Your kid is fat!

[Booko]

i hadn't thought about that, i guess because i would be inclined to throw it into the bin as spam mail as opposed to read it :whrug:

Many parents would. But even if 10% of them read enough to pick up one useful tip, it would be worth the effort.

really? :cover:

Oh yeah. And when my mom worked in the school lunch program, the watered down the ketchup as well. It saved money. My mom refused to do it. She thought that chosing between lying through her teeth and harming the kids, that she'd be more willing to answer to Jesus for the lying than harming the kids.

well, our country has Jamie Oliver , who is bumping up school meals, although sadly i've not been keeping track of his progress.

I've learned my kids will eat anything if you just put garlic on it. I don't do it all the time, because I don't want them to think veggies are awful without the garlic either.

I don't recall ever running into garlic in school foods. If you were lucky you got black pepper, and probably not that.

But that's America. We'd sell our souls just for an extra buck. We sure as heck do sell our health and wellbeing for that reason.

 

[Booko]

Diet drinks are really the only option for me in a lot of situations. It's not like I can drink a glass of orange juice instead...that still has too much sugar in it.

I have the exact same limitations. I can't drink juice either. Well, I drink 100% cranberry juice sometimes to flush the kidneys, but that's not exactly high in carbs either *pucker*.

I have tea (which I happen to like really weak) with nothing in it. I try to limit my coffee, because that has ill effects on hypoglycemics too.

In hot weather I drink Perrier with a bit of lime juice in it. Club soda is a cheaper alternative. Try something like that out in place of diet drinks. You might find you like it just as well.

I have a friend that makes lemonade with real lemon juice (no sugar) and then uses stevia as a sweetner. Stevia is an herb that is amazingly sweet, but won't mess you up like the fake sweetners can. You can usually find stevia drops in health food stores. One little bottle lasts a long time. I have a stevia plant in my front herb bed, and occasionally give a friend of mine bits of it, as she needs it. I don't use it myself, because I just have gotten to the point where I don't like to drink anything sweet anyway. You could grow your own stevia in a pot most of the year where you are. It dies back for a few months here in Atlanta.

I do drink a lot of water though. One thing that people don't realize is that diet sodas are just as bad for your teeth as sugar sodas...it's the acid that's the problem.

Even more, they don't realize that chemically-made sodas are leach calcium from your bones and are linked to arthritis. Funny thing, but the more soda someone drinks, the more likely they are to have arthritis and osteoporosis later on.

I had to have an x-ray of my knee when I was just 40, and you'd think I was a modern medical miracle or something, because the radiologist came up all excited "there's no sign of arthritis, and at your age!" Yeah, no kiddin. I always hated soda as a kid. I like bubbly stuff sometimes, but it's limited to non-alcoholic beer and mineral water anyway, and even the beer is mostly off limits, because it's a carb. Sometimes with really hot Mexican food though...something beer-like just goes better.

Mineral waters don't mess up your system like the phosphoric acid in sodas well. I mean, c'mon -- phosphoric acid is used in industry to clean metals. Now...why would anyone want to consume that? *shudder*

But if all you can afford is club soda and bottled lime juice, hey, you do what you can.

I want to say that you always have to do your own research. Everyday I learn something new about myself that should have been a huge red flag that I have diabetes.

Yeah, same with me and the food allergies. I read everything under the sun, and still missed it totally. Wow.

And I had no idea just how close I was to Type II diabetes. I thought my hypoglycemia had gone away because I didn't get the shaky symptoms. Nope! That's a sign that you've gotten a LOT worse...

In fact, I was just asked what the signs were and I looked some up and found signs that I have that I didn't even know were signs! Even now that I'm diagnosed, doctors are failing to tell me exactly what can be connected to diabetes.

Well, and they won't tell you that it's possible you don't have to live with this the rest of your life either, because they don't now that.

I know so-called "alternative" doctors that have "cured" people of diabetes. It doesn't work for everyone. For some people, they're just too messed up to come back from it.

The problem is, even if someone had insurance, the insurance wouldn't pay for it.

I could've paid off my mortgage entirely on the money I've spent on healthcare in the past few years. $30K a year is quite a financial hit. For some people -- that's the entire family budget for a year.

But hey, it was either that or die, so that kinda made the choice easier. At least we had the resources to pursue that choice. Quite frankly, I think most people don't.

 

[Booko]

I liken it to our how we must change out attitude on the environment in order to save it. We must change and challenge everything we've ever been taught about how we eat and what is good for us. So I still think ignoring the problem is only going to make it worse.

:yes: The problem is so pervasive, putting the odd bandaid on it isn't even coming close to what we need to do.

It's exactly like the environmental challenges. We're up against big money that's bought our gov't.

I honestly don't think we're going to see major changes until the masses of Americans wake up and realize just who is really running this country.

That doesn't mean we should do what little we can in the meantime, but let's make the effort at least worth it.

I didn't think the BMI thing was effective, and might actually be harmful.

There is some movement on the school lunch area, and moves to remove soda machines from schools. I'd rather put my efforts there, as they're more likely to make a difference.

Even if some kids come to school with hohos and twinkies, they will still be seeing the message of "what good food is" every day.

 

[Ðanisty]

Well, luckily I'm barely diabetic...lol. My doctor thinks I can probably come back from it if I really change all my habits. I'm trying...lol. I've actually lost 25 lbs. since Thanksgiving.

 

[XAAX]

I think if your kid is fat, you know it...I am just guessing...The U.S. does have a problem with overweight children and adults...We should do something to help the problem...How about weight limits at fast food resturants...If you are this tall and weigh this much you can't super size it...lol...:run:

 

[SoyLeche]

I think if your kid is fat, you know it...

I'm not so sure. I doubt many people see others as being "overweight" untill they are actually "obese".

 

[XAAX]

I'm not so sure. I doubt many people see others as being "overweight" untill they are actually "obese".

This is true...sad, but true...The worst part of it is people who are overweight often over feed their children causing a cycle...

 

[Green Gaia]

Both my children have speech difficulties. I didn't realize it because I was with them all the time; I knew what they were saying (which no doubt I'll now be called a lousy parent for not knowing they had a problem). Until it was otherwise pointed out to me how severe it was, I thought if I didn't make a big deal out of it they would just grow out of it too. But it doesn't work that way. Me correcting their speech didn't work. and this is not something they can correct on their own. They need specialized help. My son especially is teased for his speech. He is teased even more because he has to leave the regular class and go do speech therapy twice a week. I wish I could afford a private therapist, but I can't. So he must do therapy at school. Should I instead insist he stay in class and not get the special attention he needs so that he is not teased even more, even though his speech therapist says if his speech is not corrected soon, it may never be? Should I just ignore his speech and *hope* he figures it out on his own?

 

[Quoth The Raven]

Which is why people who believe that government should solve all our problems for us are trying to get government to ban all kinds of things that are "bad for us". Where does it end? Furthermore, once the government gets more involved in the Health Care industry, they are going to be even more inclined to outlaw everything "bad". Eventually, we'll have no choice how we eat. We'll eat and drink only what the liberals tell us we can eat and drink and that scares the hell out of me. What if I want a beer with a hamburger? Well, that isn't good for me. If the government is paying for my health care, then they'll want to prevent me from doing things that aren't good for me. So what? They ban hamburgers and beer?

Cobblers. Show me a country with government health care that doesn't have a Maccas. Or a pub.

 

[XAAX]

Both my children have speech difficulties. I didn't realize it because I was with them all the time; I knew what they were saying (which no doubt I'll now be called a lousy parent for not knowing they had a problem). Until it was otherwise pointed out to me how severe it was, I thought if I didn't make a big deal out of it they would just grow out of it too. But it doesn't work that way. Me correcting their speech didn't work. and this is not something they can correct on their own. They need specialized help. My son especially is teased for his speech. He is teased even more because he has to leave the regular class and go do speech therapy twice a week. I wish I could afford a private therapist, but I can't. So he must do therapy at school. Should I instead insist he stay in class and not get the special attention he needs so that he is not teased even more, even though his speech therapist says if his speech is not corrected soon, it may never be? Should I just ignore his speech and *hope* he figures it out on his own?

I am going through the exact same thing Maize. I have a son that just started pre-K. Everyone keeps telling me that he needs special help with this. I know he is slow in developing his speech. I also know that he is very intelligent. I was the exact same way when I was a child. Just like my son, I didn't start talking till I was 4. It did not have any long term effect on my speech or my development so I am not sure to subject him to the school training either.

 

[Booko]

I've taken various classes that taught nutrition as part of the course and it was always garbage like "pizza can be a great way to get dairy, grains, vegatables, and meats together" and such.

Yup. That's a common thing in "health" classes.

The one I loved was the A.M.A. handout my pediatrician gave to Eibhlan. It had a paragraph about good sources of calcium. "Ice cream" was on the list. (Talk to someone who actually knows nutrition, and they'll tell you that calcium in ice cream won't be taken in by the body...goes right through...sorry.)

Anyway, the doc came in and Eibhlin nailed him on it. Among the questions she asked:

- Why would any doctor actually *recommend* a patient eat ice cream?
- Don't you realize that *all* of these are dairy products? I'm allergic to dairy. Much of the population is lactose intolerant. You tell black people to eat this stuff?
- Why didn't they include green leafy veggies like spinach, kale and collards as sources of calcium. This is the South! We eat stuff like that here. Especially your black patients who mostly have no business going near dairy. And me.

He was left quite speechless.

It was all I could do to keep a staight face. Good think we played a lot of poker during those 24-hour syntheses in chemistry. I have a fair poker face.

It's only now that I'm trying to lose the extra weight I gained in junior high and high school that I'm learning how almost everything I learned in school about nutrition is wrong and being a college student, it's so hard for me to get the food that's right because it's hard for me to afford and the school cafeteria doesn't have many healthy foods and when it comes to vegatables, they tend to be of poor quality.

Hm...we might start a new thread over in the Health or Cooking section on surviving through college on a limited budget. I did a lot on a very little while in college to get food that wouldn't make me feel downright ill. We could all trade some tips I'm sure, but I don't want to derail this thread even more...

Heck, the schools can't even teach history correctly, how can we expect them to teach proper, healthy habits?

Exactly!

 

[nutshell]

history is a point of view

 

[Booko]

Furthermore, once the government gets more involved in the Health Care industry, they are going to be even more inclined to outlaw everything "bad".

Um, actually RFX, the gov't is partially owned and operated by the healthcare industry.

And they are *very* interested in keeping things that are "bad" out there.

The sell more products and services that way.

Think about it. From a purely business point of view.

What if I want a beer with a hamburger? Well, that isn't good for me.

Actually, a beer and a hamburger might be exactly what you need. There is no "one size fits all" diet plan. That's what makes the "food pyramid" such a crock.

If the government is paying for my health care, then they'll want to prevent me from doing things that aren't good for me. So what? They ban hamburgers and beer?

Nah. Let them do public service announcements and put out publications to educate people. Then let people decide what works for them.

Remember, the lawmakers like beer and burgers too. They don't ban anything they also like to consume.

Can we hear from some of the folks here who live in places that has socialized medicine? Does the gov't tell you what you can and can't eat? Or refuse to treat you because you've been naughty and had a beer and burger?

 

[Booko]

I was thinking more of banning junk food advertising to kids and the sale of it in schools and promoting healthy foods and diets instead.

Oh, I'd support that. And be sure to include cereal in the defintion of "junk food."

Trans fats do need to be banned however. There is no need for that poison in our foods.

I think this will happen anyway, as consumer demand changes. If NYC manages to make it stick, many food companies will change, because it just isn't economically sensible for national chains to make 2 different lines of food. If they want to do business in NYC, they'll just change the food products. And I expect that other cities will be looking at this too.

I have to laugh about the trans fats thing. Anyone remember when doctors told you NOT to eat butter because it had cholesterol, and you should eat margarine instead? :biglaugh:

 

[UnTheist]

[/color]
Oh, I'd support that. And be sure to include cereal in the defintion of "junk food."

Why is cereal junk food?

 

[Booko]

As strange as this may sound, bringing attention to their differences is not going to make them improve their health. They will either decide that they're already doomed and go straight to comfort food or they will do something drastic like anorexia and bulemia. The best case scenario is that they won't change a thing!

I think you're right about this, Danisty. This is exactly what I would expect as well.

Even with adults, having someone come at you all the time often makes people react by saying, "well what the heck, I might as well do it anyway and have fun at it."

That's true with diet issues or sex or drinking or smoking or many other things in life.

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Why is cereal junk food?

A lot of cereals, healthy or not, will add high-fructose corn syrup, or cane juice, or just plain sugar............some will even proudly print organic cane juice - as if that's soooo much better.



Peace,
Mystic

 

[UnTheist]

A lot of cereals, healthy or not, will add high-fructose corn syrup, or cane juice, or just plain sugar............some will even proudly print organic cane juice - as if that's soooo much better.



Peace,
Mystic

It isn't as nearly as bad as a bag of potato chips. I still wouldn't qualify it as junk food.

 

[Booko]

So why Trans fats and not high fructose corn syrup which prevents the burning of fat? Why not ban sugar from various foods?

You have no idea how happy I'd be if they banned high fructose corn syrup. I might even be able to buy a bloody bottle of ketchup or a jar of pickles again. As it is, I have to make all of that from scratch myself now. You'd think I was living in 1900, the way I cook.

That aside, I hereby predict that high fructose corn syrup will be the next "fad" to remove from foods.

Why not ban sugar? Simple. We've been eating that for centuries and it's not chemically twisted fake food.

I just don't trust the government to ever draw the line.

The problem is, RFX, I face the very real consequences of trying to find food I can actually eat, because the labeling is so tragically off. There are people with food allergies so serious that they can be killed by trace amounts. And it's not reflected on the label.

So...what are we supposed to eat? Dog my heels for a week and you'll get just how stupid it is. I'd settle for the gov't having some actual labelling requirements, frankly.

I don't even know if I can wipe my arse with a brand of toilet paper until I call the company and ask if they've put cornstarch on it and *hope* they give me the correct answer.

My life is nothing but one big fricking restriction, because *business* doesn't want to be truthful about the materials they're using to make the food they sell.

All we'll get is more and more restrictions. Especially if government nationalizes the health industry.

With our current state of gov't (regardless of party) I'm not sanguine about that idea either.

 

[Booko]

Well, luckily I'm barely diabetic...lol. My doctor thinks I can probably come back from it if I really change all my habits. I'm trying...lol. I've actually lost 25 lbs. since Thanksgiving.

Wow! That's really great!

Yeah, if you're barely diabetic, you can come back from that.

You'll soon get used to the diet changes, and they'll become second nature. I thought it would be really tough, especially when the dairy allergy changes hit about the same time, but it was easier than I thought, and I automatically ended up with a healthier diet.

Of course, my good friend was dealing with discovery of gluten/soy allergy at the same time, and I can't tell you how handy it was to pick up the phone and just vent when needed.