Eliminating processed carbs - for kids?

[Anonymous]

I think the problem is the word "carbs" is really overused. Carbohydrates are obviously vital for humans, and Atkins went way too far (people should not be afraid to eat bananas and carrots for god sake).

I think OP means she probably wants less crap in the house - sugary cereals, white bread, crackers, chips, cookies, baked goods.

"Adult" cereals are better choices (check the label, should have fiber, whole grain, and not a ton of sugar and salt), and things like real (not instant) oatmeal, whole wheat bread, brown rice, quinoa, etc. are better choices.

Fruits and vegetables should be a huge part of your grocery trip and diet, and as long as you aren't eating a bunch of crap and sugary drinks, you are probably okay.

[Anonymous]

"I think you should discuss this with your pediatrician. Can you reduce your carbs but not your daughtere's? If she's already very thin, you could be endangering her."

I don't know about this - my 95% weight DS eats mostly steel cut oatmeal, whole grain pancakes (homemade), high fiber cereal (his choice, we didn't suggest this one), brown rice, and 100% whole grain breads and cereals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"I think you should discuss this with your pediatrician. Can you reduce your carbs but not your daughtere's? If she's already very thin, you could be endangering her."

I don't know about this - my 95% weight DS eats mostly steel cut oatmeal, whole grain pancakes (homemade), high fiber cereal (his choice, we didn't suggest this one), brown rice, and 100% whole grain breads and cereals.

These are carbs. OP, you should reduce processed food and move towards whole grains. You daughter NEEDS CARBS--but she can get these through whole wheat bread, pasta, oatmeal. Potatoes (not fried), polenta, and grains like quinoa are good. Do not eliminate fats either--she needs these to grow and to absorb nutrients--but make sure they are mostly good fats (olive oil, nuts).

Finally, all things in moderation. Food should be a pleasure--enjoy cakes and cookies once in a while, a pat of butter on fresh baguette is delicious, nothing quite compares to a steak, and ice cream on hot summer days are heavenly...

[Anonymous]

OP: Don't listen to the people on this thread that buy into the pro-carb hype. The whole food pyramid entirely political & completely inaccurate. The large grain intake is based on lobbying interests.

Plenty of studies have been done to prove that a Paleo diet + dairy is actually MUCH healthier. We follow the diet in our household and an ex. of a day is eggs, fruit and bacon for breakfast. Salads for lunch. Fruits, nuts, veggies for snacks. Protein source (fish, poultry or red meat) for dinner with veggies. We rarely get sick - daughter included - and our pediatrician knows about our diet and endorses it. DH comes from a family of doctors (he & both siblings) and they all support this diet and lifestyle.

My husband and I let my daughter eat birthday cakes at friends houses but she doesn't like it & prefers fruit desserts or the high quality, lower in sugar cakes.

[Anonymous]

PP here: I agree that it's important to do the occassional indulgence. When we go out to restaurants you should let your daughter pick something thats appetizing to her even if it is pizza. The trick is to teach her to make healthy decisions but allow for enjoyment & treats.

Also, you get a LOT of carbs in fruits & veggies. Carbs themselves aren't the problem it's a lot of the processed junk and honestly, you really dont need as much grain as you think you do.

[Anonymous]

PP again: I forgot to mention that dairy IS good and an important addition. DH cuts back on dairy but only because he's slightly lactose intolerant. DD and I do high quality & organic yogurts, cheese, etc. Don't worry about the fat content.

[Anonymous]

OP -- for breakfast ideas -- does your child like eggs? I'm on a low-carb way of eating, and we keep a lot of hard boiled eggs on hand for portable snacks and quick meals. Scrambled eggs are also quick and great -- I usually also add some mushrooms, sauteed leafy greens, etc.

Soft boiled eggs are also yummy, but I guess you need to be careful about the salmonella thing.

Poached eggs over some leftover roasted green veggies from yesterday's dinner is anotehr favorite. Actually, anything from yesterday's dinner is a hit in our house.

Tuna, chicken, or crab meat salad

smoked salmon with cream cheese and dill roll ups. My kids really like that!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: Don't listen to the people on this thread that buy into the pro-carb hype. The whole food pyramid entirely political & completely inaccurate. The large grain intake is based on lobbying interests.

Plenty of studies have been done to prove that a Paleo diet + dairy is actually MUCH healthier. We follow the diet in our household and an ex. of a day is eggs, fruit and bacon for breakfast. Salads for lunch. Fruits, nuts, veggies for snacks. Protein source (fish, poultry or red meat) for dinner with veggies. We rarely get sick - daughter included - and our pediatrician knows about our diet and endorses it. DH comes from a family of doctors (he & both siblings) and they all support this diet and lifestyle.

My husband and I let my daughter eat birthday cakes at friends houses but she doesn't like it & prefers fruit desserts or the high quality, lower in sugar cakes.

Yeah, and there is plenty of evidence that the vegan diet I eat with complex carbs and high protein grains is also healthy, and that YOU are a victim of the vicious dairy lobby, which convinces you you must have it. It is ridiculous on its face, because lobby or no dairy/grain lobby, there is nutritional, scientifically proven benefit to both.

I eat how I eat for ethical reasons, and don't feel I need dairy. But if I wanted it in my diet, I could do so in a way that is nutritious and adds pleasure value. Same goes for grains; food isn't just fuel. You can have a healthy balanced that includes whole grains and contributes significantly to your nutrition, while also being a pleasure.

[Anonymous]

"


Anonymous wrote:"I think you should discuss this with your pediatrician. Can you reduce your carbs but not your daughtere's? If she's already very thin, you could be endangering her."

I don't know about this - my 95% weight DS eats mostly steel cut oatmeal, whole grain pancakes (homemade), high fiber cereal (his choice, we didn't suggest this one), brown rice, and 100% whole grain breads and cereals.



These are carbs. OP, you should reduce processed food and move towards whole grains. You daughter NEEDS CARBS--but she can get these through whole wheat bread, pasta, oatmeal. Potatoes (not fried), polenta, and grains like quinoa are good. Do not eliminate fats either--she needs these to grow and to absorb nutrients--but make sure they are mostly good fats (olive oil, nuts). "

Yes, I know they are carbs. OP said she wanted to reduce empty carb calories - I assume that meant she wanted to substitute for healthy carbs, which is what we eat.

[Anonymous]

Please read: What if It's All Been a Big FAT lie
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/07/magazine/what-if-it-s-all-been-a-big-fat-lie.html

[Anonymous]

ALso this:

http://www.slate.com/id/2248754

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure how extreme you are going to go - but aren't a l ot of cereals actually made of whole grains? Or am I buying into some hype? My son loves cheerios, wheat chex, and another ....Lean Cruch (something like that - by Kashi - but it is high in sugar).

I often buy the white whole wheat bagels. Maybe this is still considered "processed", but I got the whole wheat ones found them to be too hard on my stomach in the morning.

I think Kashi makes waffles and we love Trader Joe's multigrain pancake mix.

There are also some softer whole wheat breads (Pepperridge farm makes one that says "soft" on it).

All of this is HIGHLY processed. Just because something says whole wheat does not mean it isn't processed, and doesn't mean its healthy. To truly eat healthy, you have to read labels (and understand what you are reading) - names are just marketing.

[Anonymous]

We did a detox earlier this year and discovered that we love beans of all sorts! Black beans, white beans, chickpeas, etc. There are a ton of great recipes - or even just plain they are yummy! My DD hasn't met a bean or legume yet that she doesn't love.

If you are looking for other sources of carbs & protein you can try out beans!

And eggs are one of our staples (hard boiled, veggie frittatas, etc) - so good for you & yummy too!

[Anonymous]

How about a Middle Eastern style breakfast? Wholewheat pita bread, cubes of feta, carrot and celery sticks, pieces of melon, grapes, olives, natural yogurt mixed with honey.

[Anonymous]

Pasta rice and other white things are fairly new additions to the food chain and children do not need them They need meat fruits vegetables and dairy. They get plenty of grains in bread. It is easy. Think about what your family ate before fast food. If you can grow it in the garden or a barn or it lives in the ocean then EAT IT. We were finicky eaters so my mom made 3-4 fresh veggies daily and some form of protein. Our salad would be greens with fresh fruit. We snacked on fresh fruits and veggies or really good cheese with crackers. Or just the cheese cut from the wheel.