Can I ask a question? Do the kids who grow up eating “kid recipes” end up healthy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're describing party foods, this is not what people eat every day, they are trying to appeal to all the kids who are attending, who likely eat very different foods at home. Even my child who eats mostly Indian food at home will enjoy cheese pizza and chicken nuggets as a treat.

+1

Often hosts are just looking for something easy/simple to appeal to kids, in case they don’t care for the main dishes served. Most families do not serve this type of food to their kids at home- at least not very often.

[Anonymous]

Generally they do, yes, as long as there is some balance. Most kids eat other foods too- not just “kid food” and are active and growing.

However- the kids won’t stay that way (healthy) in adulthood if they don’t modify their eating habits. IMO that is the real concern about excessive intake of these foods…

[Anonymous]

I think kids with parents who are restrictive and make a huge deal out of everything end up with the most food issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why single out “white/American” people?
If you come to a party any of my Indian clan’s
homes you’ll see a buffet of samosas, parathas, deep-fried poori, creamy dals and meat dishes, buttery biryanis and all manner of sweets. We don’t have special genes. These are occasional treats and we take small portions.

Yes! I am Indian-American and was going to say the same. Way unhealthier than that stuff OP listed.

And yes our community is "healthy" as adults - that's mostly just a socioeconomic thing.

[Anonymous]

My kids LOVE mac & cheese, meatballs, pizza, etc.

They do eat healthy foods for regular meals, including seafood, lean proteins, lots of vegetables, whole grains. At parties, they'll go for the treats like mac & cheese. They know those are "sometimes foods", not daily but also not prohibited.

Both are teenagers now. They have sports or other physical activity 8-12 hours per week. One is 90th percentile height and 50th for weight. The other is 70th percentile in both height and weight, solid muscle. They eat until they are full. They enjoy treats in moderation.

I was the same way growing up. At 45, I'm 5'8", size 8, physically active, great blood pressure / cholesterol / blood sugar / etc.

Don't judge kids' health by what they eat at parties.

[Anonymous]

I come from a heavy Midwest food background. Three of my European great grandparents and all my grandparents lived to 96+ and all but one just died of old age. You’re a moron

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why single out “white/American” people?
If you come to a party any of my Indian clan’s
homes you’ll see a buffet of samosas, parathas, deep-fried poori, creamy dals and meat dishes, buttery biryanis and all manner of sweets. We don’t have special genes. These are occasional treats and we take small portions.

Yes! I am Indian-American and was going to say the same. Way unhealthier than that stuff OP listed.

And yes our community is "healthy" as adults - that's mostly just a socioeconomic thing.

Indian Americans typically carry extra weight on them. So do Korean Americans. It might be a transition to American food mixed with their home style cooking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are Asian, cook mostly at home, lots of vegetables and lean meats. Desserts are mostly fruit with weekly treats.*

Whenever I look up “kid-friendly” recipes for gatherings I am hosting (neighborhood, school families, etc.) I see a lot of things like:
- Mac n cheese
- Crockpot meatballs with BBQ sauce and grape jelly
- Creamy cheddar bacon dip
- Sausage pizza puffs
- Fried ravioli

I know it’s a party but… I feel like people should not eat this way, like ever? Unless they are also running marathons, I don’t think our bodies can go through this many calories and sugar and cheese? Or is there a special gene that white/American people have that enables them to absorb all these calories and sugar and cheese without negative effect?

* And yes, I am fully aware my kids may rebel and stuff their face once they start buying their own groceries. But, I did not and am hoping inculcating good food habits does not backfire for my kids.

I don't know what's going on in your neighborhood, but the only food on your list that I recognize is Mac n Cheese.

Meatballs can be really good. But grape jelly?

Ravioli can be divine. But fried?

Creamy cheddar bacon dip? Maybe edible for a minute before it coagulates.

I'm going to guess you're in Minnesota, home of the tater tot casserole.

None of these foods are normal, every day meals. But you are wrong to denounce cheese.

[Anonymous]

My husband grew up eating like that and really struggles to eat healthy meals. It’s a constant battle at my house. He knows it’s unhealthy, but it’s like an addiction.

[Anonymous]

We’ve had those crockpot meatballs (or little franks) with bbq and jelly since I was a kid. Usually Christmas and New Year’s.

I also grew up on bologna and cheese sandwiches, pizza, ravioli, meatballs. And southern food too - hush puppies, biscuits, fried chicken. But it’s not like we eat any of this every day (well, the sandwiches I pretty much did).

I’m an active 45 year old, size 2/4. So yes, I’d say for me and my generation it was ok. I do keep busy physically which I think is key.

[Anonymous]

You sound like a miserable parent. No dessert? No mac and cheese? I had a friend with parents like this when I was young. She secretly hid snacks in her room because her mom was so strict about food and portions and she was always hungry after dinner.

Encouraging healthy choices is one thing. Being overly strict about food is just not fun for anyone.

[Anonymous]

I am Italian. What’s wrong with meatballs? I ate so many growing up. My grandma made them from scratch (she died at 98). It’s ground beef, bread and spices (maybe a little Parmesan cheese… actually very healthy for you… to add flavor). I would love for my kids to eat those most days.

I don’t want them to eat steamed broccoli every day. That is not life! I guess it helps we have no overweight people on either side of our families…

[Anonymous]

I agree PP but I do admit that the jelly and bbq sauce add sugar to meatballs that an Italian wouldn’t.

[Anonymous]

I started eating vegetables at age 20. There is hope! I now eat them everyday.

-White American

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You sound like a miserable parent. No dessert? No mac and cheese? I had a friend with parents like this when I was young. She secretly hid snacks in her room because her mom was so strict about food and portions and she was always hungry after dinner.

Encouraging healthy choices is one thing. Being overly strict about food is just not fun for anyone.

I’d add that being overly strict is actually unhealthy - mentally and physically.