A Little Bit of Everything
Eating in moderation can mean different things for everyone. As a dietitian and a Together Counts™ Ambassador, I believe that moderation means not depriving your food intake, or life of anything that you love. Not allowing yourself to eat a certain food can often lead to a backlash effect and cause you to eat more.
As a mother, I know firsthand that kids will eat what their parents eat and will be as active as their parents are. I have two wonderful little girls and want them to know its okay to eat a cookie in moderation, but also see cookies as not a big deal. As a parent, it is our job to be a role model and be the eater we want our kids to be. If our kid’s see us eating nutritiously, they will think that is the norm. If they see their parents living an active lifestyle, they will do the same. At the same time, I also want them to know that it’s okay to eat a cookie every once in a while.
The Together Counts™ program teaches that every food has its place in our lifestyle. I love that my family enjoys eating popsicles in the warmer weather. I also don’t stress about cupcakes and sweets at birthday parties. I always talk to my girls about tummy hunger and how their belly feels. If they eat a cupcake or ice cream, I always tell them to listen to their tummy and if it’s full, they can save the treat for a snack later or the next day. Talking about tummy hunger everyday teaches that it’s okay to have a variety of foods and the occasional treat, as long as they listen to their tummy and eat in moderation.
Estela Schnelle is a Registered Dietitian, Ambassador for Together Counts, mother of two girls, and editor of the blog Weekly Bite.
For more tips on living a life in moderation, check out these Together Counts Resources: