Reply to 6th grader has started asking about the calories in everything

Forum Index » Tweens and Teens

Reply to "6th grader has started asking about the calories in everything"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I agree that we need to be on the lookout for unhealthy relationships to food and emerging eating disorders. However, inappropriately large portions and unhealthy servings are pervasive. Knowing about calories is useful. Trying to redirect an interest in calories, as if numbers should be taboo, with vague woohoo or dumbing down sounds exceedingly creepy to me. Also disrespectful.
[/quote]

This.  Look around.  Most Americans have disordered eating, but somehow overeating is acceptable.  I don’t get it.

I caution against watching her like a hawk.  If she senses that you are watching everything she eats or doesn’t eat, then she will start to see it all as shameful and hide her behavior.  No one likes to feel like they are being watched with every bite they take.  That, IMO, is how you cause a person to have an eating disorder.

I would focus urge her to focus on portion size and on ensuring she gets the basics of what she needs.  Most Americans get way more protein than what they actually need, including kids.

But eating shouldn’t be about guilt.  I think it should be taught to the same way sex is.  You need to be responsible and protect your body, but it’s also part of the enjoyment of life.  
[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics