I feel stressed out any time my kids have to attend a birthday party or
some other activity where I know there will be food offered that isn’t
what I would typically give them. I don’t want to single them out but I
also don’t want them to eat that processed food. How can I handle it?
As both a mother and a dietitian, I understand your feelings. When you work
hard to regularly provide your kids with healthy foods, it can be a challenge
when you face events where everything is to the contrary. However, this scenario is a good opportunity to explain to your child how we can enjoy ‘once-ina-while’ foods in moderation and allow them to feel comfortable (rather than
fear) when faced with a similar situation in the future. If they eat healthy the
majority of the time, recognize that one day, one meal or one party is not what
breaks the strong foundation you have been building.
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