Comments on: Food http://science-at-home.org/food/ Science activities for parents of babies, toddlers and school children. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:56:48 +0000 hourly 1 By: Eat Like a Baby | Kate Wicker http://science-at-home.org/food/comment-page-1/#comment-11503 Eat Like a Baby | Kate Wicker Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:52:21 +0000 http://science-at-home.org/?p=2285#comment-11503 [...] Food — Deb at Science@Home tries to teach her children three rules to help them eat a healthy diet. (@ScienceMum) [...] [...] Food — Deb at Science@Home tries to teach her children three rules to help them eat a healthy diet. (@ScienceMum) [...]

]]> By: Annie http://science-at-home.org/food/comment-page-1/#comment-1923 Annie Sun, 18 Jul 2010 21:01:24 +0000 http://science-at-home.org/?p=2285#comment-1923 Oh I love the idea of balancing every meal - you're right, that's much easier to manage than trying to plan it all over the whole day then panicking cos there's too much to fit into dinner (or else just giving up and realising that no one is eating ANY vegies...) I also like the concept of only eating food that our great-grandmothers would recognise as food. And as people have said, there are so many different opinions on what is 'healthy' food and its really so personal, based on our home situation, food sensitivities, likes etc. It can seem so overwhelming. I find it easiest to try one new thing at a time, add that to our diet/routine, and once that becomes easy and normal, then try something else. Otherwise I feel like I have to change everything and it again its too overwhelming and I just want to give up. I used to have trouble with my blood sugar as well and once it dropped, I was completely incapable of making decisions, including deciding what to eat. So those 'what would you like to eat' conversations are torture at that point, I needed someone to just hand me food, I'd eat it, and then I could think again. I got better at remembering to eat BEFORE that happened but it did take me a long time. It happens rarely now - not sure if that's because I do eat more regularly, or I eat a better diet (much less processed food) or if I just kind of grew out of it. Oh I love the idea of balancing every meal – you’re right, that’s much easier to manage than trying to plan it all over the whole day then panicking cos there’s too much to fit into dinner (or else just giving up and realising that no one is eating ANY vegies…)

I also like the concept of only eating food that our great-grandmothers would recognise as food. And as people have said, there are so many different opinions on what is ‘healthy’ food and its really so personal, based on our home situation, food sensitivities, likes etc. It can seem so overwhelming.

I find it easiest to try one new thing at a time, add that to our diet/routine, and once that becomes easy and normal, then try something else. Otherwise I feel like I have to change everything and it again its too overwhelming and I just want to give up.

I used to have trouble with my blood sugar as well and once it dropped, I was completely incapable of making decisions, including deciding what to eat. So those ‘what would you like to eat’ conversations are torture at that point, I needed someone to just hand me food, I’d eat it, and then I could think again. I got better at remembering to eat BEFORE that happened but it did take me a long time. It happens rarely now – not sure if that’s because I do eat more regularly, or I eat a better diet (much less processed food) or if I just kind of grew out of it.

]]> By: Lauren @ Hobo Mama http://science-at-home.org/food/comment-page-1/#comment-1909 Lauren @ Hobo Mama Fri, 16 Jul 2010 23:25:02 +0000 http://science-at-home.org/?p=2285#comment-1909 I just love this article. You've packed so many great ideas into it. The "Eat food" part of Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food — that's the only book on the subject I've actually made it through and read, so I'm quite proud ;) — was so inspirational for me. He had a rule that you eat only what your great-grandmother would recognize as food. That's helped me a lot. The part about "not too much" is where I always get stuck, of course. Oh, heck, I get stuck on all of it. But this: "Be confident that there will always be more chocolate, or chips, or whatever it is, and just eat what you need right now." Yes! Why can I not remember that? I think it must be innate, to want to feast while food is available. Like our far-past ancestors who survived must have done. Oh, well! I'll keep reminding myself I live in a culture of abundance, and maybe someday the message will get through. Does your daughter like/eat cheese? Or nuts? I find those nice, filling little snacks that are more protein than sugars. I second/third/whatever the dip ideas. Maybe in that line, a little tub of salsa with some cut-up whole-wheat tortillas? I think kids love food that's a little bit complicated, because don't we all love to play with our food? :) String cheese is a good one for kids, because it keeps pretty well in lunchboxes AND is fun to play with. You can find organic if you prefer, and it's just mozzarella. Whole-milk yogurt's good, too, though you might want to find a lunchbox that fits a little gel ice pack then. I just love this article. You’ve packed so many great ideas into it. The “Eat food” part of Michael Pollan’s In Defense of Food — that’s the only book on the subject I’ve actually made it through and read, so I’m quite proud ;) — was so inspirational for me. He had a rule that you eat only what your great-grandmother would recognize as food. That’s helped me a lot. The part about “not too much” is where I always get stuck, of course. Oh, heck, I get stuck on all of it. But this: “Be confident that there will always be more chocolate, or chips, or whatever it is, and just eat what you need right now.” Yes! Why can I not remember that? I think it must be innate, to want to feast while food is available. Like our far-past ancestors who survived must have done. Oh, well! I’ll keep reminding myself I live in a culture of abundance, and maybe someday the message will get through.

Does your daughter like/eat cheese? Or nuts? I find those nice, filling little snacks that are more protein than sugars. I second/third/whatever the dip ideas. Maybe in that line, a little tub of salsa with some cut-up whole-wheat tortillas? I think kids love food that’s a little bit complicated, because don’t we all love to play with our food? :) String cheese is a good one for kids, because it keeps pretty well in lunchboxes AND is fun to play with. You can find organic if you prefer, and it’s just mozzarella. Whole-milk yogurt’s good, too, though you might want to find a lunchbox that fits a little gel ice pack then.
Lauren @ Hobo Mama´s latest amazing offering ..Bring cooking down to your childs levelMy Profile

]]> By: Michelle @ The Parent Vortex http://science-at-home.org/food/comment-page-1/#comment-1902 Michelle @ The Parent Vortex Thu, 15 Jul 2010 23:59:03 +0000 http://science-at-home.org/?p=2285#comment-1902 I tend to be hypo-glycemic a bit myself and protein in the morning really does help. A soft-boiled egg with breakfast or lunch really helps keep my energy levels even through the day. I also eat nuts & dried fruit as a snack - I call it my "snicky-snack" and it's a mix of pecans, almonds, raisins, dried cranberries, and pumpkin seeds or figs if I'm feeling adventurous (and have been shopping recently!). I think the best approach is to offer solid foods she likes regularly, or leave them where she can access them herself. If it's related to a power struggle she might resist just for the control and would be more likely to eat when she chooses when/where. I tend to be hypo-glycemic a bit myself and protein in the morning really does help. A soft-boiled egg with breakfast or lunch really helps keep my energy levels even through the day. I also eat nuts & dried fruit as a snack – I call it my “snicky-snack” and it’s a mix of pecans, almonds, raisins, dried cranberries, and pumpkin seeds or figs if I’m feeling adventurous (and have been shopping recently!).

I think the best approach is to offer solid foods she likes regularly, or leave them where she can access them herself. If it’s related to a power struggle she might resist just for the control and would be more likely to eat when she chooses when/where.

]]> By: Beanma http://science-at-home.org/food/comment-page-1/#comment-1882 Beanma Thu, 15 Jul 2010 03:55:40 +0000 http://science-at-home.org/?p=2285#comment-1882 I like avocado, egg, humus, cheese, beans for low-GI ... not sure how to make them kid-friendly if the kid isn't eating it in front of you but those are all healthy balanced foods imho! I like avocado, egg, humus, cheese, beans for low-GI … not sure how to make them kid-friendly if the kid isn’t eating it in front of you but those are all healthy balanced foods imho!
Beanma´s latest amazing offering ..Growth-Spurt Soup AKA “Beannut Stew”My Profile

]]> By: Deb http://science-at-home.org/food/comment-page-1/#comment-1869 Deb Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:47:37 +0000 http://science-at-home.org/?p=2285#comment-1869 Great idea. I've found the girls really like a cooked lunch like noodles or rice, and in summer keeping things cold is a real hassle here. Great idea. I’ve found the girls really like a cooked lunch like noodles or rice, and in summer keeping things cold is a real hassle here.

]]> By: Marita http://science-at-home.org/food/comment-page-1/#comment-1868 Marita Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:39:43 +0000 http://science-at-home.org/?p=2285#comment-1868 I love that 'balance every meal' philosophy. We struggle with Heidi because she has intolerances, allergies and also is very sensitive to the texture of food and experiences flavours in different ways to what we do. Makes for interesting times. For school lunches, can I plug a totally brilliant solution I found for my girls? The 'Foogo' pot by Thermos, sold in KMart, not too expensive, also available to purchase online. Here is a link to the official thermos site - http://www.thermos.com/product_details.aspx?ProdID=740&CatCode=Foog&q= In summer I put in yogurt with fruit (banana, berries etc). On occasion I've pureed some frozen berries and mixed them in with whole frozen berries. Delicious. It stays chilled nicely until recess in the girls insulated lunch bags. In winter my girls have taken - soup, two minute noodles and vegetable stew to school in their foogo pots. It is exactly big enough for one packet of two minute noodles to fit in and lucky my girls prefer them *without* the flavouring. It is also great for carrying baked beans and tinned spag. which my girls prefer at room temp. Such a small thing but it has made a huge difference to the range of what I can make for lunches. I love that ‘balance every meal’ philosophy.

We struggle with Heidi because she has intolerances, allergies and also is very sensitive to the texture of food and experiences flavours in different ways to what we do. Makes for interesting times.

For school lunches, can I plug a totally brilliant solution I found for my girls? The ‘Foogo’ pot by Thermos, sold in KMart, not too expensive, also available to purchase online.

Here is a link to the official thermos site – http://www.thermos.com/product_details.aspx?ProdID=740&CatCode=Foog&q=

In summer I put in yogurt with fruit (banana, berries etc). On occasion I’ve pureed some frozen berries and mixed them in with whole frozen berries. Delicious. It stays chilled nicely until recess in the girls insulated lunch bags.

In winter my girls have taken – soup, two minute noodles and vegetable stew to school in their foogo pots. It is exactly big enough for one packet of two minute noodles to fit in and lucky my girls prefer them *without* the flavouring.

It is also great for carrying baked beans and tinned spag. which my girls prefer at room temp.

Such a small thing but it has made a huge difference to the range of what I can make for lunches.
Marita´s latest amazing offering ..Bad DreamsMy Profile

]]> By: sally http://science-at-home.org/food/comment-page-1/#comment-1865 sally Wed, 14 Jul 2010 03:28:46 +0000 http://science-at-home.org/?p=2285#comment-1865 We have similar problems here. Both myself and my DD are sensitive to not getting food at the right times. I've know about myself for years, the breaking point was when in tears I told my mum I wasn't hungry, she basically force-fed (well told me, I didn't have a choice and to just try it) a smoothy. !0 mins later I felt 100X better and had to apologise to my mum :). DH has just picked up, that if I forget to give DD her afternoon snack she becomes very emotional and unable to cope in the run up to dinner time. On the school front, I've found that the routine of a school day helps most children eat, because they are told that this time is for sitting down and eating. We have similar problems here.
Both myself and my DD are sensitive to not getting food at the right times. I’ve know about myself for years, the breaking point was when in tears I told my mum I wasn’t hungry, she basically force-fed (well told me, I didn’t have a choice and to just try it) a smoothy. !0 mins later I felt 100X better and had to apologise to my mum :) .
DH has just picked up, that if I forget to give DD her afternoon snack she becomes very emotional and unable to cope in the run up to dinner time.

On the school front, I’ve found that the routine of a school day helps most children eat, because they are told that this time is for sitting down and eating.

]]> By: TwinToddlersDad http://science-at-home.org/food/comment-page-1/#comment-1864 TwinToddlersDad Wed, 14 Jul 2010 03:27:29 +0000 http://science-at-home.org/?p=2285#comment-1864 Very cool blog! I am glad I discovered you through the Natural Parenting Blog Carnival. I think we tend to focus a little too much on the "what" of eating, rather than than the "how" of eating. Eat this, not that. This is good for you, eat more of it. Too many rules, too much confusing information. No wonder eating has become such a difficult experience these days! Love your perspective about 87000 meals over a lifetime. We should better start thinking about how to make each one of them both healthful and enjoyable. That is if we are lucky to get to 87000! Keep up the good work. I am adding your blog to my Links page and plan to return soon to read more of your posts! Very cool blog! I am glad I discovered you through the Natural Parenting Blog Carnival.

I think we tend to focus a little too much on the “what” of eating, rather than than the “how” of eating. Eat this, not that. This is good for you, eat more of it. Too many rules, too much confusing information. No wonder eating has become such a difficult experience these days!

Love your perspective about 87000 meals over a lifetime. We should better start thinking about how to make each one of them both healthful and enjoyable. That is if we are lucky to get to 87000!

Keep up the good work. I am adding your blog to my Links page and plan to return soon to read more of your posts!
TwinToddlersDad´s latest amazing offering ..Eat Your Food or ElseMy Profile

]]> By: Deb http://science-at-home.org/food/comment-page-1/#comment-1859 Deb Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:49:25 +0000 http://science-at-home.org/?p=2285#comment-1859 We love things on a plate :D I think I need to be more adventurous with our eating, it seems to be the same things over and over. Not recipes so much but ingredients. I think I got into the habit when there wasn't much around and I haven't looked for new things. We love things on a plate :D I think I need to be more adventurous with our eating, it seems to be the same things over and over. Not recipes so much but ingredients. I think I got into the habit when there wasn’t much around and I haven’t looked for new things.

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