and another mother side eyes me and grabs a box to hand to their kids…yes, that really does happen - and I have zero judgment here, but it is awkward - so decide how spicy you’re feeling prior to playing the game with your kids!

The key to educating children on nutrition isn’t to point out everything they can’t have, it’s to point out how it effects their body and then provide a solution that could reach a common goal without harming them. 

Kids are so smart and they will understand what you’re teaching them if you lay a solid foundation.  They aren’t going to want to fill their bodies with junk if they understand fully how the foods affect them and makes them feel. 

In the same respect, children learn from watching their parents… so if you’re teaching them that something doesn’t serve their bodies and then you eat it in front of them, it’s going to send a mixed message. 

A well meaning “no” without proper context is where I see many parents falling into battles with their littles (and bigs depending on when you start). Children have the same questions adults do when it comes to learning new things. They want to understand what’s going on. If someone told me I couldn’t eat something, my first question would be - “well, why not? What’s wrong with it?” And so would a child’s… 

“No, we don’t eat cereal - you can’t have that.” without any further explanation will likely lead to resentment and a confused understanding of nutrition. 

But a response like, “Oh that box does look fun and this picture does look yummy! Let’s turn it over and see what ingredients they used. Oh no! Red dye, Blue Dye, 4 different names of sugar and TBHQ! Do you remember what those do to our bodies?” Followed by a conversation with them where you answer their questions will likely have a different outcome. 

And I see you over there wondering - well Jen, I have no idea what any of those things do in the body to even teach my kids any different. I will counter you with this…

The very device you are reading this on has the ability to connect you to all of those answers 😉

I couldn’t write a blog post long enough to tackle every single sketchy ingredient you’ll find on the shelves - but you have all of the tools you need in your hands to take a little extra time and look it up. 

An easy search to plug in us: “harmful effects of ____(insert ingredient)____. 

Breaking the cycle of uneducated food consumption is going to take a little elbow grease from you as you lead your family to a more nutrient dense life - at times it may feel overwhelming. But trust me when I say this, you won’t regret the effort you put into it when you look at your families quality of life increasing and you realize the ripple effect you are having on generations to come.

A solid rule of thumb we use is: If we don’t know what the ingredient is, we look it up and share it with each other (knowledge is power). That keeps us accountable for what foods we are allowing into our homes together.

Now, with all of that being said, I will also share here that I am a firm believer in the 80/20 philosophy of living life and enjoying foods. Creating a solid foundation for nutrition in your home will leave your children with a home base that is healing and restorative. Just like Adam and Eve had free will, your kiddos do too… build them on a strong foundation, and educate them so that the choices they are making aren’t out of ignorance. Enjoying treats or eating out at restaurants is part of the 20. It’s OKAY! Learn how to listen to what your body is telling you and teach your family to do the same!

On the same note - it’s up to you to be honest with yourself if your 80/20 lifestyle is starting to be more 50/50 or even 20/80. Those are personal accountability checks that you’re going to have to put into place based on what work best for your family and your health goals.

I know myself very well - and with that being said, July is hardly ever an 80/20 month for me because I’m busy going all out celebrating my birthday and eating all the sweet treats. I’m not saying this is right, I’m just saying this is where I’m at! It’s okay to know what you know AND live a little. Like all things - just do it in moderation!

I will also note - it’s been incredible to watch my two pick and choose what foods they want to put into their bodies and which ones they don’t when they understand what it does to them and how it makes them feel. Children will make their own choices in life, but it’s our job to educate them on nutrition and create a baseline model for them to navigate their decisions.