Is Low Carbing OK for Children?

I'm going to tell you how we deal with it with our children.

1. I have tried my very best to NOT project on them my past bad weight experience. It's so temping to say "Oh my gosh, that's just how I started out...she's going down the same path." That isn't going to happen, because you know better! And you're taking the RIGHT steps NOW.

2. My gut feeling is that my having issues with being carb addicted is (just like other addicitons) means they might too.

3. Dieting in any form is not good for kids unless their pediatrician specifically recommends it. Studies have shown that the more pre-pubescent girls' food is restricted, the more they eat.

4. Having said all that...

Cutting out junk carbs, reducing portions of whole-grain pasta, bread and cereal, and substituting those with high quality protein and lots of high fiber veggies and some fruit is, well, the DIET we should all be following!!!


I have several very specific recommendations:

1. Immediately stop buying any and all drinks containing sugar, including fruit juices. substitute with water, flavored water, flavored seltzer and - very occasionally - sugar free lemonade and the like as a treat.

If every parent did that, we'd see a hugh drop in childhood obesity in this country.

2. Immediately stop buying, on a regular basis, any type of junk food, almost all of which is junk (refined) carbs. For the purpose of this, crackers, fish crackers, graham crackers, and any and all FRUIT SNACKS (the little ones with the horrid dyes made into shapes that make kids want to buy them) are considered junk food. You may want to try whole wheat pretzels in moderation. But regular pretzels, made from white flour, are out.

Of course, you'll buy these occasionally.

But making them a regular part of your child's diet - as so many families do - is another reason our kids are getting fatter.

3. On most nights, serve 2 veggies with your protein instead of a veggie and a starch. But do serve moderate servings of pasta and potato occasionally for them! (unless potatoes are very small, a half is a portion!)

4. Keep them as active as possible.

Most of all, keep a postitive outlook, and keep telling your children how beautiful they are. Let them see you make good choices both in terms of food and activity.

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