I just want to be normal?
What is normal?
It was a Friday night and we were sitting down to watch a movie after dinner and my son asked if he could have some “sweets” which means ice cream and apple pie.
My answer was No!
I let my boys have some ice-cream once a week, and sometimes on a Saturday night he can have a bit of ice-cream with a bit of apple pie.
I am so conscious of what is in these foods and and rarely let them have them. I allow natural yoghurt and berries, which they can have each day, but when it comes to commercial ice cream and desserts – I’m so restrictive.
My 9 year old son had an outburst and said “I just want to be normal!”
I was so blown away by his outburst, I was actually a bit angry. What are our children thinking. They always expect I know, but it is very sad that they feel ice-cream, chocolate, sweets etc are all NORMAL to have everyday.
I replied to my son, no he couldn’t have ice cream, I always back this by asking them what they have had for the day. They then tell me everything they have had.
When they do this it helps them to understand and think through those ‘treats’ they may have already had.
I had the battle with school lunches, I never pack anything good they used to say, as in no packet biscuits or chocolates etc. So as a parent, I too have the battle of other kids lunchboxes.
The social demand is ridiculous. It tears me apart how much our children are addicted to sugar, when is it going to change?
I know growing up we were lucky enough to have ice-cream once a week, it was mainly once a fortnight, and that was the ‘weight-watchers’ individual serve!
We were made to wait until our adult visitors had finished having a chocolate biscuits with their coffee, and only if we were offered we were allowed to have ONE.
What children have nowadays and the amount they have is so concerning, and yet to my son that is “normal”.
All I can do as a parent is to advise them of their choices, let them remember what they eat each day, and educate them on what these foods can do to them.
I teach them to read food labels and make conscious decisions, as we do with everything else in life.
I know parents think that it is ok that children have lollies and sugary treats if they are running, and burning it off. But what they do not realise is that the amount of sugar they have is way too much – they only need a tiny amount to burn, plus the inflammation the sugar causes, the damage it has on their bodies.
Breakfast cereals themselves are the biggest culprit of sugar overload, and unfortunately that’s the first meal of the day, and it can go downhill from there believe me!
Sugar as we know is more addictive than cocaine, so it baffles me – parents wouldn’t be feeding their child cocaine, yet they feed them sugar?
That’s harsh I know, and it’s of no fault of the parents to be in this situation, as people in general have all been misled for decades on the way we should eat, what is healthy and what is ok for ourselves and our children.
Products that get a tick of approval, or heart health stamps are the worst for it!
It is such a disgrace that the major brands out there do not care about people’s health, all they are concerned about is lining their pockets with money.
The amount of temptation within the supermarkets and other retail outlets, having all the high sugared items at the checkouts, in reach of our children’s eyes is also an everyday battle for most parents.
It’s no wonder our health system is in crisis, the overload of sugar is everywhere.
All I want is for my children to live a life with great health.
This is why I am passionate about helping people and parents understand what foods are great for us and what foods are not.
I want to help parents to teach their children exactly what is “normal”.
If you need help please reach out and connect with me – this will be a huge step in the right direction.
To your health
Kerrie
Professional Health, Fitness and Wellness Coach.
