Comments on: Food for kids…(what to pack for lunch, quick breakfast, and more…)

By: SK

SK — Sat, 29 May 2010 12:45:54 +0000

I am still in the “thinking about paleo” phase. One thing I have noticed is that I have been feeding my kids (ages 3 & 4) paleo most all the time. They would rather have plain steamed broccoli than anything else! Now, just have to get more serious about it for the whole family. thanks for all the great ideas!!!

By: Foundation CrossFit Summer Bodies Challenge » Blog Archive » Packing a lunch

Thu, 27 May 2010 04:27:49 +0000

[...] a little like a kid – some really great grab and go ideas in this post too. CHECK IT OUT! Food for kids… Category: Announcements, Articles May 26th, 2010 by marg (online) No comments [...]

By: Spinner

Spinner — Thu, 20 May 2010 14:06:31 +0000

Thank you for posting such wonderful lunch ideas! My family and I are looking to switch to a paleo diet. We have followed Nourishing Traditions now for a few years, but with my being a type 1 diabetic, there are still too many grains even with soaking and my blood sugars are erratic. Talked to my Endo on Monday and he agrees that the paleo/primal diet is probably best for me.

So in discussing it with my dh, he was concerned about what he would eat for lunch, since he is a local trucker and has to eat in his truck and needs quick things. Right now, he lives on peanut butter sandwiches, but he is willing to switch–and your kids lunches are a great place to start for him! Our 16 yr old daughter will also be making the switch, course she has been eating NT style now for quite a while and so I don’t think it will be too much of a shock to her system. Actually, she eats 3 eggs scrambled in butter every morning for breakfast, and she is 4’10 and 94 pounds and those eggs get her most of the way to lunch. At Nutrition break she eats some crispy almonds I have made.

I am so glad I found your blog–I am going to keep reading and adding your recipes to my cooking binder!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 14 May 2010 17:14:07 +0000

Hey Rachel!
I totally respect your opinion – and I agree to some extent – but I feel strongly that grain based foods are the major cause of all modern day illnesses, so why would I have something like that in my home? BUT – like I said in my original post, my kids can choose what they eat. When we go out to eat, to friends houses, or birthday parties, they can pick and choose what they like – I would never punish or scold my kids for their food choices – but the cool thing is, the longer we eat paleo, the less often I see my kids making poor food choices outside of the house. They like to feel good too and know that they don’t feel as great when they eat junk food. I am also educating my children about food and they understand why we do not have grain based foods or sugar filled foods in our house and mabye I am just lucky but I do not have any power struggles or problems with not having pasta with their meatballs as an option. If you have noticed from my pictures, my kids are always helping in the kitchen, always coming up with ideas, and loving the real food that we put on the table. My 14 year old wants to be a chef and is determined to have a gluten free restaurant someday. I think food issues come from parents forcing their kids to eat certain foods, making food a reward, and obviously by modeling bad eating behaviors. We do not have these issues in our home but I know a lot of people with standard american diets that do. The rates of childhood obesity and type II diabetes is disgusting, sad, and ridiculous. But I do respect and understand what you are saying and I can see for some familys, making the transition to paleo eating when their kids are in their teen years could be difficult, this is why explaining the reasons that we do not eat these foods is important rather then making it a “rule” or a control issue or something silly like that. We honestly do not put a whole lot of emphasis on the food that we eat – I shop, we cook together, we sit down, we eat it. That’s it, no fuss, life is filled with so many other distractions for kiddos, the less you fuss over something the less they will too. We all need to re-wire our thoughts on food – food is not the end all be all of happiness, food fuels for our bodies, brings families together, and food is the little secret to health that so obviously many of us are missing the boat on. Thanks so much for posting your honest opinion, that’s what this blog is all about, a safe place to say what you think, share ideas, and learn together how to feed our families the best way we can!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Fri, 14 May 2010 00:32:25 +0000

I don’t know if anyone is still reading the comments to this post or not, but here goes.

I strongly disagree with the posters who advocate telling teenagers what they can and cannot eat. If kids want to eat pasta with their meatballs, and they’re willing to cook it themselves, then they should be able to. They’re old enough to make decisions about what they want to eat.

I became vegetarian when I was 14. My mom, lucky for me, was supportive and didn’t mind setting aside a portion of whatever she was cooking for dinner for me before she added meat for the rest of my family. I was vegetarian for 9 years.

Letting teenagers make their own decisions about their diet is an issue of respect. I’m not saying you have to fill the house with junk food, but if they want to cook grain-based foods for themselves, that should be their option.

By: Tuismomma

Tuismomma — Sun, 02 May 2010 23:50:47 +0000

I am interested in starting this type of lifestyle for my family which includes my 5 year old who has several food allergies. I have a very difficult time already finding things to feed her and he DR. says feed her what she is least allergic to. I can’t do eggs or nuts. I have been doing deli meats but she wont eat it if i dont send a “dip” with it. like ranch dressing (she is allergic to milk also). But she will come back with her complete lunch, starving because she will not eat it.Then her stomach hurts all evening after she eats when she get home usually a sandwich because of the air in it from not eating all day. You make it sound easy but it is not when you have food allergy challenges to add to it.

By: AJ

AJ — Sat, 01 May 2010 23:26:18 +0000

This is great Sarah, and so correct. Kids will only request what they know they can get! My girls (4yrs/2yrs) are adjusting well to eating paleo, however they still get their fixes here and there.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 16:08:03 +0000

Ah… another mother feeding Paleo to her children! I was feeling very lonely! LOL! My husband started Paleo two years ago, I jumped in 6 months ago and the kids have tagged along. They are 5 and 6. I feel fortunate that we started this way so young because bad habits weren’t cemented into their being. I do struggle with my 5 year old. But I chalk it up to the regular challenges of parenthood.
I really like the idea of having a stash of food in the car. I generally try and do it before leaving but a big batch is less work.
It was nice to read that your lunches are similar to mine. I’ve started putting meatballs in their lunches. We do have dairy so plain yogurt generally gets put in there too. If you come across any other grandness to throw in, I am all ears. Variety is nice.

So glad I found your blog! There are more and more women starting Paleo! You are one of the few with children!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:15:00 +0000

Most often just water but also almond milk now and then and sometimes I buy those juice boxes from Trader Joe’s that are diluted with water oh, and my oldest likes to drink iced tea now and then.

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 04:59:23 +0000

Curious to know what beverages your kids typically drink with their meals. Water, almond milk I’m guessing. Any juices (without added sugars n’ stuff). Thanks!