How often do Moms say "do as I say not as I do"? They're trying to keep children safe and prevent them picking up their own bad habits! Moms have lots of rules with regard to their children's food intake but how often do we pay attention to these rules and follow them ourselves?
Mommy rule 1 "Try new foods - even just a little bit"
Moms constantly urge children to 'just try one bite - you might like it' but often find themselves eating the same things week after week.
Break out of the habit of always buying the same old things at the store. Look at the shelf above or below where you pick up your regular fruits and veg and select something you've never tried before! There is tons of information on the internet to tell you how to cook with new ingredients.
Mommy rule 2 "Don't snack before mealtimes - it will ruin your appetite"
It's getting near dinner time and your little one is getting under your feet whining that they're hungry and begging for a cookie to keep them going till dinner's ready.
If you find yourself hungry as you prepare a meal, drink a glass of water or chew some chewing gum so you don't nibble! If you have found yourself nibbling as you cook - make sure to reduce your meal portion to account for it.
Mommy rule 3 "One cookie/candy is more than enough"
Children would eat the whole packet if we let them - but we don't - right? We're concerned about their teeth for one thing!
Same rule applies to grown ups! OK so on the packet it says 'serving size 3 cookies' but that doesn't mean you have to eat 3! The cookie company want you to eat 3 so you'll get through the packet quicker and buy more! 3 cookies may only be 'a 100 calorie snack!' but that's 100 empty calories and you'd be better getting your 100 calories from a piece of fruit which is packed with nutrition!
It's unrealistic to think people will never eat cookies or candies but for the sake of our health we must learn to limit intake of these foods.
Mommy rule 4 "You don't have to clear your plate"
You may be thinking "Huh? I thought it was you DO have to clear your plate?" News flash - you DON"T! Ideally children (and grown ups!) should be eating at least a bit of everything on their plate to get a variety of nutrients but you should stop when you feel full! Start with the veggies as they are lowest in calories but pack the biggest punch regarding goodness, then eat some of the protein (meat/fish/chicken/beans) and carbohydrate (bread/rice/potato/pasta) but when you feel satisfied - stop eating. Either keep the extra for another meal the next day or discard it but don't feel obliged to eat it all!
Our appetite varies day to day depending what activity we have done and what else we have eaten so portion sizes required will also vary. Children in particular have excellent appetite regulation and as long as they've eaten some of everything on their plate they shouldn't be forced to finish as this will over-ride their natural ability to regulate their intake (of course if they haven't eaten dinner DO NOT give in to hunger pleas and replace it with a sweet treat minutes later! - this is a whole other post topic!)
Mommy really does know best - we just have to listen and follow her advice!
