Guest guest Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 My husband and I are struggling after going RAW with our older boys. They are 10 and 12 and have no desire to change their eating. They are constantly wanting us to take them to old haunts like McDonald's and Mexican food. We used to eat out alot. They are tired of my homemade meals even though I am trying to come up with the best kid-friendly dishes I can find. I have been reading that I shouldn't force them to eat healthy foods and just be a good example. However, should I be expected to take them out for junk food? Also, it has been pricey switching to RAW (because I am purchasing many products rather than making everything to make my life easier and this diet doable in the beginning) and we don't have eating out in our budget. On a personal level, I also struggle when I take my son to McDonald's and have to watch him eat a Big Mac because then I start to crave them. What have other families done when the adults want to make the switch and the kids are older and don't? Thanks for any help. Beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 I have been raw for about 5 months now. My family is not. My husband tries all my food but likes to have a hot meal. My kids are coming around. I try to involve them in preparing the food. That way they are more eager to try it. I have found a few things my oldest (almost 10) really likes. For the most part, when the want a snack between meals the only thing available to them is fruit. If they don't want fruit then I assume they aren't really hungry. Both of my kids have started eating salad and some raw vegetables. I haven't forced them, I just offer whatever I am eating and sometimes they try it. More often that not they find they like what I am eating and little by little they are asking for more. I am hoping someday they will want more and more. My older daughter is definitely paying more attention to how food makes her feel and is now starting to refuse some of the foods she used to ask for when her little sister requests them. Keep up the good work. I find if my kids really, really want something from a fast food chain its easier to let them have it (occasionally) and bring it home where I have my food. When they do get something, I explain to them that it isn't a good food choice and what they are doing to their bodies. Then I ask them how they feel after they are done and again in about 30-60 minutes. Then I tell them how I feel now when I eat and how I use to feel when I ate that garbage. Its starting to make a difference and I think it will ultimately lead to them having a better lifestyle. Good Luck. Tammy On Oct 4, 2006, at 9:04 PM, Beth Mouser wrote: > My husband and I are struggling after going RAW with our older boys. > They are 10 and 12 and have no desire to change their eating. They are > constantly wanting us to take them to old haunts like McDonald's and > Mexican food. We used to eat out alot. They are tired of my homemade > meals even though I am trying to come up with the best kid-friendly > dishes I can find. I have been reading that I shouldn't force them to > eat healthy foods and just be a good example. However, should I be > expected to take them out for junk food? Also, it has been pricey > switching to RAW (because I am purchasing many products rather than > making everything to make my life easier and this diet doable in the > beginning) and we don't have eating out in our budget. On a personal > level, I also struggle when I take my son to McDonald's and have to > watch him eat a Big Mac because then I start to crave them. What have > other families done when the adults want to make the switch and the > kids are older and don't? > > Thanks for any help. Beth > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 Hi, My kids too are adapting to the change in our diet. Like the other email said get the kids involved. It does make a world of difference. As far as fast food...we watched the documentary called 'Super Size Me' about a guy going on a month long McDonald's diet. Our library had the movie. Apparently our middle schools are showing it as part of health class. It is rated PG-13 which won't be appropriate for some kids. But it does have some shock factor that our kids will remember. And will discourage them from wanting those foods. It does use the f word once, I think and he and his girlfriend discuss the change in their bedroom activities since he went on the diet. Also, just last week my daughter (age 9) was concerned about her b-day breakfast. We used to let them pick a sweet cereal or a donut. She was trying to figure out a good raw donut food. This is what she came up with...take an apple and core it (leave it whole and take out only the core), slice it into 1/4 inch slices and sprinkle with cinnamon and very finely chopped nuts. It looked great on the plate and she was so proud of herself, oh and they were good, too! Keep encouraging your kids in the way of raw. Pam Get your email and more, right on the new .com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 When we went raw the kids were the same age, but thankfully they had been vegetarian for about 5 years. Maybe that is where you start? Give up one thing, milk, meat, pick one. Bring them into the decision making process. Then lay down some strict rules about junk food. Maybe ONE day a month they can go out for crap food. And I certainly would not drive them there!!! You could always get " Diet for a New America " video and show them open heart surgery and the doc pulling fat out of the guys arteries. My kids thought it was so gory it was great. Really made an impact on them and they told all their friends who wanted to see it too. OR Spurlock's movie - " Supersize Me " - he ate MacDonald's everyday 3x a day for 30 days and almost killed himself! They show that in the high school and the kids really watch and I've had a few discussions after with certain kids. Don't know if any of them gave up meat, but it planted a seed. My kids were really good about it and while they are not 100%, I know they eat way more fruit and salads than their peers. They are 22 & 24 now and come home looking for a salad. Of course they come home looking for anything to eat. It's a joke at their apartments that their mom is the only mom who gives toilet paper and fruit as a gift when I come to visit! Just some rambling thoughts - Shari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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