Do parents let their kids eat fast food?

[Anonymous]

I'm a new mother, in my early 30s, a professional, and living in the heart of DC. I haven't eaten fast food in at least 5 years and I don't know anyone who does. I'm not sure why but it may be that the people I know are health conscious or it may be that there just aren't any McDonalds, etc. near where I live. I have to say I don't miss it. Is it realistic that I can keep from taking my kids to these places or am I completely deluding myself that I can keep the kids away.

[Anonymous]

It's easy when you just have the one child not to do the fast food thing. It gets more difficult when you are driving multiple children around to activities and they get hungry and you're exhausted. We love the apple fry things at Burger King and the mac and cheese. Okay, they insist on the chocolate milk too, but apples and Mac and Cheese are not the end of the world.

We love McDonald's breakfast after swim practice too. I try to feel bad, but it's so good!

[Anonymous]

My child is 2.5 and I live in the burbs with a fast food restaurant littering every corner. We have never stepped foot in one. Most of my friends don't eat it either.

However the vast majority of my friends are into Organic eating, in CSA members, and shop primarily at farmers markets and buy meat directly from farms.

This might be terrible to admit, but I don't think I'd have much in common with someone who frequented fast food restaurants. I love to garden, I love to cook, and I spend large amonts of my time preserving foods when in peak season I ferment, can, freeze, and dry. Since I do put food first and spend so much of my time on it, naturally I have met and bonded with people who do the same (or people who are interestd in learning more about it).

I'm a slow foodie, so definitly there is no fast food for our family, check it out! http://www.slowfood.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is 2.5 and I live in the burbs with a fast food restaurant littering every corner. We have never stepped foot in one. Most of my friends don't eat it either.

However the vast majority of my friends are into Organic eating, in CSA members, and shop primarily at farmers markets and buy meat directly from farms.

This might be terrible to admit, but I don't think I'd have much in common with someone who frequented fast food restaurants. I love to garden, I love to cook, and I spend large amonts of my time preserving foods when in peak season I ferment, can, freeze, and dry. Since I do put food first and spend so much of my time on it, naturally I have met and bonded with people who do the same (or people who are interestd in learning more about it).

I'm a slow foodie, so definitly there is no fast food for our family, check it out! http://www.slowfood.com/

Only one small child so far? No peer pressure yet, no older kids around yet, no running to swimming, ballet, theatre, lacrosse or baseball yet? I'll check with you in about 10 years and see how you're doing with that then. You might find that you have more in common with me then.

[Anonymous]

There's no reason you can't keep your kids away, especially if you love to cook. I have to say that I have no problem with the occasional cheeseburger and fries.
What's the big deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is 2.5 and I live in the burbs with a fast food restaurant littering every corner. We have never stepped foot in one. Most of my friends don't eat it either.

However the vast majority of my friends are into Organic eating, in CSA members, and shop primarily at farmers markets and buy meat directly from farms.

This might be terrible to admit, but I don't think I'd have much in common with someone who frequented fast food restaurants. I love to garden, I love to cook, and I spend large amonts of my time preserving foods when in peak season I ferment, can, freeze, and dry. Since I do put food first and spend so much of my time on it, naturally I have met and bonded with people who do the same (or people who are interestd in learning more about it).

I'm a slow foodie, so definitly there is no fast food for our family, check it out! http://www.slowfood.com/

Only one small child so far? No peer pressure yet, no older kids around yet, no running to swimming, ballet, theatre, lacrosse or baseball yet? I'll check with you in about 10 years and see how you're doing with that then. You might find that you have more in common with me then.

What's up with the "let's wait and see who is right" attitude? I grew up with multiple siblings and frankly we rarely if ever ate fast food. My parents always cooked for us (or by the time we were old enough, had us helping out).

[Anonymous]

I'm the overscheduled poster from above and I too grew up eating 99% of my meals at the dinner table with my parents. However, with 4 under the age of 13 and multiple activities, there are days where I just drive thru and hope the Flintstones chewable vitamins are taking up the slack.

[Anonymous]

Hell yes we do. I've actually been to the birthplace of slowfood in Barolo, Italy. I get it.

But there's nothing quite like piping hot McD fries every now and again.

[Anonymous]

OP Here. To the last PP, I do love to cook so maybe I will be able to keep them away. My issue isn't with a cheeseburger and fries but with the quality of the food at places like McDonalds. I think it stems from my childhood where my parents had no problem with fast food on a very regular basis. They still eat horribly, their health has suffered for it, and think I'm crazy for staying away. Sooo, as I think about it, it may be partly baggage that I'm carrying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hell yes we do. I've actually been to the birthplace of slowfood in Barolo, Italy. I get it.

But there's nothing quite like piping hot McD fries every now and again.

Or nice hot hash brown with a big hot cup of "magma temperature" Coffee to wash it down. Sweeeeet!

[Anonymous]

To 20:17

I don't condem people who choose fast food. And I think the term "let" in the title of this posting is a bit much. I will "let" my kids eat fast food, but it will never be something that I initiate, even if I have 10 children. I'm a working mom and have to put tons of effort into eating the way I do. For instance, I spent half of the day today doing as much prep work as possible for this weeks meals (chopping, dicing, and mixing in advance and always have freezer meals for emergency nights). Also, since I preserve so much, really the winter months are pretty easy. You might be suprised at how many sauces and soups can be canned.

The key is that I love to cook. I don't think if I did not enjoy gardening and cooking would I do this. When I say I put food first, I mean that. Many people in my circle of friends who ascribe to Slow Food actually have large families. People who are into this way of eating run the spectrum of very liberal people with a strong environmental stance to evangellicals with 7 children all home schooled. I have seen some amazing people who nourish their families this way.

[Anonymous]

To the poster who likes McDs fries...have you ever watched "Supersize Me?"...I haven't been even tempted to eat a McD fry since ... I do still eat fries occassionally at restaurants, but I can't bring myself to go back to McD fries

[Anonymous]

To 20:28 from 20:17 - I understand and admire people who like to cook. I used to love to cook too. But it's not always about what you enjoy. As your children develop their own interests and activities you will find that you are sitting on the bleachers cheering during those hours that you used to spend chopping and dicing. Or maybe you will miss out on that and stay home chopping and dicing while Dad cheers. I hope not.

[Anonymous]

We have basically the same standard as I had growing up - fast food is for road trips (that means somewhere 3+ hours away at least). I live in NWDC, my kids are 4 & 7 and I'd say most people I know have a similar standard. If we are busy driving around town there are crackers, granola bars, etc... no need for Mickey-Ds. It really is crap BUT I do LOVE those fries and they are perfect for road trips...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To 20:28 from 20:17 - I understand and admire people who like to cook. I used to love to cook too. But it's not always about what you enjoy. As your children develop their own interests and activities you will find that you are sitting on the bleachers cheering during those hours that you used to spend chopping and dicing. Or maybe you will miss out on that and stay home chopping and dicing while Dad cheers. I hope not.

I think you can have it both ways. I actually grew up on a small farmette my parents were hobby farmers, my mom pretty much ran the farm during the week while my dad was at the office. We never and I mean never ate fast food. There also was very little TV watching that went on, we were always busy. My mom cooked everything from scratch (including butchering and processing chicken on site) and was into preserving everything. She still had time for the PTA, fundraisers, was a girl scout troop leader, and the sports all 4 of us kids were in, she was about as involved as they come. I also rememer my mom being highly organized and she still bussles around with tons of enegy. I don't see how kids activities precludes anyone from cooking. We have many convienence snacks that travel well and are healthy.