Throughout my life, I have struggled with my relationship with food and my body, much like many individuals. My journey began at the tender age of 12 when I first embarked on a diet, following the low-fat trends of the early ’90s. I consumed entire boxes of fat-free cookies and oversized bowls of sugary cereal while committing to an intense daily routine of sit-ups.
During my freshman year in college, I stood in front of the mirror one day and became disheartened by my reflection. My desire to be thin morphed into an obsession; I longed for a frail appearance, wanting to see my ribs and hip bones. I resorted to discarding all food from my dorm, surviving on a mere grape soda each day. My gym sessions stretched to two hours, driven by an overwhelming need to shed pounds.
However, my drastic measures caught the attention of a friend who intervened. She insisted on taking me to the food court, where she made sure I ate rice and vegetables. This pivotal moment marked the start of my recovery from extreme dieting, and while I occasionally slipped back into unhealthy eating patterns, I never again went long stretches without food. I had developed a troubling skill for ignoring my body’s hunger signals.
As I reflect on those times, I cannot help but cringe. My family instilled in me the notion of finishing everything on my plate, which often led me to ignore my body’s cues to stop eating. I was left pondering how to prevent my children from experiencing a similar tumultuous relationship with food.
Over the years, my perspective on food has shifted positively. While I still grapple occasionally with emotional eating, I no longer starve myself. Nowadays, I view food through a nutritional lens, recognizing my body as a vital vessel that deserves care. I encourage my children to adopt a similar mindset by emphasizing nutrition over appearance. I often say things like, “Eat your veggies first; they’re packed with nutrients,” and “If you feel full, it’s perfectly fine to stop eating.”
We do indulge in sweets from time to time, but I tread carefully as my children have a genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes. Thus, I emphasize the importance of understanding how our bodies process sugars and the benefits of consuming mostly whole foods.
Yet, my concern lingers that they might misconstrue my guidance, falling into the same disordered eating traps I once faced. Recently, I discovered an Instagram account that has significantly influenced my approach to discussing food with my kids—@kids.eat.in.color. This account is a treasure trove of non-shaming, body-positive advice for parents aiming to foster a healthy relationship with food for their children.
What sets this account apart is its focus on practical, positive language surrounding nutrition, devoid of any references to body size. The content resonates with me and aligns with my goals for teaching my children. One engaging graphic even humorously suggests “disgusted” as a valid portion size, highlighting that it’s okay for a child to taste something and decide they don’t want more.
The entire account prioritizes healthy eating while entirely removing shame from the equation. It has reinvigorated my commitment to discussing food in a nourishing context with my children—one that I also strive to apply to myself, as I occasionally find myself reverting to negative thought patterns. Cultivating a healthy relationship with food is a journey that my children and I will continue to navigate together.
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Summary:
This article discusses the importance of fostering a positive relationship with food in children, highlighting a helpful Instagram account that promotes healthy eating without shame. The author shares personal experiences and emphasizes teaching children about nutrition while being mindful of genetic predispositions to health conditions.
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