Rainbow Blog

Children Learn What They Live

posted by: Kia

Author’s Note: When Kia first asked me to go a guest piece on her blog, I had absolutely no idea what to write about. Numerous times I opened a Word Document and everything that came out sounded super silly and just now ME. Then I saw something and instantly wanted to share it on her blog! Enjoy!

One of my favourite quotes by Dr. Phil is “Children learn what they live.” When he said this, it had nothing to do with eat healthier food. But the quote can still relate to eating habits and the choices our children see us make. If all our children see are their parents making horrible choices in the food and drink department, they’re going to think that it’s ok for them to do the same.

I make, for the most part, horrible snacking decisions. I would rather pour a bowl of Humpty Dumpty Cheesies and open up a can of Root Beer. Mmm how I love root beer! When it comes to meals, however, I eat pretty well and so do our children.

But are we getting enough fruits, vegetables, milk/dairy, meat and grains into our bodies? Oh sure, we could look at the Canada’s Food Guide (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/alt_formats/hpfb-dgpsa/pdf/food-guide-aliment/print_eatwell_bienmang-eng.pdf) but there are always things pictured on the guide that I wont eat and neither will our children.

I stumbled across a nifty gadget on the Health Canada website that had me looking at the Canada’s Food Guide in a brighter light. You take a several minutes and make a few choices on your favourite foods (watch it though because you can only choose a specific number of examples) and it creates your own Personal Food Guide (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/myguide-monguide/index-eng.php).

How much easier is that? You can actually look at your Personal Food Guide and SEE your favourites and how many of those favourites you need to be eating each day. I went ahead and did one for me and one for our six-year-old son. I’ll be making one up for our three-year-old daughter and for my husband.
Pair that with the Today I Ate a Rainbow Kit (http://www.todayiatearainbow.com) and you’re all set to go! Well, ok, you’re on your way to eating healthier. Now to build up your will power and stop reaching for that chocolate, those chips or that can of pop, or two, or three J

xo Alex
My Life, My Glory; www.myglorymylife.blogspot.com