We did a lot of dining out during the long weekend so it’s nice to get back to meals at home. Nothing too exciting this week. I’m taking advantage of Big A’s new interest in shrimp with Italian night. And the weather has suddenly turned warm so we might barbecue on Friday.
For more weekly meal plan ideas see Org Junkie.
What’s Cooking This Week?
Tuesday: Tomato Cheesy Pasta with Shrimp, fruit and a salad
Wednesday: Kids’ Choice
Thursday: Salmon Sticks, roasted sweet potatoes, fruit and salad
Friday: Southwest Turkey Burgers, baked fries, with roasted asparagus
Weekend: Make your own pizzas (we eat out one night and eat in the other)
More from Cooking Light…
I’m so hungry!
Lately Little D has been talking about how hungry he is. Sometimes he states a general hunger but he often says he’s hungry for something. I’m hungry for chocolate. I’m hungry for muffin. I’m hungry for cookie.
It can be hard when your child says they’re hungry — it definitely pulls on the parenting emotional strings. But research shows that around 3 children become more sensitive to environmental cues of food intake. And it takes a while to match hunger and satiety language to what they are feeling physically. So they may say they are hungry because they want to eat a desirable food, are bored or even when they experience uncomfortable feelings.
What helps me get through this stage is structured meals, letting my children know the next eating occasion is around the corner (and that it’s okay to be hungry!). If the mealtime is far away, I offer fruit. But Little D hasn’t been taking the fruit and hasn’t been eating any more at meal time after claims of hunger, which tells me he’s testing the waters.
Basically, he’s trying to take over my job of deciding what and when to eat, and I’m not letting him. I do always try to incorporate the things he likes in sensible ways. Big A went through this around age 3 too — but over time it got better.
Anyone else experiencing this?
New Weighty Research
You may have heard about the new research revealing that people in the overweight BMI category were found to have the least chance of dying compared to those who are obese or at normal weight. I interviewed the lead researcher of the study to get the details in this recent WebMD post.
Another study published in Pediatrics found that overweight adolescent kids (14-18 years) seeking weight loss treatment experienced a great deal of weight-based stigmatization. Mostly from their peers (92%) and friends (70%) but also from adults such as sports/PE teachers (42%), parents (37%) and teachers (27%)!!
I just think we have lost the big picture — overly focusing on weight as the gold standard of health. It seems odd to me, at a time that we have worked to tame so many prejudices, that weight stigmas remain so acceptable and common. I think it’s because people view weight as something someone can control — and that somehow shaming will motivate them (research shows this couldn’t be further from the truth!).
I plan on spending some time posting about this subject soon. What do you think about it?
Have a good rest-of-the week!
I think the biggest problem with the web MD article is that BMI is only one indicator of health/obesity. It does not take into account body type, percent body fat, sugar or cholesterol level, just to name a few other measures. So saying that people with higher bmi’s live longer doesn’t really say anything. I could say people with purple hair live longer and it could be equally true. A true life example: my hubby has a high BMI, putting him in the obese range. The rest of his stats are in the normal range…because he is a weight lifter with a high muscle mass and low percentage of body fat. But again, according to BMI he is obese.
Krista — that is actually the point of the WebMD article — that BMI is a weight category but not a health one. The study didn’t look at such health factors which is important. I think we need to do a better job looking at the whole person and not just weight when it comes to health. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for the discussion about your son’s “I’m hungry” phase. My 4yo has been in this phase for the last year and it is driving me crazy. I will follow your advice and try to stay the course.
Also, definitely agree with you on the weight stigma and the need to refocus the conversation about eating and health in this country. It seems pretty obvious that the status quo–normalizing ridiculously unhealthy eating habits plus rampant fat-shaming–is not working.
I totally agree with Krista. Maybe it’s just me, but I think that health and weight should “work” together. I mean, I just aim to eat healthy and the right weight comes itself, make sense? So I’m not sure is BMI is actual useful as indicator. The only thing I not agree with is the fact that people with purple hair live longer. Just the fact they have that colour tells there’s something wrong, isn’t? 🙂 Anyway I’d love to hear more about it so, Maryann, if you will post something if future about this subject I’ll appreciate. Thanks.
Maryann,
What a wonderful treat to stumble across your website. As a working nurse and mother of a 22 month old, I find it sometimes challenging to keep mealtime fresh and new. Your website has inspired me. Thank you sooooo very much for the weakly planner. It is fabulous. Thanks for all that you do to help us mothers raise healthy eaters. It is so very important and appreciated!
C
Thanks Christie. You made my day!