Courtney from Journey of a Dreamer posted an interesting article this morning on Facebook. It was about children getting junk food no matter where they go. The article titled “Why Is Everyone Always Giving My Kids Junk Food?” The Article was posted on US News Health. This is a topic that is talked about a lot in our house. Almost every play date, church gathering, party, family visit, etc  that Zoe has been on, she is given candy, cookies, chips, etc. At home she doesn’t get these as snacks. She eats fruits, veggies, yogurt, peanut butter, and cottage cheese typically.

I reposted the article on Facebook and of course got bombarded with messages of how these junk food items are fine in moderation. How I am taking away from Zoe’s childhood by restricting her diet. I obviously disagree. We do not keep junk food in the house. We believe that teaching her healthy choices now is beneficial. It does get hard though. She knows what junk food is and does like it! It doesn’t help that all of the companies market the junk towards children. Everywhere you look, there is cartoon characters and toys with everything! Zoe sees stuff like this at the store and of course she wants it!

I get frustrated because I do not want Zoe getting artificial colors, flavors, and all the chemical crap that is in processed food! I find it funny that the government is always restricting the supplement industry, but not the food industry. This boggles me greatly. As parents I think it is our job to protect our children and teach them to make the right choices.

I think what troubles me the most is seemingly being attacked for trying to do what I believe is right for our child.  So many try to make us feel bad for not always allowing Zoe to indulge. I know my child and she behaves differently after getting certain things. She also doesn’t feel well after eating junk food. Why would I want to allow her to make herself sick? It is hard on Josh and I to be labeled as the strict parents or hear others whisper that we don’t let Zoe do anything. She does get occasional treats, just as we do. We just do not keep junk in our house or make this a regular thing.

It is funny so many think I push my healthy lifestyle on everyone, but we feel there are junk food pushers on every corner everywhere we go.

I personally believe that teaching her healthy habits now will keep her from making poor choices when she is older. Josh and I were both junk food kids. He has struggled with his weight most of his life. He loves junk food and is the first to admit it, but like me strives to set an example for our daughter. I was raised with several overweight family members who had a list of health problems. These things scared me as a child. I stayed super active, but was unaware that food was the main cause of my families pain.

I don’t want Zoe to have the struggles her father or I have had. We stick to clean healthy snacks for her and she does like them. She picks out her own snacks as well as helps make them. She loves to get her plastic knife out and “cut” up broccoli and cheese chunks.

Sorry to vent this morning, I just get frustrated. I am not the “mean mom” that so many label me as. I just want my daughter to have ever benefit in this life that I can offer her. Raising her to make healthy choices is one of the best things I feel I can do for her. I have no problem if others want to eat junk. I just do not want that for my family.

I advise everyone to educate themselves on what your family is truly eating. There are several articles listed here to get you started!

1. Are Junk Food Manufacturers The New Tobacco Companies?
2. The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food
3. The Scary Truth About Food Coloring
4. 5 Things To Never Feed Your Children
5. Danger to Children From Food and Drink Additives Is Exposed

These articles are just a very small fraction of what you can find if you do the research. I say stand up to the bullies who push junk on your family! I want my family to be healthy, happy, and active!

Hope you all have a fabulously fit Saturday!!!! xoxox