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After reading the food newsletter, there seems to be a familiar theme- resentment at high priced organic and justifying the extra expense (for years I have battled with this) and why can't all food be produced in the healthiest way for Everybody to Afford?
The food industry produces such rubbish, enticing and brainwashing with advertising. This is alarming when we discover the rise in childhood diabetes and obesity. Food becomes the building blocks of life. Nutrition and well-being should be taught hand in hand with reading and maths.
In my family, growing up, there were definitely Food issues. We desired the kinds of foods rarely seen on our tables-processed stuff, sausages, ham, Ice cream, fish fingers, burgers, sweets, chips...these were all put on pedestals by my older brothers, who would carefully "ration" and divide them out to us, like prized jewels, when such treats were allowed.
We always had home cooked meals and my mum tried really hard to produce appealing foods. She is a vegetarian and often the meals would be dull and unappetizing (I realise now that vegetarian food doesn't have to be like this!) Her food choices were not supported by my father who frequently verbalized his negative opinions. Consequently, I have food issues that have affected me as an adult.
So now it is my turn as a parent and the realization that I have an enormous responsibility towards my children to get the balance right. It takes tremendous energy to "protect" them from what's out there; to encourage a positive attitude; to educate them so they WANT to eat good stuff; to not have an unhealthy desire towards the bad and don't feel they are missing out! Exhausting...
OK, so I don't know what I am doing will ultimately work out, time will tell. We have discussions together and have done so since they were babies- I won't be the food police, but I will endeavour to set up good habits for life by teaching them as we go along, without lectures.
We try to shop in small shops (organic) when possible, so they can have an input and roam the shelves. In the big supermarkets there are 20 aisles of crap and only 1/2 an aisle of the stuff I want. This requires lots of energy, time and again, education and not saying "NO" all the time. So they're interested in the sweets, we all have a look and discuss, "yes, they look appealing, but sweets are for parties, let me know which ones you want for your party and I'll write a list." We choose savoury crap as a compromise from time to time, like crisps or snacks. It seems to work for us and doing is since they were babies, consistently they accept this- they know Coca-Cola dissolves teeth and cleans engines and make a better choice. I involve them and they are part of the decision-making process.
We have some fantastic food charts from orangeburst ltd 01273 703461 www.lemonburst.net (they do other great charts, about herbs, yoga and natural first aid, etc., and a cook book.) The chart has all the vitamins, minerals and the foods that contain them. When I am feeling really creative we'll make up a rhyme like "a broccoli tree is full of calcium and vitamin c."
It makes me so cross that I have to spend so much time and energy on issues surrounding this basic fundamental human need, because of the lack of awareness within the wider community. I do feel blessed that I have the foresight to make the energy available to shop and eat well.
Its not all ways straight forward, I run low on energy, get stuck for an answer, say the wrong thing but I try to stay on my rock. There have been some very low points when I have thrown plates of food across the room, or screamed or shouted.
But I do have a very heart-warming memory of my 3 and a half-year-old. We try to grow a few veg and one fine day he strolled out into the veg patch, pulled up a carrot, took it into the house, returning shortly after, having scrubbed it, chopped it and sat down in a sunny spot to enjoy it-absolutely wonderful...
Our Food Rules
These are our aims and are a guide, we try not to be too strict and it doesn't
always go to plan... These have evolved and maybe adapted/changed in the
future.
1. No convenience foods at home (some tins). All food is fresh and homemade.
2. No sugar (occasionally in home made cakes) Fruit yoghurts annoyingly have
sugar in so we allow these as a treat.
3. Biscuits, cakes etc, are for special days, visitors, celebrations etc, and
preferably home made
4. Sweets are for parties, grandma's treat, Christmas, Easter, teaching
them "Why" and not just "No."
5. No food rationing- when treats/biscuits are around, they have been taught
to set their own limits-because when they're gone, they're gone,
and so none for another day.
6. Limit the amount of wheat and dairy, especially cheese. Calcium is consumed
from other foods.
7. The pantry is never closed. They must first check to see that a meal is
nearly ready; otherwise they can help themselves to crackers, bread, breakfast,
nuts, fruit, etc. No limits, sensible amounts encouraged.
8. Eating out, an occasional treat, they have free choice.
9. Other people's houses-no restrictions, encouraged to eat sensibly
10. We sit around the table to eat most of our meals altogether.