McD Spinoff: How/when do you teach your kids about good/bad foods?

At what age do you really teach your DCs about good/bad foods?

I'm a single mom and yea, sometimes DS gets fast food. Maybe 1-2x per month.

When we drive past a McD's he always points and wants to go - he's 3.

I tell him we are eating at home and that's that.

He eats a lot of fruit, veges w/ dinner and a few snacks (fresh greenbeans, frozen peas ).

How do I let him know which are the good/healthy choices? I'm pretty sure he doesn't care about calories or fat content.

Re: McD Spinoff: How/when do you teach your kids about good/bad foods?

I thnk it's NEVER too early.. for ex. "this will make you grow tall and strong" for little ones.. thats' how they will understand it.

Re: McD Spinoff: How/when do you teach your kids about good/bad foods?

I just tell him how good things like fruits, veggies, grains, milk, water, etc make him grow big and strong. I also let him know that other foods (treats, cookies, etc) are okay every once in a while but our body really needs the good stuff. Some things I will admit I refer to as 'junk' and the other day my DH had some twizzlers and my 3 year old asked him for some of his 'junk'

Re: McD Spinoff: How/when do you teach your kids about good/bad foods?

This is something that I can go on and on about LOL...but I will keep it short

Honestly...I think the only way to really teach them is by example. Kids are most influenced by their parents early on so if they see us eat right then they will do so as well. Don't label a food as bad or good...cause once it becomes 'wrong' they will want it even more.
I never tell my 5 1/2 year old she CAN'T have something (other than gum because she choked on a piece when she was younger and till today I cant get that sight out of my head. But of course this is the one thing she is OBSESSED with)
First time I took DD1 to McD's was right before she started kindergarten...and thats only because I didnt want her to be the weird kid who never ate that stuff. needless to say she likes it...cause really...who doesnt? LOL. But I allow her to choose...if she wants french fries then she has to have regular milk. If she chooses to have the fruit then I allow her to have the chocolate milk.


I can go on but I said I would keep it short

Re: McD Spinoff: How/when do you teach your kids about good/bad foods?

Posted by Twstdvenus1

This is something that I can go on and on about LOL...but I will keep it short

Honestly...I think the only way to really teach them is by example. Kids are most influenced by their parents early on so if they see us eat right then they will do so as well. Don't label a food as bad or good...cause once it becomes 'wrong' they will want it even more.
I never tell my 5 1/2 year old she CAN'T have something (other than gum because she choked on a piece when she was younger and till today I cant get that sight out of my head. But of course this is the one thing she is OBSESSED with)
First time I took DD1 to McD's was right before she started kindergarten...and thats only because I didnt want her to be the weird kid who never ate that stuff. needless to say she likes it...cause really...who doesnt? LOL. But I allow her to choose...if she wants french fries then she has to have regular milk. If she chooses to have the fruit then I allow her to have the chocolate milk.


I can go on but I said I would keep it short

Re: McD Spinoff: How/when do you teach your kids about good/bad foods?

Never too early. My good friends daughter is 3 and she orders shrimp cocktail when we go out to eat instead of french fries and chicken fingers.

I on the other hand, believe moderation is good. When we go out to eat, we get a salad first, dd will eat the tomato and cucumber and THEN we order her mac and cheese, pasta or chicken.

DD gets French fries from Wendys once a week. I see no harm in it. It's a treat and she enjoys it, she knows that after school we go. When we get home she has avocado, tomato all the good stuff...but I see no harm in a treat once a week. And NO I will not let it get out of control, that would ruin the "treat" part of it.