Let’s face it. The world is revolving. Times are changing. Fast food joints are slowly depleting. Healthy food joins are quickly exploding. People are getting healthier. They hit the gym, reduce their carbs, start stir-frying instead of deep-frying their food. I gotta say, it’s impressive. People have started becoming more concerned about health, looking good and fitness. I mean, look at what everyone eats now! Quinoa, red rice, wheat bread, unsalted butter, agave, organic cookies and what not. Go on instagram and be completely piled up in health accounts, diet food recipes, rock-hard abs and motivational quotes.
I recently joined the crew by purchasing quinoa rice, which I have to admit, is pretty good. Keeps you full for couple hours before you crave for a snack (and I’m pretty sure apples are more popular than cookies as an option). There’s a whole load of organic food as well, organic vegetables, cookies, flour and loads more.
I was recently in the organic section of the supermarket when I met a mom with her infant, a 4 year-old boy with the cutest eyes! I picked up my usual stash and got into a conversation with her, who asked me about my food options. After what seemed like a short conversation, she mentioned that she does not feed her son with any sugar. I mean, literally. No candies, no chocolates, no sugary cereals like koko krunch, no chocolate-strawberry milk, no ice-cream, zilch. She feeds him with vegetables, fruits (limited to low-sugar ones too), homemade juices and beat this: no carbs too. No rice, no bread, no pasta. As a replacement, the kid eats quinoa or red rice.
I left the place feeling…sad. I remember as a kid, I needed a reward for every time my lunch had greens in it. Broccoli and rice, and a small bar of chocolate after. If I had my fish n peas, I’d be allowed a small candy. I’m sure everyone had a similar experience as a kid. And I think we turned out okay.
What I have seen recently, is that, people tend to overdo it. Sure, you wanna be skinny like a stick and healthy as an Olympic athlete, whatever works for you. But stealing that wondrous opportunity from your kid to truly be a kid, is not fair. Every child deserves to walk in a candy store and feel like heaven. They learn to be appreciative when they wait for an ice-cream truck which finally came after a very green lunch. What happens when you take it all away from them? They grow up and splurge on lots of cake in a friend’s birthday party with the reason “I’m not allowed to have sugar at home. Please don’t tell mom”.
Putting an extremely strong whip around your kid is dangerous. Remember what happens to a horse when it is held so tightly. Loosen up a little and he runs away. Hold the horse loosely from the beginning and it stays with you throughout.
I remember the best part of my childhood. Coming home from school and having a sip of coke from my dad. But when I’ve had too much sugar that day, I’d come and say, “I had my share today. Tomorrow is good”.
I’m out, folks. Let your kid live on the edge a little, yes?
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